After a successful season for Dover Rowing Club, the club has moved from regatta racing to winter training mode. With reduced water sessions and a focus on winter fitness the desire for competition has seen Dover return to the virtual racing against Bexhill, Eastbourne, Folkestone and Worthing. With the teams in virtual Cape Town the clubs are looking to complete the final legs of the round the world starting with a charge to St Helena, a distance of 3135 km. With rowing, cycling, running, walking and workouts all counting.

From the start it was a race between Dover and Folkestone with the lead flip flopping repeatly. As the race progressed Bexhill, Eastbourne and Worthing joined forces into a ‘Super Team’ which saw Dover drop briefly to third. A strong push from the club members saw Tom Stothart (263 km) and Chris Hall (233 km) placing 2nd and 3rd in the individual erg / rowing lists. Stothart and Hall (253 km) also featured in the top ten overall performers where they Kevin Ulyatt (254 km), Tony Burrows (233 km) and Nikki Leggatt (200 km). Maria West-Burrows (190 km), Cannelle Ulyatt (162 km) and Marie Cockerell (141 km) were also strong overall contributors. Bo Corby (79 km) was the leading junior member.

At the finish Folkestone and Dover crossed the line the same day, with Folkestone taking the honours, in one of the closest races of the virtual round the world race so far. Next leg St Helena to Cape Verde.

Dover Rowing Club are always keen to welcome new members, check the website for contact details.

Dover Rowing Club had 3 competitors at the World Rowing Coastal Championships held in Saundersfoot in Wales. Great British crews were competing against 22 other nations in the event racing in FISA sculls boats.
Jo Johnston and Maria West-Burrows competed in the Ladies Doubles Sculls event semi-final on day 2. Conditions were calm, with light winds handing the advantage to physically stronger crews as boat handling skills would be less of a factor. Johnston and West-Burrows were in heat 2 and found the race to the first turn challenging. They turned towards the back of the field, falling to 14th at the second turn, but were unable to improve through the 3rd turn and the slalom section to the finishing line. Johnston and West-Burrows finished the 4 km course in a time of 23 mins 30.2 seconds, qualifying for the B Final.

The rough and windy conditions of the B Final were more to their liking as a chaotic start for all boats saw Dover’s crew find their line and head to the first turn. With winds gusting to 40mph hitting the boat at 45 degrees towards turn one, Johnston and West-Burrows turned in 4th whilst being hit by large waves and strong winds at their side. On the race to turn two, Dover pushed past GBR05 to take 3rd place and close on FRA03 in 2nd . Johnston and West-Burrows, were unable to close the gap sufficiently and finished 3rd in a time of 35 mins 48.08 secs, ranked 20th in the world.

Club Captain, Tony Burrows, rowed with Jon Osborn from Eastbourne RC in the men’s event. Torrential rain impacted their heat as the crew missed the starting buzzer leaving them last off the beach. Carnage at the turn with a number of boats crashing, removed any chance of an A Final qualification for Burrows. Passing two GBR and one Peruvian crew the Burrows boat moved up to 10th finishing in a time of 22 mins 54.65 secs.

Burrows B Final in the calm of day two was a faster race which saw them chasing the Irish and Japanese crews directly ahead of them, with a Greek crew on their stern. Tight finishes saw Burrows come home 13th in a time of 21 mins 40.81 secs, ranking them 30th in the world, and the highest place GB crew in their event.
Congratulations to UL Tyrian Club whose Toyko Olympian crew were GB’s only winners in the Coxed Quad Sculls.

Dover Rowing Club captured six trophies at the Coast Amateur Rowing Association Presentation Dinner. Leading the way were the members and cox of the Men’s Junior Four championship winning crew, Sebastian Steele, Finn Cockerell, James Hale, Jasper Mallet and Freya Emmerson and single race substitute Max Arkell . The crew took home the championship trophy with Emmerson also securing the Coxswain of the year.

In addition, Hale and Mallet received the Men’s Junior Pairs championship trophy along with jointly winning the award for most points collected by a Junior Man.
The Junior Fours Crew, who started the season as Novices, had two early season wins before promotion which, combined with a Dover Regatta win from Oli Scrivener, Jacob Scrivener, Harley Scrivener, Sam Pile coxed by Paul Scrivener, led to Dover securing the Men’s Novice Fours title.

The largest trophy of the night was the Junior Aggregate; a points competition which Dover dominated this year. The Men’s Junior Fours squad of Steele, Cockerell, Hale, Mallet and Arkell contributed the lion share of the points, with contributions from Tom Stothart with two sculls wins, Chris Hall, Sam Pile, Matt Barnett, Eddie Briggs, Marie Cockerell, Jon Cook, Emmerson, Emily Harvey, Brendon Ulyatt, Kevin Ulyatt, Felicity Ulyatt (cox) and Maria West-Burrows.

The last Coast Amateur Rowing Association race of the season saw Dover’s Junior Senior squad race off for the title against Shoreham. Dover’s crew of Ben Gomm, Jon Cook, Chris Hall, Tom Stothart were coxed by Nick Bailey as their regular cox, Freya Emmerson. was unavailable. They had complied the most wins and points in the season and qualified for the South Coast Championships. The CARA Championship is decided on overall club results and Shoreham crews ended the season level with Dover.

There was apprehension within the Dover crew as three of the squad were still heavy legged after rowing 21 miles on Loch Ness last week. The race started well with the boats neck and neck until Shoreham pulled ahead at around 600m. Through the turn Shoreham had a three lengths lead. Although the return leg had been the Dover crew’s strength during the season, the fatigue showed as they were not able to perform their normal charge to the line leaving Shoreham to take the title.

Dover’s run this season started at Dover Regatta where Jon Cook had joined his younger club mates to make a run at the Junior Senior competition. With diaries not matching during the season, other club veterans switched into the crew, with Paul Scrivener and Matt Barnett helping to take wins at Deal and Folkestone respectively. Steve Woods helped them gain points at Herne Bay. The strong club spirit was able to drive the crew to the edge of a championship but it wasn’t enough on the day.

A large contingent of Dover Rowing Club raced in the ‘Monster the Loch’ event over a 21 mile course on the East Side of Loch Ness. There were 6 full Dover crews and a composite crew of two Dover, 2 Folkestone Rowers and a cox. 94 human powered vessels including rowing boats, kayaks and rafts took part. The event kicked-off with a mass start of all 94 crews in good conditions from Fort Augustus aiming for the finish line at Dores. Each crew was required to enter an individual crew name.

From the start Chris Hall and Tom Stothart as the ‘Cox Blocked’ set off in a double scull with the leading vessels aiming for a top 10 finish. At half way ‘Cox Blocked’ was the leading rowing crew before dropping to 2nd around the 14 mile mark. Fighting the conditions nearing the finishing line they were passed by a quad scull to finish 3rd amongst rowing crews and 7th across all competitors, in a time of 2 hours 47 minutes 16 seconds.

Dovers Ladies double sculls featuring Jo Johnston and Maria West-Burrows, competing as ‘Two Birds in a Boat’, would be Dover’s second crew across the line. The ladies, who have rowed internationally in coastal competitions, had a good race maintaining a consistent pace that saw them finish 42nd in a time of 3 hours 20 minutes 40 seconds.
Quad Sculls of Gem McKie, Freya Emmerson, Emily Harvey, Ella Day coxed by James Hale, competing as ‘Tony’s Angels’, had a really good row coping well in the conditions. They finished tired but happy in 52nd place; 3 hours 31 minutes 21 seconds.

In the composite sweep four crew, Dover’s Jon Cook and Jamie Smith were joined by Folkestone’s Becky Pleasted, Zoe Mond and cox Maddy Pleasted. Competing as ‘Scull and Backbones and Yellow Perils’ they were unable to keep up with ‘Tony’s Angels’ after initially maintaining contact. It was another impressive performance from Jon Cook who would feel the effort at the end of the race. The crew had a good race coming across the line in 57th, 3 hours 38 minutes 15 seconds.

The next 2 boats home had been involved in a to and fro battle along course. The predominately family crews of The ‘Hollyatts’ (a Quad Sculls crew of Canelle Ulyatt, Kevin Ulyatt, Holly Hannington, Brendon Ulyatt coxed by Felicity Uylatt) and the ‘McSawks’ (a Quad Sculls featuring Emma Sawkins, Emmerline McArdle, Matt McArdle, Alex McArdle with Pete McArdle as Cox) would finish only 32 seconds apart. ‘Hollyatts’ took the bragging rights with a time of 3 hours 46 minutes 04 seconds finishing 61st and ”McSawks’ in 62nd with 3 hours 46 minutes 36 seconds. There was a particularly impressive performance from Alex McArdle believed to be the youngest rower in the event.

Dover RC’s very own band the Ratzkins were racing as ‘Water Ratz’ competing as a sweep four. Chris Wong, Damion Napier, Laine Napier was joined by guest performer and club captain Tony Burrows with Sara Scrivens as the rhythm section. The challenge was made harder with Damion Napier injuring his back during the race. He struggled on to help the team finish in 80th place in a time of 4 hours 06 minutes 24 seconds.
The club would like to thank the coxes Sara Scrivens, Pete McArdle, James Hale, Felicity Ulyatt and Maddy Pleasted without whom Dover could not have fielded so many crews. Thanks, are also due to Jacky Silk for organising Dover’s entries and travel, Tony Burrows for pulling the boat trailer, Folkestone RC for the loan of boats and crew and Herne Bay for the sculling blades, re-enforcing the community aspect of coastal rowing.

Dover Rowing Club were in action at the 65th South Coast Championship at Paignton, the annual event where the 3 divisions Coast Amateur Rowing Association (CARA), Hants and Dorset ARA and West of England ARA combine together for the traditional end of season event. The racing was over a 2km straight course across Tor Bay finishing at Paignton Pier. Dover had two crews pre-qualified for the Championships finals with both the Men’s Junior Four and Junior Senior squads being CARA top point scorers in their competitions.

First, on the unusually calm waters, were Sebastian Steele, Finn Cockrell, James Hale, Jasper Mallet coxed by Freya Emmerson in the Junior Championship final. The school boy crew faced experienced local crews from Paignton and Dart Totnes. From the start it was clear the Itchen and Coalporters crews would be the strongest, battling it out for the win with Coalporters victorious. Dover found themselves clear of Shoreham and fighting Paignton and Dart Totnes down the course. Dover finished in 5th having been unable to overhaul the local crew.

The Junior Senior crew of Ben Gomm, Jon Cook, Chris Hall, Tom Stothart coxed by Freya Emmerson got a great start to their Championship race and were comfortably in 3rd and chasing eventual winners BTC and runners up Itchen. At 700m a seat derailed slowing the crew and leading to Bideford and then Plymouth passing them. Bideford moved across the Dover line forcing themr to move to the outside to get a clear run. With the seat reattached Dover were one of the fastest crews in the final 1000m, rapidly closing on the field in a what was a tight race. Dover would pressurise Bideford, and were neck and neck with Plymouth at the line, losing out by less than a canvas, finishing 5th.
Dover Rowing Club are proud of all their rowers this year but there is particular pride in Jon Cook. Cook joined the club wishing to use the rowing machines to help continue his rehabilitation from a serious spinal injury which had left him heavily reliant on using a wheelchair. Over time his dedication and hard work meant the wheelchair become a crutch and the rowing machine, with help from Dover Rowing Club members, became a rowing boat. Cook’s progression to racing, moving from Novice to Junior level before this season then joining Dover’s Junior Senior squad and qualifying for this South Coast Championship, has been inspiring to all within the club.

Nick Bailey raised a composite crew to race in the open 40+ which was coxed by Freya Emmerson. The scratch crew would come home 5th.
Weather permitting members of Dover Rowing Club will be racing at Loch Ness over a 21 miles course on the 17th.

Dover Rowing Club were in action in the heat at Worthing. Dover secured 3 CARA league wins at the largest regatta of the year which saw guests Ryde from Hants and Dorset also compete.
James Hale and Jasper Mallet competing in the Men’s Junior Pairs found themselves initially in a three way race off the line with the two Ryde pairs. Hale and Mallet laid down the power from 200m and quickly pulled away. Out of the turn the young crew were 18 strokes ahead of the Ryde. At the line Dover secured the win by several lengths. This victory secured the CARA Championship by 4 status wins.

Hale and Mallet were joined in the Men’s Junior Fours by Sebastian Steele and Finn Cockerell with cox Freya Emmerson. Dover’s second crew of Max Jerden, Brendon Ulyatt, Kevin Ulyatt, Matt Barnett was coxed by Felicity Ulyatt. Mark Weight was given dispensation to race for Deal. Emmerson’s crew found themselves again in a battle with Ryde. Pushing hard the young crew found themselves in second at the turn. Emmerson’s crew were unable to catch Ryde at the line, but secured the CARA league win. Weight’s crew secured fifth and Ulyatt’s crew, who were neck and neck with Weight’s crew, finished sixth.
J14 boys quad sculls crew of Josh Grassby, Ben Fagg, Bo Corby, Beau Everington-Nee coxed by Barnett raced over the 1 km course. The school boys ground out a lead over the first 300m and set a good pace to secure the win. The crew have been undefeated in their J14 races this year.

Mallet got a good start in the Novice Sculls and was racing with the top group of scullers. At the turn he was locked in the race for third but was unable to pass his opponent coming home in fourth.
In the Junior Sculls Tom Stothart and Chris Hall raced each other. Stothart got the better start moving into third, Stothart would drop to fourth after the turn, a place he would hold at the finish. Hall would finish sixth overall. Hall and Stothart would combine in the Men’s Senior Pairs where they would secure fifth place.
Men’s Junior Senior Fours saw two crews complete Ben Gomm, Jon Cook, Hall, Stothart coxed by Emmerson racing against K Ulyatt, Weight, Matt McArdle, Barnett cox F Ulyatt. There was a blanket start with 5 crews including Emmerson’s in the mix. Approaching the turn Emmerson’s crew were pressured off their buoy and were forced to change course, dropping the down to fifth a position they could not improve by the finish. Ulyatt’s crew finished sixth.

Ladies Junior Fours featuring Emmeline McArdle, Marie Cockerell, Emmerson, Maria West-Burrows coxed by Hale. With some fast starting teams Dover’s crew found themselves in fifth place by the turn, the position they maintained to the line.
In Ladies Novice Fours Dover had two crews Emma Mansel, M Cockerell, Heather Corby, E MacArdle coxed by F Ulyatt and Emma Sawkins, Emily Harvey, Holly Hannington, Canelle Ulyatt coxed by Emmerson. F Ulyatt’s crew got the better start finding themselves with the leading crews initially. At the turn Ulyatt’s crew were holding fifth the postion they would hold at the finish. Emmerson’s crew would finish tenth.

Men’s Novice Fours Max Jerden, M McArdle, K Ulyatt, B Ulyatt coxed by Emmerson. Weight would again row with a Deal crew. Weight’s crew got the better start and were competing for the lead, They would finish third. Emmerson’s crew found themselves picking their way through the field, and would move up to fifth at the finish.
Master 40+ crew of West-Burrows, Cook, K Ulyatt, Barnett coxed by F Ulyatt would work hard for sixth place.

Jasper Mallet took three wins as Dover Rowing Club competed in the Herne Bay Regatta helping with his crew mates to secure the Junior Aggregate and second place in the overall Aggregate to the hosts. Mallet’s first win was with team mates Sebastian Steele, Finn Cockerell, James Hale coxed by Freya Emmerson in the Junior Men’s Fours. Having already secured the CARA title the crew got a great start and established a good lead. At the line they had a comfortable win by several lengths. Mallet would face Sam Pile in the Men’s Novice Sculls which saw both scullers push ahead of the field with Mallet having the edge. On the run home Pile pushed hard but could not significantly close the gap as Mallet secured his first sculls win by a couple of lengths. In the Men’s Junior Pairs Mallet and Hale faced Steele and Sam Pile. Mallet / Hale got the better off the start and new pairing Steele and Pile went into pursuit mode. Mallet / Hale led through the turn and headed home a few lengths ahead of Steele and Pile who secured an excellent second.

The Veteran 50+ race saw Dover’s Nick Bailey and Jo Woods competing with rowers from Bexhill and Folkestone. After a slower start the composite crew worked their way through the field to turn in second and moved steadily ahead to confirm the runner up stop.

The Ladies Senior Four saw Woods, Ruby Cockerell, Rachel Bailey, Charlotte Cox coxed by N Bailey get off to a great start leading through the first few hundred metres. At the turn Dover were lying third and would hold this position to the line. In Ladies Senior Pairs R Bailey and Cox would again have a great start and initially held the lead. In the charge to the buoy Dover’s crew would drop to third. On the run home the crew was unable to catch the lead taking third at the line.
The Men’s Junior Senior Four saw two crews Ben Gomm, Chris Hall, Steve Woods, Tom Stothart coxed by Emmerson. S Woods had been a late replacement and was having his first race for several years. Dover’s second crew had Steele, F Cockerell, Max Jerden, Pile coxed by Felicity Ulyatt. Emmerson drove her crew into the lead and were leading out of the turn with Ulyatt’s crew initially in second before dropping to fourth by the turn. Emmerson’s crew found themselves in a battle with two home crews, gradually both Herne Bay crews were able to overhold Dover’s crew in a tight finish. Ulyatt’s crew would come home in fourth.

F Ulyatt coxed the Ladies Junior crew of Marie Cockerell, Emily Harvey, Emmerson, Maria West-Burrows which set off in the middle of the field and would need to chase down the leaders. Coming out of the turn, Ulyatt steered the crew into third as they pursued the leaders to the line, but were unable to improve their position.
Stothart and Hall competed in the Junior Men’s Sculls. Stothart got the better start moving into a tight battle for second. Coming out of the turn it was Stothart in third and Hall in sixth. Neither sculler could change their positions at the line. Stothart and Hall combined in the Men’s Junior Pairs where they had a good start moving into second, they would battle the crews in the fast water. They were in fourth at the turn and found themselves unable to close down third place before the line.

Dover Novices Ladies crews M Cockerell, Sophie Jerden, Holly Hannington, Nikki Leggatt coxed by Emmerson were racing Cannelle Ulyatt, Harvey, Emma Sawkins, Emmeline McArdle coxed by F Ulyatt. Neither crew had a great start and it would be a case of running through the field to get points. Emmerson’s crew successfully advanced through the field to take third as they started on their return leg with F Ulyatt’s crew up to sixth, the positions they would hold at the finish.
Veteran 40+ would Kevin Ulyatt, M Cockerell, West-Burrows, , McArdle coxed by Emmerson would come home in fourth. M Jerden, Brendon Ulyatt, K Ulyatt, Jason Cunningham coxed by Emmerson would come over the line in fifth with a composite crew featuring Pile in Sixth.

DRC would like to thank club members Chris Wong, Laine and Damion Napier at their band the Ratzkins for their fund-raising concert at the Marina Curve on Sunday