Last weekend saw 13 crews from Loughborough Boat Club compete at the Ironbridge Regatta in the historic setting of the River Severn at Coalbrookdale.  Two days of side-by side knockout racing produced four overall victories for the club.  As always, the diversity and inclusiveness of the sport was highlighted, with Loughborough rowers ranging from age 15 to 60, competing in Mens, Ladies, and Mixed boat classes.

The Club’s Mixed Eight, crewed by four rowers of each sex, proved far too strong for their opponents and left the Devils Elbow and City of Oxford Boat Clubs trailing.  Meanwhile, Junior Under 15 Double Scullers Tara and Nicole fought through three tough rounds to win outright in their final against Trent Rowing Club. In the Women’s Double Scull, Erica and Charlotte continued to develop their potential by beating both Grosvenor Boat Club and the Ironbridge home team at Intermediate 3 level, whilst Cathie and Annie also won outright in the higher Intermediate 1 Class after a dead heat and winning the re-row in the semi-final.

Women's Master 4+ Ironbridge 2017

Other club crews also had close races, in particular Mike in the Masters D single scull, finishing within one length of British Masters’ Champion Lewis, from Derwent RC.  This was a notable achievement against an opponent who has previously proved hard to match in any competition, and it highlights Mike’s continued progress and competitiveness as a sculler.  Meanwhile, Ladies and Mens Masters crews showed promise in Eights and Fours.

Winning crews were presented with china tankards moulded in the shape of the cooling towers from the nearby Buildwas power station and bearing an engraving of the original Iron Bridge; these trophies made a fitting memento of an enjoyable and historic regatta.