After several years absence, Dover Rowing Club entered 4 scullers in the Maidstone Small Boat Head race, which takes rowers from Allington Marina to the centre of Maidstone. Dover’s team of Chris Hall, Jo Johnson, Nick Bailey and Chris Price competed in heavier, shorter coastal sculls in their races against the river clubs. The event was divided into four divisions with different categories split across the grouping and in a time trail format. First on the water was Chris Hall rowing in the J18 class. Hall adjusted to this new style of racing and steadily closed on the pair boats ahead of him. At the first bridge Hall had overtaken one boat and was closing on a second before catching them at the second bridge on the course. After avoiding a capsized boat Hall sprinted for the finish line securing the fastest time out of the Dover Scullers. He was also the fastest single sculler in this division in a time of 11 minutes and 3 seconds and third in the J18 class. Johnson was competing as a single sculler for the first time at this event after previously racing in larger crew boats. Johnston worked hard through the first third of the event to maintain her position in the event order. In the second Johnston had a near miss with over hanging branches on one of the bends before crossing the line in 12 minutes 35 seconds and securing third place in the Ladies Novice race. The last division saw Bailey and Price pitted against each other, both rowers having previously competed in the event with Bailey racking up 40 appearances on the Medway. Bailey, rowing in the Intermediate class based on previous racing history, was the carrot for the younger Price to chase. By the first bridge it was clear that Price, racing in the Novice Category, was closing Bailey down, the catch happening near the second bridge, with Price having a several length lead at the finish. Price’s time of 11 minutes and 5 seconds secured him victory in the Men’s Novice class, whilst Bailey’s time of 12 minutes 50 seconds left him in third place in his group.