Crew assists with adaptive racing at regatta

TWO of Stratford Boat Club’s adaptive squad attended Monmouth regatta, rowing in Saturday’s singles before combining to row against able-bodied crews the following day.

Curtis Dickens faced a Llandaff rower from a different category who had the advantage of a sliding seat while Andy Morris gave away around 35 years to his Welsh opponent.

Adaptive coach Mark Dewdney said: “This was the first time Monmouth had staged adaptive races and the Stratford crew were there to mentor them through providing fair and safe racing for those with an impairment.”

Over the same weekend, Stratford’s masters’ quartet of Emily Sayers, Ellie Davis, Gina Fusco and Christine Goodwin took Monmouth by storm securing their first regatta win.

Having come through the semi-final, they were involved in a great race with Minerva Bath in the final. After falling behind early on, Stratford battled hard, overtook their opponents and held their lead to win by half a length.

The crew were delighted with their win and thrilled to have beaten a C crew in the semi and then a very good D crew in the final.

Fusco said: “It was lots of fun and we are delighted to be learning and improving all the time. We know what to work on to keep getting faster.”

Heather Hayton won her WMD race against a Bristol Ariel rower by one and three-quarter lengths and there was success for Amanda Bowden and Suzie Radley in both the 1500m and 750m sprints.

The masters’ squad also entered two mixed crew events and single sculler Richard Shepherd was also in action.