There was exciting news for Dover Rowers Jo Johnston and Maria West-Burrows as they received confirmation that their performance at the British Rowing Offshore Championships in July had qualified them straight into the semi finals of the 2017 World Rowing Coastal Championships held at Thonon-les-Bains, France. They will be competing as GBR4 on the waters of Lake Geneva in the Coastal Woman’s Double Sculls event and will be facing competitors from 9 other countries. The Dover crew will be competing in the blue and white of Dover’s club colours as it is traditional for this tournament to represent both your club and country.

Whilst the rest of the club have entered off season training, Johnston and West-Burrows have been balancing work and family responsibilities as they train in Dover Harbour in preparation for their semi final on the Friday the 13th October. The heat will be based on a 4km multiple turn course with the final being run over a 6km course. The preparations have not been ideal given the temporary space restriction caused by the West Docks Development but both rowers are hopeful of qualification for Saturday’s final, although the present expected calm conditions are not in their favour.
Anyone interested in learning or returning to rowing should contact Dover Rowing Club via the Club’s website.