The long-awaited opening of the 2026 season was an exceptional display of Shoreham success as we kicked off the year in record-breaking style…
We began with a strong performance from our J16 girls who claimed a super silver, followed by the J16 boys who rowed to an easy gold while the J14 mixed quad rounded out the podium with bronze. Five of our Juniors took part in their very first coastal regatta, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.
We also saw resounding success across the single sculling events, with a brilliant victory in the women’s Novice Sculls and a matching gold in the Open Novice Sculls. In perhaps the standout sculling performance, our very own Junior Interregional bronze-medallist soared to a hugely convincing victory in the Open Junior Sculls despite being just 15 years old! To round it out, our women’s captain took first place in the Women’s Senior Sculls which was matched once more by the open squad who placed first and third in their Open Senior Sculls. Across these events, Shoreham scored a massive five out of six potential trophies.
Swapping one rower for two, we placed first in the Open Senior Pairs with an all-star combo, whilst our two crews in the Women’s Senior Pairs followed it up with a nail-biting performance, racing each other to a canvas on the line to secure silver. It was also the first ever pairs race for two of our junior women, and we are so excited to see what they’ve got in store for the rest of the season. In the doubles, we fielded a six-strong fleet, with our women’s combo taking first place and our open squad securing both first and second.
However, our greatest success came in the fours events. The novice men soared to a brilliant first place, followed by the junior men who also secured first, as well as the JS men who convincingly took gold, and finally the senior men who claimed a fiercely won, coveted victory in the open senior fours. It’s safe to say the depth and strength of our open squad was on full, first-place display as we swept the open events. On the women’s side, a super silver in the Novice Fours and promising performance across the junior final and novice heats showcased their up-and-coming sweep talent. Yet, the standout performance was the inaugural victory of the Women’s JS Four, ensuring SRC was at the forefront of this new chapter in CARA history. Picking up where they left off, the reigning South Coast champions also claimed a victory in the Women’s Masters 40+ Four, and the women rounded it off with a gold and bronze in the Senior Fours, bringing our tally to a brilliant seven victories in the fours events.
More than anything, though, it was the teamwork and club spirit that was the most impressive. From the Masters 50+ Fours to the Junior Pairs, we were the loudest on the beach by far.
At prizegiving, SRC lifted the Junior Aggregate (shared with Eastbourne), Senior Aggregate, Women’s Aggregate, and Grand Aggregate, as well as 16 individual trophies, establishing an (unofficial) Shoreham record.
What a day for the white and blue!
Standout Race: Open Junior Sculls
Best Moments: winning the inaugural Women’s JS Four, placing first and third in the Open Senior Fours, securing a double victory in the Novice Sculls
