Over 100 crews from 8 different rowing clubs from across the South-East, from Southampton to Deal in Kent, descended on Shoreham this weekend as Shoreham Rowing Club hosted the annual Head of the Adur River Race. Held this year for the first time over both days of the weekend, the time-trial event was raced in the best and worst of rowing conditions.
Saturday heralded the inaugural Junior Head Race, over a shortened 1.5km course from the Adur Ferry Bridge to Shoreham Lifeboat Station.
With the sun shining, waters calm and not a breath of wind, conditions were perfect for what was some young rowers’ first ever race. Shoreham’s juniors performed extremely well on their home water and cheered on by parents and local supporters brought home 3 wins for the club. A very neat, clean row from the J14 mixed quad of Isobel, Alfie, Alex & Portia saw some of the youngest rowers take the fastest time in their event, Charlotte and Beth stormed home in the girls’ J16 double scull and Laurie, Matt, Amelia and Phoebe flew down the course take an easy win in the J16 mixed coxed four. It was a close call for the J16 girls’ coxed quad of Ezra Hulme, Charlotte Rose, Beth Buchanan and Imogen Mercer, who were pipped to the finish post by a Worthing crew by just 1 second; a solid performance though from a crew with a lot of potential for the coming regatta season.
Sunday’s main Head of the Adur event not only brought an increase in competitors and clubs, but also an increase in wind-speed, tidal surge and waves making the smooth, bright conditions of the day before a distant memory. Starting at the old tollbridge alongside Shoreham Airport and finishing at the Lifeboat Station, the longer 3.5km course was a real battle; a true test of grit and determination as crews in the first division fought not only the incoming tide but a 20mph headwind. Coping exceptionally well with the conditions were Shoreham’s Junior Ladies’ Pair of Roxanne Addison and Charlotte Pigg, who despite a lack of experience racing and steering the pair had a fantastic race to win their category in convincing style.
The turning tide and relentless wind saw conditions at the mouth of the Adur deteriorate to a huge, breaking swell and only the more experienced crews row up to the start line to race in Division 2. Tom Faith had an outstanding but eventful row in the Men’s Junior Single Scull, which despite being stopped by driftwood halfway down the course, saw him not only win his category but take home the second fastest time of the day. The Shoreham Senior Ladies Four of Sarah Bareham, Sally Hills, Gemma Stoner and Rachel Povey rowed home to a convincing win over main rivals Bexhill and the Junior Ladies Four of Charlotte Utting, Roxanne Addison, Charlotte Pigg and Harriet Chavasse once again put down their marker for the season with an easy win against Eastbourne by almost 2 minutes.
A total of 7 wins meant despite the weather Shoreham rowers shone on their home river this weekend. Shoreham Rowing Club would like to extend a big thank-you to all Shoreham residents who offered cheers and encouragement from the Adur Ferry Bridge, and a particular thanks to Shoreham Lifeboat, whose support and help was invaluable to the safe and successful running of the event, despite the hair-raising conditions at the finish.
Entries are now closed for Adur Head 214 – Contact our club Captain Sarah Povey for more info Captain@shorehamrowingclub.co.uk
Junior Head Race – Saturday 1st March 2014:
All categories in coastal boats, however entries in river boats are welcome to race for time. If there are 3 or more river entries in a category prizes will be presented.
| Division 1 – 09:30am | Division 2 – 11:00am |
| Boys J16 Coxed Quad Sculls | Girls J16 Coxed Quad Sculls |
| Mixed J14 Coxed Quad Sculls | Mixed J16 Coxed Fours |
| Girls J18, J16, J14 Single & Double Sculls | Boys J18, J16, J14 Single & Double Sculls |
RESULTS:
Adur Junior Head Race Results – Division1
Adur Junior Head Race Results – Division2
Head of the Adur Race – Sunday 2nd March 2014:
All categories in coastal boats (unless stated), however entries in river boats are welcome to race for time. If there are 3 or more river entries in a category prizes will be presented.
| Division 1 – 11:00am | Division 2 – 01:00pm |
| Mens Senior Fours | Ladies Senior Fours |
| Mens Junior-Senior Fours | Ladies Junior Fours |
| Mens Junior Fours | Ladies Novice Fours |
| Mens Novice Fours | Mens Senior Pairs |
| Open Veteran Fours | Mens Junior Pairs |
| Veteran 50+ Fours | Mens Senior Single Sculls |
| Ladies Senior Pairs | Mens Junior Single Sculls |
| Ladies Junior Pairs | Mens Open River Sculls |
| Ladies Open Single Sculls | |
| Ladies Open River Single Sculls |
Prizes will be presented in all categories receiving 3 or more entries before the closing date. Categories/statuses receiving insufficient entries will be amalgamated where possible.
Information to Clubs and Captains
Head 2014 Start Sheet (updated 27/02/14 @ 18:50)
RESULTS
Adur Head 2014 – Results Division 2
Adur Head 2014 – Results – Division 1