Strathclyde Park Rowing Club produced some superb results in their first open regatta since the Covid-19 lockdown.
The ‘Lochdown Regatta’ event, run by Scottish Rowing, attracted entries from 21 clubs, including some from south of the border, and was a welcome return to competition, in sweltering heat.
SPRC had entries in senior and junior events, winning an impressive eight gold medals and three silver over two days of racing.
World Class Start athletes from the club took gold, silver and fourth place in the men’s open single sculls, with Cam Buchan taking top spot as he prepares for the Henley Royal Regatta next week.
Another crew preparing for the same event did well, as Peter Morgan and Cameron Kemp from SPRC were joined by Matthew Fielding and Lukas Neilsen from Edinburgh University Boat Club convincingly took told in the open quad sculls.
Morgan and Kemp also pipped their Quad Scull crewmates to win the open double sculls.
Not to be outdone, Olivia Bell and Catriona Norval led the way down the loch in the women’s open double sculls event.
Masters rowers from the club were also successful with first and second in the women’s masters pairs event, with Gillian Connal and Ailie Ord taking top position from Ivana Safarik and Paula Hubens.
The women’s masters quad had a great row and, after handicapping was accounted for, the crew of Mary O’Toole, Stephanie Dancer, Liz McGovern and Ailie Ord was awarded two medals in open and women’s events.
Junior members, some of whom were competing in single sculls for the first time, also did well.
In the open J14 double, Finlay Morton and Dominic McGrory won their event after a time trial and side-by-side race.
In his debut single race, Morton finished a close second, winning silver.
Emma McAulay, 15, and 14-year-old Maddy West entered the novice doubles event, where they won silver medals against seniors, and also won silver medals.
Junior coach Ailie Ord was thrilled with the results and said: “It is great to see the youngsters do so well. It’s been such a difficult year with many training sessions being held at home over Zoom until we were able to get back on the water in late April.
“All the hard work has paid off!”
The club has attracted new junior members due to their Learn to Row course at the start of the summer holidays, and there are senior courses held regularly too.
If anyone is interested in taking up rowing, contact SPRC via their website at strathclydeparkrc.co.uk
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