Rame Regatta 2018

21 Jul Rame Regatta 2018

Rame – what a party! Ahem – obviously what a weekend of awesome races and rowing.

So many rowers! 11 Ladies and 6 (+1) men.

The Ladies A team were very happy with Rosie’s return (from her travels in the Arctic), kicking off the Ladies A in style. Having a full crew of Nina, Rosie, Debs, Terrey, Sophie and Leiza. Coming 11^th with two heats and annoyed that one crew beat us on time by one second! Steve’s shouts of ‘every second counts’ whilst we were racing was true.

Then Ladies C and what a race. We had first races for Becky, Julie, Jo, and the wonderful Matlida. Others in the boat being Sophie, Jane and Kate. After some confusion of how to get Becky and Matilda in the boat and help from Help for Heroes – we were off! Mark coxed us home supporting and guiding our newest rowers, some of whom this was their first row in the sea. We came 12^th over two heats but having a proper tussle with Penlee Point (borrowed boat for the Clevedon ladies) which gave the newer rowers a real racing experience, we dug deep and held them off.

The Ladies Vets was a cracker of a race (Nina, Terrey, Debs, Julie, Jo and Leiza). With the amazing stroking of Nina they came home 6^th out of 16 – a sterling effort. It was a proper family affair with Leiza in one of the heats and her sister’s team Salcombe in the other heat. The vets were came out the boat buzzing knowing they had put in an excellent row. 

The men’s squad was a mix of 6 Clifton men and Bruce from Bristol. A few newer rowers Simon and Iain in their first/second regattas alongside Steve, Len, Mark and Andy. Asking the men who rowed where in each race proved unfruitful – clearly it was a blur of adrenaline and power. Men’s C beating local friendly rivals Portishead, the Men’s B was very exciting beating Charlestown, Sidmouth, Caran and Portishead again. Men’s Vets being the only result that clearly I was busy having a coffee, or some of the wonderful cakes that Rame were selling. Having said this each rower rowing in consecutive multiple races in the sweltering heat was a test of endurance.

Then the Mixed. Sophie’s first coxing – I did volunteer when it was realised that all the awesome coxes (Nina, Debs, Steve, Rosie and Mark) were all rowing in the Mixed. I mean they were all awesome rowers. They made my first coxing easy, perfect turns (having watched the boat in front of us make a hash of it) and bringing power when needed to push the other boats away. I speak for the crew when we say that it is great when regatta’s have mixed races as it’s a chance for a bit of fun: power of the boys and timing of the girls.

Then the party – it was awesome. Food at a local public house and then disco and dancing until way past our bed time. Some of us (me) had to find some friendly members of Bristol to walk us back to the campsite.