The first double day regatta arrived at Shrewsbury amid torrential rain and 30km winds. Not to be defeated, we sent a large contingency of competitors of both adults and juniors for the two days.

Saturday’s sprint over 1000m, began with a nail-biting first round for Isabelle Senior in her J14 single. Rowing up a year above her own age she managed a dead heat against Pengwern the home club, having to row straight back up to the start and race again. Sadly victory was not to be, but a fabulous effort from our WJ13. Emily Senior convincingly beat Queens Park High School in her first round, Stourport in the semi-finals and Pengwern in a very close race in the final to take home the trophy for WJ15 singles by a length.

Andrea Bundon took home the prize for winning the Women’s IM1 single against Royal Shrewsbury School with a good distance and Tom Scholefield and Rob Parks took the prize for the Elite double. The women’s coxless quad of Lizzie Hill, Annie and Cathy Beaumont and Anna Parks rowing at IM3 beat Burton Leander and Kings School Worcester to take the overall win with a double celebration of Lizzie, Annie and Cathy losing their novice status. Others that had wins in heats, but not successful in the finals were Andrea Bundon and Dave McCaughan in their mixed Elite double beating Trent and Alex Henry rowing up at J14 in his single to beat Bewdley.

Despite being a definite Masters C crew having to row at IM3 due to the youth of the opposition who then turned out to be IM2, the mixed masters eight had an exciting row and was comprised of Keith Hudson, Charlie Henry, Andy Martin, Ian Hepworth, Sandra Martin, Kate Henry, Karen Senior and Jen Smith coxed by Mike Targett. Having set off and rowing well (if a length down) bells were rung and the race was stopped at 600m due to a capsize near the finish. Not being the youngest crew around, a re-row wasn’t on the top of things to be done, however needs must and what should have been a 1000m sprint turned into 1600m, sadly to be lost by a couple of lengths.

Sunday brought more wins with Isabelle Senior taking the single at WJ13 beating Nottingham and Union Rowing Club and Trent to win the pot. Isabelle with Hannah Ferris also had a resounding win in their WJ13 2x against Ross Rowing Club. Alex Henry took home the J14 1x pot having beaten Stourport, Ross and Bewdley in three heats despite the dreadful weather conditions. Tom Scholefield and Erica Gummery took home the prize for the mixed Elite doubles having beaten two other Loughborough crews of Dave McCaughan and Andrea Bundon and Adam Fairbrother and Anna Parks in the same event. Emily Senior had a very near win sadly missing out to Pengwern by a mere nose having already beaten Ross and Bewdley convincingly.

Over the course of the weekend there were quite a few capsizes, mainly in the last 100m straight, races that caught up and overtook the race prior to them, disqualifications, appeals and general excitement. All in all a normal weekend away!