Dover Rowing Club were in action at the weekend in the 100th Viking Shield Regatta in Herne Bay against six other CARA clubs. The main event is the Open Senior Pairs where crews compete for the Viking Shield and the right to host next year’s regatta. Jasper Mallet and Will Coleman competed for Dover. Their start was near disastrous as a wave knocked Mallet from his seat but his calm head meant he immediately regained it and they set off, chasing down the other crews. At the halfway point on the 2km course Dover’s crew had regained ground and made a sharp turn coming out in the lead. A hard push saw them extend their lead over Folkestone’s pair to gain a comfortable win as they crossed the line, securing the shield for the first time in decades for the club.

The Open Senior Four featured Jon Cook, Coleman, Mallet, Tom Stothart, coxed by Lee Stampton. They had a clean start moving quickly into their rhythm as they charged down the course. Through the turn they took advantage of the inside line and steadily increased their lead over Herne Bay to secure the win.
Stothart competed in the Open Senior Sculls event which saw a steady start parlay into a mid course lead. Comfortable through the turn, he made the run home look easy as he completed the clean sweep of the Open Senior titles.
Holly Hannington and Nikki Leggatt were nervous at the start of the Woman’s Pairs race. Heading off the line, pointing at the end of the pier, the pair followed an uncertain course towards the buoys. Despite this their power was clear. Coming out of the turn first, they powered down the course moving to a middle line and comfortably securing the win. This confidence boasting win bodes well for the coming season.
Dover had two crews in the Woman’s Novice Four. The more experienced crew of Ella Cook, Alex Henchy, Zara White, Lily Stafford-Edwards coxed by Stampton and Antya Markin, Debbie Thomas, Janice Bradford, Anna Gordon coxed by Cameron Mackintosh. The Stampton crew had a fantastic start moving rapidly into the lead with Macintosh’s crew starting well. Through the turn Stampton’s crew were being pushed by Herne Bay but were able to break the host clubs hearts as they steadily pulled away towards home, comfortably winning the race. Mackintosh’s crew had a great run finishing tenth in the largest field of the day.
Mallet scored the sixth and final win for the club in the Open Junior Sculls race. A great start saw him head into the turn ahead of the Deal sculler, although digging his blade in a little too deep gave Mallet a scare. Showing his maturity he recovered quickly and steady extended his lead to comfortably take the win.
There were some excellent performances from the age group crews in the U14 and U16 races. The U14 Quad Sculls crew of Riley Danko, Jess Clements, Hollie Castree, Holly Young coxed by Mackintosh took a good second place. U16 Girls Quad Sculls crew of Young, H Castree, Rhiannon Castree, E Cook coxed by Stampton came home in third. The U16 Sculls Quad Boys crew featuring Danko, Oliver White, Jack Castree, Sonny Varnes-Stone coxed by Mallet, finished second after a late charge failed to catch the leaders.
There were encouraging performances in the Woman’s Double Sculls with E Cook and Z White taking second and Hannington and R Castree taking third.
The Woman’s Junior Four of E Cook, J Bradford, Chrissy Purvis, Hannington coxed by Mackintosh raced well but couldn’t chase down the home crew, finishing second.
Thomas, Purvis, J Bradford, Leggatt coxed by Stampton raced well in the Woman’s Masters 40+ coming home fourth.
The Masters 50+ had a good outing with J Cook, Damion Napier, Steve Bradford, Paul Scholes coxed by Mallet finishing fourth.
A young Open Novice Four crew featuring O White, J Castree, Alex Sutherland, Varnes-Stones coxed by Mackintosh battled their way to seventh in their first sweep race.