Saturday (3rd Feb) saw a busy day of racing in Durham. Four divisions with nearly 100 crews per division is a busy day for competitors, spectators and the organisers.
Hexham crews were well represented from singles to quads, with juniors, senior and masters crews. The conditions changed throughout the day, but the milder temperatures were welcome. Some divisions we were able to bask in the sunshine at the start by Prebends Bridge; others we surfed on waves that resembled the North Sea along the ‘race course’ section of the course.
With no opposition in the Masters class, the coxed quad comprising James, Tim, Phil and Michael were coxed by Elizabeth to contest the Open (B2) Class in Div Two, thus avoiding the worst of the wind and waves but encountering worthy and significantly younger opposition.
After a steady start, they developed a good consistent pace, and with the benefit of an experienced cox, survived the legendary Elvet Bridge unscathed, going on to finish 0.4 seconds off Sunderland City in first place! Along the way the crew were grateful for the continual coaching, working hard on the finish of their strokes and to keep their focus in the boat and on leaving various landmarks in their wake with a number of pushes!
Well done to all our members who took part and thank you to our two trailer drivers.
Results can be found here, special mention to James for his first medal, in a single no less! //www.durham-arc.org.uk/small-boats-head/
