The annual coming together of CARA and Hants and Dorset ARA at Southsea, saw two Dover rowers braving the early start. Chris Hall and Tom Stothart were met with beautiful early sea conditions for the heats that roughed up for the finals. Despite racing in borrowed boats the boy’s overall results were the best Dover RC have managed in recent years at this event.
In the heats for the Men’s Pairs, Hall and Stothart had to appeal for a restart after a crash in the first few strokes stopped two boats. The restart saw them get off quickly, easing ahead of the field, with a comfortable lead at the turn, and they secured a place in the final by coming home in first. With the rougher conditions of the final pushing crews inshore, the Dover boys chose to move out from their inside draw. A coming together with Southsea at the three quarter point on the outside leg saw them drop to 5th at the turn. The young rowers worked hard to run down those ahead of them but by half way back they were in a three way tie for second before laying the power down to come home comfortably in the runners up spot.
In the Junior Sculls Hall moved easily off the start and established himself in a qualifying position before dropping his rate to come home in the 4th qualifying spot. Hall moved strongly off the line and was battling the leaders. By the turn he was chasing the Bexhill rower whilst keeping an eye on the inside sculler from Deal. Pushing as hard as the conditions allowed Hall was unable to close the gap coming home second.
Stothart competing in the Novice Sculls moved comfortably through the qualifying round coming home in 4th. In the final Stotahrt flew off the start and had established a good lead as he approached the buoy turn. Unfortunately a terrible turn saw him come out with less than a length lead. The run home saw Southsea and then two Hants and Dorset scullers come past him leaving him in fourth, the second of the CARA scullers.
Dover RC would like to thank Deal and Herne Bay rowing clubs for lending boats to allow Hall and Stothart to compete.