Archived Club News

The Canal on the 28th December

Just to report that the canal was free of ice today although the air temperature at 2pm was minus 2 degrees C.

With best wishes to all for a Happy New Year both on and off the water.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Hon President, Inverness Rowing Club - 28th December 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Happy Christmas to everyone.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Hon President, Inverness Rowing Club - 24th December 2008

2nd GB Assessment for Senior & Under 23 athletes in Boston, Lincolnshire.

To: SARA Performance Group

SARA Executive



Cc: SARA Administrator

SARA Webmaster





Dear all,



8 Scottish athletes took part in yesterday’s 2nd GB Assessment for Senior & Under 23 athletes in Boston, Lincolnshire. With a number of the Beijing athletes returning to the fold, the standards were higher than the previous October trial. The standout Scottish performance goes to Alan Sinclair of Leander Club (and formerly of Inverness RC / Aberdeen University BC / Aberdeen BC), who continued his excellent performances at GB trials this season, finishing in 12th place overall ahead of some big names such as Colin Smith, stroke of the Beijing silver medal winning 8+.



For your reference, I attach a copy of the full trial results with Scottish athletes highlighted.



Cheers,



Lee



Lee Boucher

National High Performance Co-Ordinator

Scottish Amateur Rowing Association



Mobile: 07818077612

Email: lee.boucher@scottish-rowing.org.uk






Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Hon President, Inverness Rowing Club - 21st December 2008

Clyde ARC Head of the River Races

In Division 3 of the Clyde ARC Head of the River Races on the Clyde on Saturday 29th November, Colin Sinclair stroked the Strathclyde University Boat Club's crew to another win in the Mens R2 coxed fours event ahead of crews from Dundee University Boat Club, Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club and Glasgow University Boat Club.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Hon President, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th November 2008

2009 SARA Racing Licence Applications

The information below appears on the SARA Website on the downloads page

Application for SARA Racing Licence
Notes to Application Form for SARA Racing Licence (read before completing the form!) (Please note that racing licence costs in 2009 are Senior £35, Student £25, Juniors £18, Cadets £8)

Please download the application form from the website, complete it and send it to me ASAP with a cheque made out to SARA for the appropriate amount relating to your licence category.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Hon President, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th November 2008

Clydesdale Head of the River Races

In Division 1 of the Clydesdale Head of the River Races on the Clyde on Saturday, Colin Sinclair stroked the Strathclyde University Boat Club's crew to a fine win in the Mens R2 coxed fours event recording a time of 14 minutes 34 seconds ahead of crews from Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club and Edinburgh University Boat Club.



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Hon President, Inverness Rowing Club - 24th November 2008

ABERDEEN SMALL BOATS HEAD – Sunday 16th November 2008

Inverness Rowing Club were represented by junior and veteran crews at the Aberdeen Small Boats Head which took place in bright but variable headwind conditions on the upstream course on the River Dee on Sunday 16th November.

In Division 1, the Mens Veteran Double Sculls crew of Alastair Duff (bow) and Tom Baker (stroke) won this event recording an excellent time of 11 minutes 11 seconds to overcome the Aberdeen Boat Club crew stroked by Richard Matheson by 23 seconds and in doing so achieved fourth place overall in a field of 50 crews. Hazel Geddes produced a fine effort in the Womens Veteran Single Sculls in finishing in a time of 15 minutes 1 second just missing out on first place in this event by 7 seconds behind Alison Bain of Victoria Bridge Rowing Club.

Division 2 saw a spirited performance by the Inverness under 15 junior members by the Womens Novice Coxed Quad Sculls crew of Kirsty Guild (bow), Rozy Shepherd, Eilean Mackenzie, Meghan Hunter (stroke) and her brother Shaun Hunter (cox) which achieved a creditable second place finish just 17 seconds behind a much older student crew from Dundee University Boat Club. Also competing was the Womens Veteran Double Sculls crew of Susanne Standish-Hunter (bow) and Hazel Geddes (stroke) which recorded a satisfactory time of 14 minutes 9 seconds in Division 2.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Hon President, Inverness Rowing Club - 18th November 2008

News updater updated.

Just noticed that Roy was incorrectly labelled as "vice president".
This is a test to check that this is now fixed.

Sorry Roy - Neil.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Hon President, Inverness Rowing Club - 13rd November 2008

Morrison Construction Inverness Head Races

An excellent entry of over 150 crews was received for the Morrison Construction Fours and Small Boats Heads which took place in variable weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday, 8th and 9th November on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. The Fours Head took place on the Saturday in calm sunny conditions whilst Sunday's weather was very variable for the athletes in the Small Boats Head with wind, heavy rain and snow showers chasing them down the 4500 metre course. Much excellent racing was witnessed on both days competition with the host club winning both Mens and Womens Veteran Double Sculls events on the variable weather conditions in the Small Boats Head on the Sunday.

On Saturday, the Mens Open Fours was won by Glasgow University Boat Club crew of M Croll, D Thoms, R Bloomfield, D Graham (stroke) and K Templeton (cox) in a time of 17 minutes 01.7 seconds whilst the Womens Open Fours went to the Aberdeen University Boat Club crew of J Chambers, K Brown, S McDowall, E Foster (stroke) and A Murray (cox) in a time of 19 minutes 43.4 seconds.
Glasgow University Boat Club won both the Mens R2 and Novice Coxed Fours whilst St Andrew Boat Club won the Womens R2 and Novice Coxed Fours. Fastest crew of the day was the Mens Open Quad Sculls crew from Aberdeen Boat Club which covered the 4500 metre course in 16 minutes 13.2 seconds.
In the Small Boats events on the Sunday, fastest crew of the day was the Strathclyde Park Rowing Club's Mens Open Double Scull of Fraser Quinn and Andrew Barton which recorded a fine time of 17 minutes 56.8 seconds in Divison 1. The Inverness crew of Maeve Lewis and Hazel Smith won the Womens Veteran Double Sculls in an adjusted time 19 minutes 36.7 seconds whilst in Division 2, the Inverness Mens Double Sculls crew of Alastair Duff and Tom Baker won their event in an adjusted time of 18 minutes 13.8 seconds. Fastest crew in Division 2 was the Strathclyde University Boat Club Double Sculls crew of Paul West and Colin Sinclair which fought through the difficult weather conditions to record a commendable time of 19 minutes 27.3 seconds. Paul's sister Laura made it a family affair by winning the Womens R2 Single Sculls and being a member of the winning Dundee University Boat Club's Womens R2 Double Sculls crew.

Also at the weekend, Inverness athlete Alan Sinclair stroked the Leander Club's Quadruple Sculls Senior 1 crew to success and claim the Senior 1 Pennant and achieve 7th place overall in a field of 500 crews in the Fullers Fours Head of the River on the four and a quarter mile University Boat Race course on the Thames in London.

Next weekend, a squad of Inverness junior and veteran scullers travel to Aberdeen to compete in the Aberdeen Small Boats Head on the River Dee on Sunday 16th November.

Results

Fours Head - Division 1

Mens Open Coxless Fours - Aberdeen Boat Club (Crosland) --- 16.44
Mens Open Coxed Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Graham) --- 17.01
Mens Novice Coxed Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Forster) --- 18.04
Mens Veteran Quad Sculls - Inverness Rowing Club (Sharkey) --- 19.22
Womens Open Quad Sculls - Edinburgh University Boat Club/Clyde Amateur Rowing Club (Logan) --- 17.53
Womens R2 Coxed Fours - St Andrew Boat Club (Calder) --- 19.53
Womens Junior 18 Coxed Fours - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Young) --- 20.00
Mixed Coxed Fours - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Barton) --- 18.41

Fours Head - Division 1

Mens Open Quad Sculls - Aberdeen Boat Club (Crosland) --- 16.13
Mens R2 Coxed Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Thoms) ---17.07
Open Junior 18 Coxed Fours - Heriots School (Andrew) --- 18.27
Mens Veteran Coxed Fours - Aberdeen Boat Club (Mathieson) --- 19.31(17.39)
Womens Open Coxless Fours - Edinburgh University Boat Club/Clyde Amateur Rowing Club (Logan) ---18.17
Womens R2 Coxed Quad Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Limond) --- 18.48
Womens Junior 18 Quad Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Young) --- 18.52
Womens Veteran Quad Sculls - St Andrew Boat Club (Spitzer) --- 19.17
Womens Open Coxed Fours - Aberdeen University Boat Club (Foster) --- 19.43
Womens Novice Coxed Fours - St Andrew Boat Club (Marr) --- 21.04
Womens Junior 16 Coxed Fours - Heriots School (King) --- 21.10
Womens Novice Coxed Quads - Inverness Rowing Club (Hunter) --- 22.32
Mixed Coxed Quad Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Barton) --- 18.01

Small Boats Head - Division 1

Mens Open Double Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Barton) ---17.56
Mens R2 Single Sculls - Heriot Watt University Boat Club (Docwra) ---18.39
Mens R2 Coxless Pairs - Aberdeen Boat Club (Parrot) --- 19.11
Mens Veteran Coxless Pairs - St Andrew Boat Club (Wilson) --- 19.17 (18.37)
Mens Veteran A/B/C Single Sculls - Loch Lomond Rowing Club (McGregor)--- 19.25(19.14)
Mens Novice Double Sculls - Dundee University Boat Club (Warner) --- 19.59
Mens Veteran D/E/F Single Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Hewitt) --- 21.16 (19.11)
Womens Open Coxless Pairs - Edinburgh University Boat Club (Swann) --- 19.47
Womens Open Single Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Limond) --- 19.47
Womens R2 Double Sculls - Dundee University Boat Club (West) --- 19.50
Womens Veteran Double Sculls - Inverness Rowing Club (Smith) --- 20.16(19.36)
Womens Novice Single Sculls - Heriots School (McGreevy) --- 21.47
Womens Junior 16 Single Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (McNee)--- 22.46

Small Boats Head - Division 2

Mens R2 Double Sculls - Strathclyde University Boat Club (Sinclair) --- 19.27
Mens Veteran Double Sculls - Inverness Rowing Club (Baker) --- 19.34 (18.13)
Mens Novice Single Sculls - St Andrew Boat Club (Wildenhain) --- 20.38
Open Junior 16 Single Sculls - Stirling Rowing Club (Hall) --- 20.53
Womens Open Double Sculls - St Andrew Boat Club (Spitzer) --- 20.42
Womens Junior 16 Double Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (O'Prey) --- 21.51
Womens Junior 18 Single Sculls - Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (Irvine) --- 22.02
Womens R2 Single Sculls - Dundee University Boat Club (West) --- 22.15
Womens Novice Double Sculls - Dundee University Boat Club (Fraser) --- 22.57

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 12nd November 2008

Provisional Draw

The running order was randomised at 9pm this evening.

It can be found Here

It is not to late for those responsible for the entries to make minor corrections and add "just received" licence numbers.

Any issues - 07977 904429.


Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 5th November 2008

Essential Head Race Information

Roy Sinclair has provided the following information for competitors (pdf file)

NOTE - this is a duplicate of the document on the SARA site.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 5th November 2008

MORRISON CONSTRUCTION INVERNESS FOURS AND SMALL BOATS HEADS

Next weekend sees a large entry of fours and small boats competing in the club’s two day Morrison Construction Fours and Small Boats Heads which take place on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.

Over 150 crews representing clubs from all over Scotland including a large entry from Scottish University Rowing Clubs will be travelling to Inverness to compete in this highly significant event in the Scottish rowing calendar.

Racing starts at 11am and 1.30pm on both days over the 4500 metre course from Dochgarroch to the finish line beside the boathouse close to Tomnahurich Bridge. The Fours race on Saturday with Small Boats racing taking place on Sunday.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 4th November 2008

Head Race Information

The draw is now being processed. You can help by checking the early draw computations and checking for errors.

Follow links on http://www.invernessrowingclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/autumn_head08/index.cgi

Logistics and Trailer-parking details to follow.

For Saturday's social event booking - please contact
Katie.VanExan AT culloden.highland.sch.uk

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 3rd November 2008

Inverness Rowing Club - Events Diary

On Wednesday 29th October, the Club held it’s Annual General Meeting in the clubhouse of Highland Rugby Football Club at which the following members were elected to serve as office bearers for the next 12 months:-

Roy Sinclair (Hon President), Paddy Walsh (President), Roy Sinclair (Vice President), Hazel Geddes (Treasurer), Susanne Standish-Hunter, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace, Tom Baker, Mary Clouston and Moritz Bauer (Members of Management Committee). At this event, President Paddy Walsh presented Dave Rothwell with the Allan Garraway Single Sculling Trophy. and Moritz Bauer with the Waterson Trophy to recognise the most improved performance in a club athlete. The Southwell Stevenson Single Sculling Trophy for participation and performance was awarded to Colin Sinclair for the fourth year in succession.

This coming weekend on Saturday 1st November sees Colin Sinclair in the stroke seat Strathclyde University Boat Club’s coxed four which competes in two divisions of the Glasgow Rowing Club’s Head of the River Race on the River Clyde on Saturday.

The following weekend, a large entry is expected for the Morrison Construction Inverness Head of the Canal Fours and Small Boats Festival of Racing when clubs from all over Scotland will compete in the fours events on Saturday 8th November and in the small boats events the following day.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th October 2008

Dinner - Saturday Night

Hello All

just a follow up message with some further details for the 8th.

Time: 7pm for 7:30
Cost: 10.95 for 2 courses
13.95 for 3 courses
kiddie menu available
The restaurant will be open to serve us drinks till 1am but there is also the pub below which has entertainment on till late as well.

can you please RSVP to me as soon as possible?

thanks.
katie

Report submitted by - Katie Van-Exan - Inverness Rowing Club - 30th October 2008

Post Head Dinner

• Where: McGonagals Restraunt (above the Gellions bar on the highstreet across from Pound Stretcher, the Tourist office and Bella Italia)


• When: Nov. 8th. - Time TBC but probably 7 for 7:30


• Who: anyone and everyone. We gave a rough number of 30 -based on previous years but they are happy for more.


• What: Dinner. Details being confirmed but it looks like pub grub type food £13ish for 3 courses £10ish for 2.

Report submitted by - Hazel Smith - Inverness Rowing Club - 29th October 2008

GB Senior Rowing Trials

Two former members of Inverness Rowing Club took part in last weekend’s GB Senior Rowing Trials held in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Colin Williamson and Alan Sinclair, also former members of Aberdeen University Boat Club and Aberdeen Boat Club and now members of the Leander Club in Henley on Thames were both trialling in the Mens Heavyweight category in which Alan finished in the excellent time of 18 minutes 50.56 seconds to achieve 5th place overall whilst Colin completed the 5 km course in a time of 19 minutes 15.11 seconds in 18th place.

Other Scottish athletes competing in this category were Jonathan Adams (Clydesdale ARC) and Murray Wilkojc (Newcastle University BC) who finished in 46th and 55th places respectively in a field of 84 athletes.

Last weekend’s Clyde ARC Head of the River in Glasgow was unfortunately cancelled due to unsafe river conditions on the Clyde and it is hoped that the Glasgow RC Head of the River scheduled for this Saturday does not suffer the same fate.



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 27th October 2008

Online Entry System Up

Entries for the upcoming head can now be made Online
Please remember the Deadline for entries is 6pm on Sunday 2nd November.
Please report any issues to entries@invernessrowingclub.org.uk.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 24th October 2008

St Andrew Boat Club/Edinburgh University Boat Club Head of the Forth

On the River Forth at Stirling on Saturday 12th October, the St Andrew Boat Club/Edinburgh University Boat Club Head of the River was held in difficult conditions with a heavy stream flowing after a day of torrential rain on the previous day.

Nonetheless, some excellent racing was witnessed, with a Castle Semple RC / Stirling RC composite Veteran Quadruple Scull being the fastest crew covering the twisty upstream course in a time of 23 minutes 49 seconds.

Although the strong stream proved difficult for some of the emerging university crews, Edinburgh University Boat Club recorded a time of 26 minutes 27 seconds as the fastest Mens Open Coxed Four, whilst Strathclyde University Boat Club, stroked by Colin Sinclair from the Inverness club, overcame the challenges from the Dundee and Edinburgh University Boat Clubs to win the Mens Restricted 2 Coxed Fours in a commendable time of 28 minutes 53 seconds.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 13rd October 2008

Morrison Construction Inverness Head Races

Our annual festival of head racing in fours, quads, doubles, pairs, singles...

Details now online

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 10th October 2008

Inverness Rowing Club AGM 2008

A reminder that the club's AGM is imminent.

Date - Wednesday 29th October 2008.
Time - 19:30.
Venue - The Rugby Club.

Minutes from last years event can be found HERE (pdf document).


Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 6th October 2008

John A Stevenson - Gone Home

It is with sadness that I bring you the news that our Honorary President John Stevenson passed away on Thursday 25th September in Highview Nursing Home, Inverness.

John was a long standing and loyal supporter of the club since it was formed 20 years ago and was the donator of a single scull and the very impressive Southwell Stevenson Single Sculling Trophy which is competed for annually for club members.

John was an impressive oarsman in his early years and was a member of the Clare College Boat Club and rowed in the No 4 seat of the Eight which won the Ladies Challenge Plate at Henley Royal Regatta in 1939. His oar was proudly displayed on the wall of his house in Old Edinburgh Road in Inverness.

John had not enjoyed the best of health over the past few years and I last visited him at home some 3 weeks ago and spent a most pleasant half hour in his company.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

The club’s condolences and thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

His funeral service will take place on Monday, 6th October at 11.30am in Inverness Crematorium to which all friends are respectfully invited.



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 29th September 2008

Allan Garraway Single Sculling Trophy

On Sunday 28th September, the club’s own closed single sculling event was raced for the Allan Garraway Single Sculling Trophy over the sprint course close to the boathouse on the Caledonian Canal. A total of 8 athletes, four women and four men, ranging in age from 12 to 65 took part in this event in favourable tailwind conditions with equalising handicaps being applied in favour of the older and junior members who took part.

Those athletes who fought their way through to semi-final positions were in the first semi – final , John Sharkey and Mary Clouston, whilst Dave Rothwell and Susanne Standish-Hunter met in the second semi – final.

Progressing by the narrowest of margins, Sharkey and Rothwell squeezed through to the final, which was won by just over one length by Dave Rothwell.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 29th September 2008

BOSTON MARATHON RESULTS 2008

Hazel Geddes recorded an excellent result in her first Boston Marathon on Sunday 21st September.

Racing as part of an entry of 215 crews from eights to single sculls over the 31 mile course from Lincoln to Boston, Hazel recorded a time of 5 hours 16 minutes 27 seconds to finish in third place in Womens Veteran B Single Sculls - a fine performance !



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 23rd September 2008

Aberdeen Sprint Regatta - Saturday 13th September 2008

Inverness Rowing Club members achieved considerable success in winning a total of nine events on the River Dee at last Saturday’s Aberdeen Sprint Regatta.

In the Open Junior 14 Coxed quadruple Sculls, the Inverness crew of Shaun Hunter (bow), Jennifer Warwick, Adam Geddes, Rachael Wells (stroke) and Meghan Hunter (cox) had convincing wins over crews from Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association (ASRA). Shaun and Adam later combined well in their Open Junior 14 Double Sculls event to emerge winners against another crew from ASRA.

Other Inverness members who won two events were Mary Clouston in Womens Veteran and Novice Single Sculls, Hazel Smith in Womens Veteran Double Sculls with Katie van Exan and in Womens Veteran Fours, and Colin Sinclair who won both Mens Restricted 1 and Novice Single Sculls.

In the final of the Mixed Double Sculls, John Sharkey and Susanne Standish-Hunter beat the other Inverness crew of Dave Rothwell and Katie van Exan in a close race.

Several other junior members of the club preformed with distinction in their events, including Kirsty Guild and Eilean Mackenzie in Womens Junior 14 Double Sculls, and Calum Wylie, Ophelia and Oliver Oatridge in crews which took part in the Generation Double Sculls event.

This coming weekend sees club treasurer Hazel Geddes making the long trip to Lincolnshire to take part in her single scull in the famous Boston Marathon on the 31 mile course on the River Ely from Lincoln to Boston.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 15th September 2008

Fisa Masters Sunday Results

On Day 4 of the FISA World Masters Regatta in Lithuania, a composite Mixed D8+ featuring Hazel Smith of Inverness RC and Ailie Ord of Strathclyde Park RC won their event.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 7th September 2008

Fisa Masters Saturday Results

Winners of Womens Veteran D Coxed Fours

GBR

Burway/ Inverness/ Sons of the Thames/ Strathclyde Park/ Thames Rowing Club

(bow) PARRY Jacqui(61) Burway
(2) SMITH Hazel(47) Inverness
(3) ORD Ailie(46) Strathclyde Park
(stroke) COOK Hilary(50) Sons of the Thames
(cox) RENWICK James(33) Thames Rowing Club

500m 1:59.25
1000m 4:03.33

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 6th September 2008

FISA Masters Friday update

On Day 2 of the FISA World Masters Regatta in Lithuania, glorious hot conditions and a gentle tailwind still produced no smiles on Scottish faces until mid-afternoon when a composite womens C8+ featuring Hazel Smith of Inverness RC and Ailie Ord of Strathclyde Park RC won their event.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 6th September 2008

Aberdeen Sprint Regatta - Saturday 13th September 2008

Let's make an effort to support the Aberdeen Sprint this year after their excellent support to our Hawco Sprint the other Saturday.

Details of the events offered may be found on the link below:-

http://cofd.co.uk/

Entries should be in before the deadline of 10am on Sunday 7th September.

See you all there in Aberdeen if not before.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 26th August 2008

Hawco Sprint 2008 - Results report

An excellent entry was received for the INVERNESS HAWCO SPRINT 2008 when 95 races were contested by a fine representation of clubs from throughout Scotland and from Bradford School, members of which all achieved success in the events offered. Senior, veteran, adaptive and particularly junior members excelled in the bright and sunny conditions on Saturday 16th August on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.

For the first time, an adaptive single sculling event was included in the programme in which Graeme Stewart from Loch Lomond Rowing Club was successful in both his races against local opposition.

Inverness crews featured in many of the events winning a total of eight events throughout a day of fine competitive racing which included re-rows in Mens Novice Coxed Fours and Womens Veteran Double Sculls following dead heats in these events.

Winners are listed below as follows:-

ADAPTIVE 1x Loch Lomond RC - Graeme Stewart
Gen Nov 2x Loch Lomond RC - Tom Claxton, Martin Claxton
Gen R2 2x Heart of Scotland BC/Loch Lomond RC - Alastair Docwra, Iain Docwra
GIRLS J12 2x Castle Semple RC – Kirsty Hiddleston, Katie Rodgers
Girls Junior 13 1x Castle Semple RC – Emma McDonald
Girls Junior 13 2x Castle Semple RC - Caitlin Horsburgh, Emma McDonald
Girls Junior 14 1x Castle Semple RC – Emma McDonald
Girls Junior 16 2x Castle Semple RC - Claire Hiddleston, Jessica McHarg
Men Nov 1x Inverness RC - Colin Sinclair
Men Nov 2x Heart of Scotland BC - Gordon McGrath,Graeme Cunningham
Men O 1x Abedeen BC - Andrew Crosland
Men O 2x Heart of Scotland BC - Brook McLaughlin, Roger Ewing
Men R2 1x Inverness RC - Colin Sinclair
Men R2 2x Heart of Scotland BC - Brook McLaughlin, Roger Ewing
Men R2 4+ Aberdeen BC - J McKee, A Strachan, S Clark, B Garvin
Men R2 8+ Aberdeen BC - Davidson, Owens, Mathieson, Steel, Turner, McConnell, Gardner, Meldrum
Men Vet A 1x Aberdeen BC - Andrew Crosland
Men Vet ABC 4+ Aberdeen BC – P Turner, J McConnell, N Gardner, N Meldrum
Men Vet BC 4x+ Loch LomondRC - Alasair Docwra, Steven Whyte, Thomas Gethin, Martin Claxton
Men Vet DEF 1x Nithsdale RC - Gordon Kerr
Men Vet DEF 2x George Watsons BC/St Andrew BC – Boyd Whyte,John Munro
Men Vet DEF 4+ Aberdeen BC - D Davidson, R Owens, R Mathieson, J Steel
Mixed 4+ InvernessRC/Heart of Scotland BC/Strathclyde Park RC – Aillie Ord, Hazel Smith, Andy McDowall, Ross Doak
Mixed Nov 2x Inverness RC - Katie Van-Exan, Mathew Stevenson
Mixed Nov 4x+ Loch Lomond RC - Emma Rankin, Eva Rankin, Steven Whyte, Martin Claxton
Open Junior 12 1x Castle Semple RC - Alex Afuakwah

Open Junior 12 2X Castle Semple RC - Laura McDonald, Kirsty Hiddleston
Open Junior 13 1x Strathclyde Park RC - Pete Byrne
Open Junior 13 2x Strathclyde Park RC - Graham Ord, Pete Byrne
Open Junior 14 1x Bradford School- Rowan Arthur
Open Junior 14 4x+
Castle Semple RC - Louise Hiddleston, Chris Afuakwah, Finn Campbell, Emma Brander
Open Junior 16 1x Stirling RC - Gregor Hall
Open Junior 16 2x Bradford School – Josh Croft, Jonny Waite
Open Junior 16 4x+
Bradford School - Jonny Waite, James McWhinney, Dominic Marshall, Josh Croft
Open Junior 18 1x Stirling - Gregor Hall
Women Nov 1x Loch Lomond RC - Emma Rankin
Women Nov 2x Castle Semple RC - Kirsty Sanders and Ailidh Campbell
Women Nov 4x+ Inverness RC – Rachael Wells, Joanna Shepherd, Kirsty Guild, Eilean MacKenzie, Adam Geddes
Women R2 1x Castle Semple RC - Rachel Robertson
Women R2 2x Inverness RC - Hazel Geddes, Katie Van-Exan
Women Vet 1x Loch Lomond RC – Eva Rankin
Women Vet 2x Strathclyde Park RC/nverness IRC - Hazel Smith, Aillie Ord
Women Vet 4+ Inverness RC/Strathclyde Park RC Susanne Hunter, Hazel Smith, Aillie Ord, Hazel Geddes, Adam Geddes


Other Inverness crews were also involved in a number of extremely close finishes throughout a day of fine competitive racing.

Prizes were presented by George Hawco, Director of event sponsor Hawco of Inverness


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 18th August 2008

Pictures

Roy has submitted a batch of pictures from Saturday's Hawco Sprint.
Find them HERE


Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 18th August 2008

Hawco Sprint Results

Results from last Saturday's Hawco Sprint can be found in great detail HERE

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 18th August 2008

Inverness Hawco Sprint - Running Order

A running order is now available on our events page.
With apologies for the delay in getting this out.

I hope everyone has a very enjoyable day's racing.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 15th August 2008

HAWCO SPRINT 2008

Inverness Rowing Club is holding the HAWCO SPRINT REGATTA on Saturday the 16th August. This year’s event is again being sponsored by Hawco Inverness.

The event is being held on the Caledonian Canal over a 500 metre course close to the Boathouse. The event is very popular and this year has attracted crews from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Dumfries and Bradford as well as from the home club. Also included in some of the crews competing will be medallists from the recent Home Countries International Regatta which took place at Cardiff Bay in Wales recently. A full race programme, which includes junior, senior, veteran and adaptive events, is expected to start at 10.00am and be completed before 5.00pm.

Spectators are welcome to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing on a length of water which is acknowledged by many as the best in Scotland for rowing. The Boathouse is located two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 12nd August 2008

Inverness Hawco Sprint 2008

A record entry for our sprint event has been received.
The Provisional draw can be found HERE.

A running order will be posted as soon as possible.
The event will kick off at 10am on Saturday.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 10th August 2008

2008 Home Countries International Regatta

On Saturday 26th July, the 2008 Home Countries International Regatta took place in Cardiff Bay in Wales where teams representing Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales challenged for event medals and team trophies.

Athletes from the north were successful in bringing home medals in a range of mens and womens events and with match points being awarded for all finishing positions, all events were keenly contested by all crews

Ruth Hobson from Knockbain on the Black Isle with her crewmate Laurian Pepper claimed the maximum four points and gold medals by achieving an outstanding five lengths win in the womens Lightweight Coxless Pairs event ahead of England and Ireland.

Imogen Walsh sculled strongly in the womens Lightweight Single Sculls to claim two match points for third place in the difficult crosswind conditions of the Cardiff Bay course.

Alan Sinclair from Belmaduthy also on the Black Isle, sculling with his Leader clubmate Colin Williamson in the mens Double Sculls event had a most exciting and closely contested race with both the Irish and Welsh crews. With 150 metres to go, Ireland had a one length lead over both crews and with the finishing line fast approaching, Scotland increased their striking rate from 38 to 42 strokes per minute and in a blanket finish crossed the line 0.80 seconds ahead of Ireland with England and Wales following behind, the Scots claiming their gold medals and maximum points in the process.

Both Sinclair and Williamson later combined with Jonny Logan from Glasgow and Kiwi Andrew Crosland from Aberdeen to claim another four maximum points and gold medals in winning the mens Quadruple Sculls event by one length followed by Ireland, Wales and England in that order.

Alan’s younger brother Colin was a member of the mens Junior Quadruple Sculls crew which was in contention in their event until one of the bowman’s sculling blades snapped in the heavy swell. Nonetheless, in spite of being instructed by the umpire to stop, the crew continued and completed the course with only three members sculling to claim their one match point which confirmed Scotland as the winners of the Mens Junior Team Trophy for the first time in the regatta’s 40 year history.



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 28th July 2008

UK National Championships & Home Countries International Regatta

Last weekend, the UK National Rowing Championships took place from Friday to Sunday at the Holme Pierrepont rowing lake at Nottingham.

Athletes from the north were successful in bringing home two bronze medals.

Imogen Walsh excelled in the womens Lightweight Single Sculls in claiming the second place spot in her semi-final against a sculler from Tideway Scullers and followed that up with a strong finish in her final to win her bronze medal.

Alan Sinclair, rowing with Alastair Webb in the coxless pairs event had a most exciting and closely contested semi-final race with a crew from Glasgow University Boat Club to cross the line just under a length behind their Glasgow opponents. The final of this event in the difficult cross-wind conditions was dominated by a much heavier Leander crew closely followed by Glasgow and the Sinclair/ Webb combination who claimed their bronze medals just behind the Glasgow crew. Alan’s brother Colin was one of 40 junior single scullers challenging for one of the 12 semi-final places in this event. Sculling well in the strong headwinds on the Friday, Colin unfortunately just missed out on claiming one of these places.

This coming weekend, Imogen, Alan and Colin have been selected as members of the Scottish team and will travel to compete against crews from England, Ireland and Wales in the Home Countries International in Cardiff on Saturday 26th July.

Imogen will race in the lightweight Single Sculls event whilst Alan will partner his Leander Club colleague Colin Williamson in the Double Sculls event and both will also compete in the Quadruple Sculls event. Colin gains his international vest as a member of the junior Quadruple Sculls crew.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 22nd July 2008

ROWING ACTION

Rowing Action call for material: A new project team has come together to produce the next edition of ‘Rowing Action’. It is planned that that this new on-line version will be available early in the sprint season. Contributions – words and/or pictures – are very welcome, by the end of July please, to mike.haggerty@ntlworld.com


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 16th July 2008

Bradford School Rowing Camp

Bradford School will be holding a 3-day rowing camp at IRC in the week prior to our Sprint Regatta. There will be 5 boys and 3 parents here on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the 12, 13 + 14 August using various singles, doubles and Rogie Falls. I will be coaching them with Mandy's help for two sessions each day and they will have the option of a third session on their own if they like.

They will head for the west coast (chez Arthur) on Thursday night and return to race in the regatta on Saturday.

As the club is designated as a rowing development centre, and has recently received new boats specifically for junior/youth rowing, this is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to junior rowing. This type of rowing camp could become a regular occurence. I would therefore ask all members to welcome these young rowers and help them in any way you can.

Many thanks!

Report submitted by - Susanne Hunter - Captain, Inverness Rowing Club - 16th July 2008

UK National Championships 2008

This weekend from 18th to 20th July, the UK National Rowing Championships take place at the Holme Pierrepoint rowing lake at Nottingham.

Belmaduthy oarsmen Colin Sinclair and his elder brother Alan will compete in single sculling and coxless pairs events respectively. Colin will race on the junior single sculls event whilst Alan will race in the coxless pairs event in a Leander crew with his clubmate Alastair Webb.

Two other former Inverness club members will also race at Nottingham. Clyde ARC member Imogen Walsh, daughter of Inverness Club President Paddy Walsh, will race in the lightweight single sculls whilst Colin Williamson (Leander) will race in the single sculls event in which he won a bronze medal at last year’s National Championships.



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 14th July 2008

Henley Royal Regatta 2008

Two former members of Inverness Rowing Club took part in separate events at Henley Royal Regatta last week.

Colin Williamson (from Perth) and Alan Sinclair (from Belmaduthy on the Black Isle) also former members of Aberdeen University Boat Club and Aberdeen Boat Club and now members of the Leander Club in Henley on Thames raced in the Ladies’ Challenge Plate for eights and the Visitors’ Challenge Cup for coxless fours.

Colin’s eights crew had convincing wins in the earlier rounds and in windy and wet conditions in the final on Sunday recorded a fine win of just under one length against a Dutch University crew from Roeivereniging.

In the first round of the Visitors’ Challenge Cup, Alan’s crew posted a fast time in recording a two length win over a crew from London Rowing Club. In their quarter final, they moved out to an early half length lead before suffering a setback in the gusty conditions which caused their bow side oars to clash with the booms. Despite having to restart some two lengths down on their opposition from London RC/Wallingford RC, they fought back over the remainder of the course but were unable to overhaul their opponents before the finishing line.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 10th July 2008

Henley Royal Regatta

Two former members of Inverness Rowing Club will compete in separate events at Henley Royal Regatta this week.

Colin Williamson (from Perth) and Alan Sinclair (from Belmaduthy on the Black Isle) also developed their successful rowing careers as members of Aberdeen University Boat Club and Aberdeen Boat Club and now are both members of the Leander Club in Henley on Thames.

Following excellent performances by both athletes in earlier regattas and events over the past nine months, Colin will race in the No 6 seat of the Leander eight which meets the Christ Church (Oxford) and Martyrs crew in the first round of the Ladies' Challenge Plate on Wednesday. On Thursday, Alan will be in the stroke seat of the Leander(A) coxless four which will race a crew from London Rowing Club in their first round of the Visitors’ Challenge Cup. Hopes are high for success in both events, with Colin gaining his first Henley medal as a member of the Leander eight which won the Thames Challenge Cup at last year’s Henley Royal Regatta.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th June 2008

Restrictions on Access to the Boathouse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Andrew Ross [mailto:**********@britishwaterways.co.uk]
Sent: 24 June 2008 09:51
To: Roy Sinclair (Morrison Construction)
Cc: Mike Lofts; Russell Thomson
Subject: RE: Proposed Caledonian Canal Crossing

Roy,

I have just spoken to the Soil Mechanics Senior Engineering Geologist for an update. They are hoping to get a drilling rig into position later today/early tomorrow on the towpath between Jacobite & the Rowing Club. They will be there for the next three and a half weeks. There will be no vehicle access to the Rowing Club during this time.

However, the vehicle access will be restored well before your regatta on 16th August.

The rig will then move to the large area of filled ground to the west of the Rowing Club, again for about three and a half weeks.

There is a third drilling site (different rig & crew) on the opposite bank of the canal, starting about mid July.

Pedestrian access will be maintained on both towpaths at all times.

Regards,

Andrew

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Roy Sinclair (Morrison Construction) [mailto:*********@morrisonconstruction.co.uk]
Sent: 23 June 2008 16:41
To: Andrew Ross
Subject: Proposed Caledonian Canal Crossing

Hi Andrew

Ref our chats last Thursday and today Monday 23rd June and the proposals by the The Highland Council Consultant’s drilling contractor’s for borehole survey work on the banks of the canal over the next few weeks in conjunction with the proposed road crossing/aquaduct over/under the canal.

I understand that you may have a pdf file which could indicate the locations of the proposed boreholes/rig positions and would appreciate a copy of such a document to appraise the Rowing Club committee of these details and how the drilling operations may affect the club’s normal training and regatta activities (our Sprint Regatta is taking place on Saturday 16th August).

An indication of the timescale and dates of these operations would be of assistance as well as details of any restrictions which could affect the club’s members and if drilling operations are likely to affect vehicle movements between the Jacobite Office and the club’s boathouse site.

Many thanks for your assistance

Kind regards

Roy



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 24th June 2008

Significant Boat Naming Ceremony

£38,000 of New Rowing Equipment / Seven New Rowing Boats & Rowing Machines for Juniors Funded by Highland 2007 and Henley Stewards


Inverness Rowing Club is the fortunate recipient of £38,000 of rowing equipment funded mainly by Highland 2007 Year of Culture. Seven new boats with new oars have been purchased by the club specifically for young rowers. The Henley Stewards Trust Fund generously provided invaluable additional match funding which was also used to assist with the provision of new rowing machines used for coaching and training.

The boat-naming ceremony on Saturday 21st June 2008 for the Highland 2007 boats - one quadruple scull, two double sculls and four single sculls – included three more club boats which were added to the club fleet over the past two years – two fours (which received funding support from Awards for All) and a recreation double (which received funding support from Inverness Area Sports Council) – making a grand total of ten boats to be officially christened with champagne!

The new equipment is a huge boost to the club – catering to a range of small to medium body sizes which were previously obliged to manage with heavier boats and longer oars. Juniors, women and light to medium weight men are now able to row in boats designed for their size which bodes well for increased participation and successful competition in the future.

Inverness Rowing Club is the only rowing club in the Highlands and has been designated as a Development Centre by the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association (SARA) mainly due to the excellent rowing conditions found on the Caledonian Canal. The club is promoting indoor rowing through local schools in partnership with SARA with an eye to encouraging young people to take up water rowing.

In addition to the senior and veteran sections, Inverness Rowing Club has a small but thriving junior section, six of whom won four gold medals in the Scottish Championships in Strathclyde Park last weekend. Eight new junior members have now joined the original group and during the summer holidays there will be more opportunities for new youngsters to come and try rowing. (Contact IRC Captain 01349-864033).

Rowing incorporates all parts of the body, requiring excellent co-ordination, balance and timing as well as strength, endurance and absolute teamwork. It is a highly disciplined sport which attracts people of all ages and backgrounds, and rarely lets them go – addiction to rowing is a serious business!


Report submitted by - Susanne Hunter - Captain, Inverness Rowing Club - 21st June 2008

Gold Rush for Inverness Rowing Club

Inverness Rowing Club members again achieved significant success at the two day Scottish Championship Regatta at Strathclyde Park in Hamilton last weekend in variable weather conditions in winning gold medals in a total of six events – Womens Veteran A/B Double Sculls, Womens Junior 14 Double Sculls, Womens Junior 14 Coxed Quadruple Sculls, Womens Junior 13 Coxed Quadruple Sculls, Mens Veteran E Single Sculls and Womens Junior 13 Single Sculls.

Excellent Junior wins on Saturday were recorded when Meghan Hunter and Rachael Wells achieved a resounding 3 length win in the Womens Junior 14 Double Sculls over crews from Castle Semple RC and George Heriots School whilst Rachael had an emphatic 4 length win in the Womens Junior 13 Single Sculls in which Sarah Cameron finished just outside the medal placings.

Sunday’s wins were achieved by the Womens Veteran A/B Double Scull of Susanne Standish-Hunter and Shelagh Lombard who held off the strong challenge of the other Inverness crew of Hazel Geddes and Katie van Exan and an Aberdeen Boat Club crew to win by half a length. Tom Baker won the Mens Veteran E Single Sculls by 2 lengths with Alastair Duff achieving a sound third place finish in his Mens Veteran C Single Sculls event. Both combined well to achieve a bronze medal position in the Mens Veteran D/F Double Sculls. Junior wins on Sunday were recorded in both Womens Junior 14 and Junior 13 Coxed Quadruple Sculls by Sarah Cameron, Jennifer Warwick, Rachael Wells and Meghan Hunter with Shaun Hunter coxing one event and Adam Geddes coxing the other event winners.
A former Inverness member also achieved medal success at the Championships with President Paddy Walsh’s daughter Imogen (Clyde ARC) winning her Gold medal in the Womens Lightweight Single Sculls on Saturday and followed this up with a fine silver medal in an extremely close finish in the Womens Open Single Sculls on the Sunday.

Club members performed with distinction in other events. The Womens Veteran A/C Quadruple Scull of Hazel Geddes, Shelagh Lombard, Hazel Smith and Susanne Standish-Hunter narrowly missed first place in this event to a crew from Strathclyde Park RC, whilst a similar result was achieved when Tom Baker stroked a composite Inverness/St Andrew/Strathclyde Park/George Watsons BC crew in the Mens Veteran E/G Coxed Fours. Mary Clouston and Sally Moore achieved third place in the Womens Veteran D Double Sculls whilst Clouston finished just outside the medal positions in the Womens Novice Single Sculls with Clouston and Moore finishing in second and third places respectively in the Womens Veteran D Single Sculls. A fine second place was achieved by the Open Junior 13 Quadruple Sculls crew of Adam Geddes, Meghan Hunter, Rachael Wells and Shaun Hunter against other all male crews. In Mens Junior 13 Double Sculls, Shaun Hunter and Adam Geddes had a fine race in the difficult windy conditions on Saturday whilst in the Mens Junior 18 Single Sculls event, Colin Sinclair sculled well but just missed out on a medal position.

Next weekend on Saturday 21st June sees the Club conducting a significant boat naming ceremony when a number of recently acquired boats will be officially named by various important sporting and local personalities. The ceremony is due to take place at the boathouse on the Caledonian Canal and is scheduled to commence at 11am.

Record pics in the Gallery shortly


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 16th June 2008

Inverness Rowing Club at Scottish Rowing Championships

Next Saturday and Sunday 14th and 15th June sees Inverness Rowing Club members travelling to take part in the Scottish Rowing Championships which incorporate the Scottish Schools Rowing Championships on the seven lane international 2000 metre rowing course near Hamilton.

Inverness crews are entered in Cadet, Junior, Senior and Veteran events on both days in this most significant event of the Scottish regatta season.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 10th June 2008

Metropolitan Regatta, Dorney Lake - 1st June 2008

Metropolitan Regatta, Dorney Lake - 1st June 2008

At the Metropolitan Regatta on Sunday 1st June. outstanding performances were recorded by Imogen Walsh (Clyde ARC), daughter of Inverness President Paddy Walsh. In her heat of Women's Lightweight Elite Single Sculls, she qualified for the final in second place in a time of a 8:19.45. In the final, she closely shadowed the sculler from Mortlake & Anglia Boat Club for the first 1500 metres before putting in a strong finishing burst to win the event by just over one second in an excellent time of 7:58.44.

In the Senior 1 Eights event. Alan Sinclair was a member of the Leander (A) crew which convincingly won their heat in a time of 6:04.05 and followed that up with a solid win in the final by approximetely one length over Tideway Scullers

Results

Senior 1 Eights Old Barnes Cup


Race 6 Heat 2 of 3 1/2 to F, 3/4 to R

1 Leander Club (A) 1:26.54 2:56.55 4:33.71 6:04.05
2 Tideway Scullers' School 1:29.75 3:01.59 4:29.68 6:06.84
3 Molesey BC (B) 1:32.19 3:06.88 4:38.82 6:11.43
4 Thames Tradesmen's RC 1:30.13 3:05.10 4:39.62 6:12.37
5 Vesta RC 1:41.31 4:40.26 6:12.61
6 Glasgow University BC 1:31.55 3:05.65 4:42.44 6:18.27


Race 86 Final

1 Leander Club (A) 1:25.22 2:52.08 4:22.10 N.T.T.
2 Tideway Scullers' School 1:28.00 2:56.30 4:25.10 N.T.T.
3 Leander Club (B) 1:30.75 2:58.48 4:27.72 N.T.T.
4 Agecroft RC 1:28.96 3:00.12 N.T.T. N.T.T.
5 London RC (A) 1:29.79 2:59.14 4:29.17 N.T.T.
6 Molesey BC (A) 1:27.47 2:58.16 4:30.46 N.T.T.
7 London RC (B) N.T.T. 2:58.85 4:31.60 N.T.T.


Women’s Lightweight Elite Single Sculls - Beatrice Marie Winter Trophy

Race 19 Heat 3 of 3 1/2 to F, 3/4 to R

1 London RC (S Cullen) 1:57.81 4:04.25 6:10.55 8:18.42
2 Clyde ARC (I Walsh) 1:58.82 4:03.86 6:10.17 8:19.45
3 Vesta RC (C Gilliver) 2:01.86 4:08.16 6:16.29 8:28.49
4 Reading RC (A Redwood-Brown)2:02.14 4:11.39 6:23.04 8:38.08
5 Eton Excelsior RC (J Harris)2:05.12 4:20.70 6:38.61 8:53.91


Race 82 - Final

1 Clyde ARC (I Walsh) 1:58.41 3:59.14 6:01.52 7:58.44
2 Mortlake Anglian&AlphaBC D Mallinson1:55.34 3:56.75 6:00.08 7:59.75
3 Mortlake Anglian & Alpha BC (C Aitken)1:58.88 3:59.71 6:03.90 8:04.58
4 Exeter University BC (N Spencer) 1:57.21 4:00.52 6:06.01 8:07.03
5 London RC (S Cullen) 4:01.56 6:06.87 8:09.26
6 Tideway Scullers' School (K Scanlan) 4:03.12 6:08.30 8:15.02
7 Vesta RC (C Gilliver) 4:16.61 8:49.66



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 1st June 2008

Metropolitan Regatta, Dorney Lake - 31st May 2008

METROPOLITAN REGATTA – Saturday 31st May 2008

Mens Senior 2 Single Sculls

Race 10 Heat 3 of 4 1/2 to SF, 3 to R

1 Leander Club (A Sinclair) 1:46.97 3:40.44 5:37.42 7:36.36
2 Imperial College BC (A Gordon)1:51.09 3:46.12 5:43.23 7:39.07
3 Globe RC (M Jaques) 1:50.66 3:47.86 5:45.01 7:40.21
4 Univ of Limerick, Ireland (A Hurley) 1:51.26 3:47.57 5:44.78 7:45.78
5 Leander Club (P Gostling)1:50.003:46.55 5:47.29 7:48.56
6 London RC (S Bever) 1:52.02 3:59.04 6:00.89 8:01.77
7 Headington School, Oxford BC (S Wells)1:49.31 3:50.70 5:57.52 8:05.10


Race 30 Semi Final 2 3 to F

1 Leander Club (A Sinclair)1:46.05 3:41.21 5:33.16 7:25.69
2 London RC (R Dunley) 1:46.24 3:40.11 5:32.65 7:26.36
3 Leander Club (E Barry)1:48.79 3:43.74 5:36.90 7:26.81
4 London RC (J Butler) 1:48.32 3:42.06 5:35.40 7:27.39
5 Globe RC (M Jaques) 1:48.86 3:51.27 5:48.02 7:37.79
6 Henley RC (S Meehan) 1:48.52 3:47.74 5:47.05 7:44.65

Race 78 Final

1 Leander Club (A Sinclair)1:47.16 3:39.08 5:31.05 7:21.68
2 Imperial College BC (O Tietz)1:51.58 3:42.61 5:34.55 7:25.59
3 Leander Club (E Barry)1:51.04 3:43.96 5:36.07 7:29.38
4 London RC (R Dunley) 1:50.37 3:43.48 5:35.75 7:33.75
5 Molesey BC (P Keane)
6 Maidstone Invicta RC (S Hampshire)


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 1st June 2008

CASTLE SEMPLE REGATTA – SUCCESS IN THE WIND

A small team of women and junior rowers competed in Renfrewshire over the weekend, returning home triumphant with two sets of gold medals and five silvers. Castle Semple Regatta on Lochwinnoch on Saturday 17th was a wet and windy place to be, and the conditions were choppy and variable.

Top junior performers were Meghan Hunter and Rachael Wells who won the J14 double scull by an almost embarrassing margin (more than 8 lengths!) although they are officially J13. Both girls are part of the Inverness J13 quadruple scull, racing with Sarah Cameron, Adam Geddes (cox) and a new novice in the crew – Kirsty Guild – which challenged Nithsdale RC all the way down the course, to finish just a few metres behind the winners in second place, with Aberdeen Schools RA taking third.

In the J13 singles, both Rachael Wells and Meghan Hunter were pushing hard to catch the leading Castle Semple sculler, taking close second and third places less than 5 seconds apart. Sarah Cameron finished 5th in her single close behind ASRA.

In the J13 double sculls, the Inverness crews took silver and bronze positions while Castle Semple won gold.

In the women’s veteran races, Shelagh Lombard and Susanne Standish-Hunter were first over the line in Vet A/B doubles, with Katie Van Exan and Hazel Geddes a close third after Aberdeen BC. These four women teamed up for the Women’s R2 coxed quadruple scull where they faced a neck and neck fight with a composite Nithsdale/Castle Semple crew. On the line there was less than a second between them, and the composite prevailed. St Andrew BC was 3rd.

Veteran D scullers, Mary Clouston and Sally Moore came second in the Vet C/D doubles behind a very polished C crew from Strathclyde Park. Mary and Sally also raced in singles but conditions were too choppy and neither one placed in the top group. Mary found the water easier later in the day when she achieved third place in the Novice single behind scullers from Robert Gordon University and Aberdeen Schools.

Hazel Geddes and Katie Van Exan qualified for the R2 doubles final but chose to conserve their energies for the R2 quad – hence no final result.

Both the Inverness men’s quad entries had to be scratched due to two crew members being separately injured and unable to compete.

WOMEN
Vet 1X 4th Mary Clouston 5th Sally Moore
Vet AB 2X 1st Susanne Standish-Hunter + Shelagh Lombard
3rd Katie Van Exan + Hazel Geddes
Vet CD 2X 2nd, Mary Clouston + Sally Moore
R2 2X Qual for final but did not race Katie Van Exan + Hazel Geddes
R2 4X+ 2nd Susanne Standish-Hunter, Katie Van Exan, Shelagh Lombard, Hazel Geddes + Adam Geddes
Nov 1X 3rd Mary Clouston

J13 1X 2nd, 3rd, 5th, Rachael Wells, Meghan Hunter, Sarah Cameron
J13 2X 2nd, 3rd,Rachael Wells + Meghan Hunter, Sarah Cameron + Kirsty Guild
J13 4X+ 2nd Sarah Cameron, Kirsty Guild, Rachael Wells, Meghan Hunter, Adam Geddes
J14 2X 1st Rachael Wells + Meghan Hunter

MEN
Unfortunately both Nov and R2 4X+s were scratched and the Vet 4X did not run.
No men attended – Moritz injured his back and Ken Sinclair injured his knee.

Report: Susanne Standish-Hunter (Captain)


Report submitted by - Susanne Hunter - Captain, Inverness Rowing Club - 21st May 2008

A simpler password

Following numerous requests... I've implemented a simpler password for the members' section. I'll send an email around to this effect shortly.
The old combination still works, so if your browser already knows this, you need do no more.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 29th April 2008

Strathclyde Park Regatta - 26th/27th April 2008

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success and many good performances at the two day Strathclyde Park Regatta in Hamilton last weekend in variable weather conditions.


In the difficult windy conditions on Saturday, a number of fine performances were achieved by Inverness crews in various events. Tom Baker and Alastair Duff raced in two double sculls events, achieving fifth and second places in Restricted 2 and Veteran events respectively. In Veteran single sculls, Hazel Geddes and Mary Clouston claimed second and third places respectively, whilst Geddes was joined by Hazel Smith, Katie Van Exan and Susanne Standish-Hunter in an exciting Veteran quad sculls event losing out by a narrow margin to a crew from Strathclyde Park RC. Juniors also produced some determined performances in the fickle windy conditions in Junior 13 double sculls when second place was achieved by the Meghan Hunter/Rachael Wells crew with the Jennifer Warwick/Sarah Cameron combination in fourth place. Colin Sinclair qualified in second place in his semi-final in Novice single sculls but just missed out on the bronze medal position in the final of this event. He also raced in the Mens Junior 18 single sculls finishing just outside the medal positions.


In the calmer conditions on the Sunday the Inverness younger junior squad members Sarah Cameron (bow), Jennifer Warwick, Rachael Wells, Meghan Hunter (stroke), and Adam Geddes (cox) excelled in the final of the junior 13 coxed quadruple sculls winning by several lengths over a crew from Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association. All five, plus Shaun Hunter took part in a variety of junior 12 and junior 13 single and double sculling events throughout the regatta with commendable performances in these events.


In single sculls, Alastair Duff achieved a fine second place finish in his Veteran single sculls event.John Sharkey finished strongly in the Veteran single sculls event with a similarly impressive performance being produced by Mary Clouston in the Novice single sculls. Dave Rothwell and Ken Andrews achieved a fourth place in Veteran double sculls and along with Sharkey and Moritz Bauer claimed another fourth place in the Veteran quad sculls event. In the final of the Restricted 2 single sculls, Colin Sinclair was within one second of second place in a blanket finish and later sculled to fourth place in the Restricted 1 event. Hazel Geddes and Katie Van Exan sculled to a fine third place finish in the final of their Veteran A double sculls event whilst Susanne Standish-Hunter and Hazel Smith completed their weekend with a solid second place in the Veteran C double sculls finishing closely behind their Strathclyde Park RC opponents.

The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the the Castle Semple Regatta which takes place on Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire on 17th May.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 28th April 2008

Aberdeen North East Regatta - 19th and 20th April and SPR 2008 Preview

Inverness Rowing Club had two representatives at last weekend’s Aberdeen North East Regatta on the River Dee.

On Saturday, Colin Sinclair took part in the Mens Novice and Open single sculls, achieving success in his two earlier rounds in the Novice event but in the extremely close final missed out by a mere two feet to Feargal O’Shea of Robert Gordon University Boat Club. In the final of the Open event the experienced Andrew Crosland of Aberdeen Boat Club crossed the line approximately three lengths ahead of the fast finishing Inverness sculler.

Hazel Smith, rowing in the colours of Victoria Bridge Boat Club was in the crew which won the Womens Veteran Double Sculls on Saturday with a win being recorded on Sunday in the Womens Veteran Fours event, beating crews representing Aberdeen Boat Club in both of these events.

Next weekend sees a sizeable contingent of Inverness members taking part in a variety of Veteran, Senior and Junior events at the popular two day Strathclyde Park Regatta on the 2000 metre International rowing course near Hamilton.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 21st April 2008

Spring Regattas

This is a friendly reminder that there are three regattas approaching rapidly - NE Regatta in Aberdeen - SPR - and Castle Semple next month.
Entries to the NE Regatta in Aberdeen (19+20 April) and Strathclyde Park Regatta (26+27 April) must be with me no later than this Friday evening at 6pm. Please check the attached event lists, especially noting the race distances, and let me know which events you would like to enter. Entry fees are £7 per senior and £5 per junior for both these regattas.
Please would you also indicate which boat you would like to race in as I need to consider potential boat clashes.

I am also attaching the event list for Castle Semple so that you can plan ahead! Entries for Semple imust be with me by Sunday 4th May.

Happy training...
Susanne

Report submitted by - Susanne Hunter - Captain, Inverness Rowing Club - 9th April 2008

Comittee Meeting Minutes

Latest minutes are up in the members' section.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 3rd April 2008

Personal epistle by Alan Sinclair on HORR 2008

So, as promised, my 8's Head story! But before I start, this is a pretty detailed account - so my apologies to those with less rowing interest!!!

Finding out that we would be rowing as Leander IV, it was somewhat demoralising. It meant we, being a new entry, would start 212th - a big disadvantage, having less stream, bouncy water and inexperienced crews to steer around. But despite this initial negativity, we took it on board as another challenge and opportunity to turn some heads. The crew formation got changed around just over a week beforehand and I was promoted to stroke. Doing some pieces against Leander II (Ladies Plate), we knew we were going well, when not only we were beating them on percentage, but on actual time!

So in the couple days before the race, we moved from the Henley stretch to the Tideway to get used to the different water. And differing to my past experiences of Tideway training, it was rather enjoyable!!!

On the day of the race we moved from Mortlake boathouse to the ARA boathouse. It’s incredible how much atmosphere there is in that tiny shed beside Hammersmith Bridge! Squeezing 4 crews and coaches upstairs for changing, race chats and toilets is a challenge in itself. But the thing I noticed and appreciated most in the last hour before launching for the race was how relaxed everyone was. Having just as much, if not more jokes and laughs as in training, it made it impossible to get nervous.

So getting changed into the borrowed kit and ready for race, we then had our pre-race chat. Main emphasis of the day being on 'Clear Heads, Big Hearts!' Hands on the boat and all the ex-Leander boys give you a clap/cheer as you walk down to the stage. With the club Photographer snapping away as we step into the boat, I felt almost like a celebrity! But as soon as we push off, it’s down to business and on with our warm up. We swerve around crew after crew and scrabble together as much as we can preparation-wise just before finding our marshalling point just upstream of Barnes Bridge. There, we had over an hours wait until we moved up again and started. Entertaining myself by teasing my 7man for getting stage-fright, trying to pee into a bottle and cheering on crews I knew, the time flew by.

We moved up and pulled on race kit ready to go and pumped up for a gruelling 18 minutes of pain.

Rowing through the start-line having built up the rate to 38 we had 45 seconds before we lengthened out to our pace. Striding out to 34, we began reeling in the crews ahead. Despite the very uncomfortable water, we shot through two crews at Barnes and made our way into the pack of relatively novice crews. I honestly don’t remember much up until Hammersmith Bridge - where the majority of spectators watch. And boy, what a noise! Instantly, without any call from the cox, I could feel everyone, including myself pushing harder. It was an incredible lift that would give us the boost right up until the finishing stretch along Putney Embankment. Lifting the rate in steps, we powered up to a scrappy 38/39 over the line followed by a collapse over the handle. It’s only at this point I really feel the lactate scream up and down my legs. And being a Head race, when compared to side by side racing, you dont know if you've won or lost.

Getting back to the club, we de-rigged, got changed, loaded boat onto trailer and most of us went separate ways. I met up with Annamay and joined a few of the other lads for a drink in the pub round the corner. Halfway through my pint and more significantly, mid-sip, I get this massive smack of my shoulders with a scream of 'F*****G NINTH, F*****G BRILLIANT!!!!' in my ears. I honestly thought it was a joke to start with. But I was wrong, we managed to exceed expectations by about 10 places. The first race this year I have felt really happy with result. I hope there's more to come!!!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=m-_n0xAY5Zo - 3mins 11seconds and you'll see us rowing off Hammersmith Bridge.

Speak to you all soon

Al


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 24th March 2008

Site Updates

Please note that a new duty rota is out.
You should have received a copy by email, but a reminder that it can also be found in the members section.
To access the members section, a reminder that the username is "admin" and the password is a phrase which describes the distance of our head course.

Also to be found in the members section are draft minutes from the AGM, and minutes from comittee meetings.

Finally we have a few new pictures in the gallery.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 20th March 2008

Tideway HORR

On Saturday 15th March in the Tideway Eights Head of the River on the River Thames, Alan Sinclair was the stroke man in the Leander Senior 2 crew which started at number 212 in a field of 420 crews.
In spite of starting halfway down the field where there was less assistance from the ebb tide, the crew raced past another 12 crews and finished in 9th place overall and just five seconds outside the winning time for the Senior 2 pennant posted by Durham University which started at number 15.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 20th March 2008

Aberdeen Universities Boat Race 2008

Three Inverness oarspersons took part in the Aberdeen Asset Management Aberdeen Universities Boat Races on Sunday 9th March. All three were involved in the Alumni event with Black Isle rowers Ruth Hobson (now studying for her PhD at Reading University) in the bow seat and Alan Sinclair (now rowing with the Leander Club in Henley on Thames) in the No 7 seat of the Aberdeen University Boat Club’s crew. Hazel Smith was a member of the Robert Gordon University Boat Club’s crew which lost out by a margin of just under two lengths in a fine competitive race with their Aberdeen University opponents.

Next Saturday, Sinclair is in the stroke seat of the Leander S2 Eight which challenges with an international field of 420 other crews in the Tideway Eights Head of the River on the River Thames.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 11st March 2008

READING HEAD OF THE RIVER

Reading University Head of the River Results 2008
(PROVISIONAL)

23rd February 2008

Division 1

Overall Finish position
1 12m 47.5s 1 Elite ISIS
2 13m 17.2s 2 Elite LEANDER
3 13m 22.0s 5 S2 OXFORD BROOKES
4 13m 27.9s 6 S2 LEANDER

Alan Sinclair was a member of the Leander S2 Eight

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 25th February 2008

ABERDEEN EIGHTS HEAD – Saturday 23rd February 2008

Inverness Rowing Club were represented by two crews at the Aberdeen Eights Head which took place in bright but difficult windy conditions on the upstream course on the River Dee on Saturday 23rd February.

The Mixed Veteran Eight of Roy Sinclair (bow), Katie van Exam, Ken Sinclair, John Sharkey, Hazel Geddes, Hazel Smith, Susanne Standish-Hunter, Tom Baker (stroke) and A Newman (cox) recorded a fine time of 12minutes . 01 seconds on the flood tide to overcome the equivalent Aberdeen Boat Club crew by exactly one minute. This included a determined push at the King George VI Bridge where some experienced coxing assisted in a delicate overtaking manoeuvre narrowly avoiding a serious clashing of blades and in doing so overtook two other crews in the process. This crew also took part in the Division 2 of this event, recording a satisfactory time of 13 minutes 19 seconds against the river flow on the ebb tide.

Also taking part was junior single sculler Colin Sinclair who recorded a satisfying time of 13 minutes 49 seconds in Division 1.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 24th February 2008

Head of the Trent - 17th February 2008

Results for Head of Trent Division 1

1 E 8+ - Cambridge (15.47) Blue boat
2 S1 8+ - Cambridge (16.02) Goldie
3 S2 8+ - Oxford Brookes (16.23)
4 S2 8+ - Leander (16.33) (stroke - Alan Sinclair)
5 S1 8+ - Agecroft (16.34)

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 17th February 2008

Tenon Ltd Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head and Scottish Squad Time Trial Assessment

INVERNESS ROWING CLUB
Tordarroch
Belmaduthy
Munlochy
Ross-shire IV8 8PF
Phone/fax 01463 811747
Email:Roy.Sinclair@tesco.net

ATTENTION--SPORTS EDITOR—and other interested parties


TENON LTD INVERNESS EIGHTS AND SMALL BOATS HEAD AND SCOTTISH SQUAD TIME TRIAL ASSESSMENT


An excellent entry of 80 crews was received for the Tenon Ltd Inverness Eights
and Small Boats Head which took place in dry, sunny and calm conditions on
Saturday 16th February on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal
in Inverness. Rowed in two divisions over the 4.5km course, the first race started at 12 noon with the
second at 2.30pm.

Fastest mens crew of the day was the Mens Open Eight from Castle Semple/Stirling/Clydesdale Rowing Clubs with a time of 15 minutes 56.64 seconds whilst the Womens R1 Eight from Clydesdale/Glasgow/Dundee University Rowing Clubs was fastest womens crew of the day with a time of 17 minutes 19.30 seconds.

Inverness crews which performed with distinction were the Mens Veteran Eight (Morton) which took second place in the Veteran Eights with an adjusted time of 17 minutes 18.97 seconds, the Inverness/Reading Womens R1 Eight (Standish-Hunter) with a second place time of 19 minutes 00.45 seconds, the Mens Veteran Double Sculls (Rothwell) in an adjusted time of 20 minutes.20.29 seconds, the Mens J!8 Single Sculls (Sinclair) in a time of 22 minutes 16.61 seconds and the Mens Novice Double Sculls (Bauer) in a time of 22 minutes 29.48 seconds.
As a prelude to the Tenon Eights event, the Scottish Senior and Junior Time Trial Assessment was held earlier in the day with athletes from as far away as Reading taking part. Fastest crew in the Time Trial was the Mens Coxless Pair of Andrew McConnell and Chris Philips from Clydesdale ARC with an excellent time of 19 minutes 7.38 seconds over the longer 5000 metre course. Fastest womens crew was the Womens Coxless Pair of Ellie Dorman (Clydesdale ARC) and Stephanie McDowell (Aberdeen University Boat Club) with a fine time of 20 minutes 45.64 seconds.


Results – Winners
Division 1
Mens Open Eights – Castle Semple/Stirling/Clydesdale Rowing Clubs (Murray)---15.56
Mens R2 Eights – Robert Gordons University Boat Club (O’Shea)---17.31
Mens Open Coxless Pairs – Clydesdale ARC (McConnell)---18.24
Mens Open Single Sculls – Clyde ARC (Logan)---18.40
Mens J18 Eights – ASRA (Wallace)---18.59
Mens J18 Double Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Gourlay)---19.57
Mens Veteran Double Sculls – Strathclyde Park/Clydesdale RC (Hewitt)---20.49 (18.07)
Mens Novice Single Sculls – Strathclyde Park RC (Wong)---21.01
Mens J16 Single Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Murty)---21.27
Mens Novice Double Sculls – Inverness RC (Bauer)---23.05
Womens R1 Eights – Clydesdale/Glasgow/Dundee University RC (Gorton-Philips)----17.19
Womens Novice Eights – Aberdeen Boat Club (Schooling)---20.52
Womens Veteran Double Sculls – St Andrew Boat Club (Rutter)---21.15 (21.04)
Womens J16 Single Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (McCahill)---22.09
Womens R2 Single Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Fowler)---23.05
Division 2
Mens Veteran Eights – Castle Semple/Stirling/Clydesdale RC (Murray)---16.03 (15.53)
Mens R1 Eights - Aberdeen University Boat Club (Robinson)----16.38
Mens R2 Double Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Irvine)---18.50
Mens Lightweight Single Sculls – Clyde ARC (Logan)---19.06
Mens Novice Eights - Dundee University Boat Club (Warner)----19.35
Mens J16 Double Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Gourlay)---20.27
Mens J18 Single Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Murty)---21.05
Mens Veteran D/E/F Single Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (Matheson)---21.55 (19.04)
Mens Veteran A/B/C Single Sculls – Loch Lomond RC (Arnold)---22.10 (21.30)
Womens Open Eights - Clydesdale/Glasgow/Dundee University RC (Gorton-Philips)----17.21
Womens J18 Eights – ASRA (Bonnamy)---18.35
Womens R2 Eights – St Andrew Boat Club (McDonald)---19.01

Womens R2 Double Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Limond)---19.49
Womens Novice Double Sculls – St Andrew Boat Club (Mendum)---24.13
Womens Novice Single Sculls – Castle Semple RC (Robertson)---25.45


Prizes were presented to winning crews by Inverness Captain Susanne Standish-Hunter – on behalf of event sponsor Tenon Ltd


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 17th February 2008

SARA Racing Licences for 2008

re. SARA RACING LICENCES for 2008 - Roy Sinclair 17:40 3rd February 2008
SARA Racing Licences for 2008

2008 Racing Licences have now been received for the following members:-

Moritz Bauer
Gary Hunt
Lesley Moore
Dave Rothwell
Kenneth Andrews
Meghan Hunter
Shaun Hunter
Ian Hunter
Susanne Standish-Hunter
Tom Baker
Amanda Towrie
Ken Sinclair
Hazel Geddes
Patrick V. Walsh
Colin R. Sinclair
Roy R. Sinclair
Hazel Smith
Mary Clouston
John Sharkey
Alastair Duff
Iain R. Morton
Adam Geddes
Neil Wallace

Contact Roy Sinclair to uplift your racing licence


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 3rd February 2008

Tenon Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head 16th february 2008

REMINDER

Entries must be in to Hazel Geddes by Friday 8th February at the very latest. If you have not already applied for a Racing Licence a\s at 31st January and are selected to compete in this event, you are required to make an application for a SARA Day Licence to allow you to compete

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 3rd February 2008

Tenon Ltd Inverness 8s and Small Boats Head.

I am pleased to announce that details can now be downloaded from our Events Page

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th January 2008

Tenon 8s and Small Boats Head

details later today.....

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th January 2008

Info for the Regatta?

Hi Neil

Was wondering if you had got the info onto the SARA website yet?

Report submitted by - Hazel Geddes - Treasurer, Inverness Rowing Club - 29th January 2008

SARA RACING LICENCE APPLICATIONS 2008

So far I've received three applications together with the correct application fees. Can everyone else who wishes to race in 2008 please take a look at the SARA newspage to get the appropriate information and application form, complete it and send both the completed form and cheque for the correct amount (made payable to SARA)to me ASAP so that I can get a decent size batch of applications off the SARA Racing Control Convenor Sandy Walker at least two full weeks before anyone is due to compete in the first event in this seasons regatta calendar. Your prompt co-operation would be appreciated.


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 6th January 2008

Still more snow in Canada

Sorry can't join in on Tuesday morning's outing as we'll still be enjoying the white stuff in Tremblant. Have a good row!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With very best wishes to you all for a Happy New Year - and remeber - your New Year resolutions should include early submission of your racing licence applications for 2008

All the best



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th December 2007

Fancy a new year row

anyone available Tuesday morning

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th December 2007

Snow in Canada

Hi there everyone from Ontario

Deep snow in Ottawa at moment and more to come

Hope all is well on the canal

With best wishes to you all for a Happy Christmas and a Guid New Year

See you all in 2008 - and remember to get your 2008 racing licenece applications and related cheques to me ASAP in 2008

All the best

Roy, Colin, Alan, Glenda and Rhona

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 25th December 2007

A friend of our club will be on the telly tomorrow.

Carole Wallace of ABC is featured on the BBC tomorrow, and in this article from the Radio Times.
Part 1
Part 2


Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 17th December 2007

Inverness Area Sports Council - Awards Night - Friday 7th December

In the presence of a variety of local sports personalities, the Provost of Inverness and our own President, Vice President and their wives, Colin Sinclair received the Male under 18 Sports Personality Award for 2007

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 9th December 2007

People's Millions

In case you missed it... I've put a copy of last night's News item featuring our very own Susanne Hunter in the member's section.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th November 2007

Forum

To answer the call for better communications - I've added a forum to the members section.
Also I note we have a healthy number of suggestions for Boat Names. Perhaps we should set a deadline for a decision?

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 29th November 2007

Rutherford Head in Newcastle upon Tyne

Tom Baker travels south of the border to take part in the Rutherford Head over a 5000 metre course on the River Tyne in Newcastle on Saturday 1st December. He will be rowing in Veteran Coxed Fours with St Andrew Boat Club in division 1 and in Veteran Eights with Berwick Amateur Rowing Club in division 2.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 27th November 2007

A mad idea from Neil Wallace and Hazel Smith....

Anyone fancy doing the Heineken Roeivierkamp in Amsterdam next year?
Dates are 8 & 9 march 2008.
See members' section for more details.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 19th November 2007

MORRISON CONSTRUCTION FOURS AND SMALL BOATS HEADS

An excellent entry of over 170 crews was received for the Morrison Construction Fours and Small Boats Heads which took place in variable weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday, 17th and 18th November on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. The Fours Head took place on the Saturday in difficult blustery conditions whilst Sunday’s weather was calm but very wet for the athletes in the Small Boats Head.

The Mens Open Fours was won by Glasgow University Boat Club crew of Hayhurst, Stevenson, Rice, C Logan (stroke) and Maini (cox) in a time of 16 minutes 17.9 seconds whilst the Womens Open Fours went to the Aberdeen University Boat Club crew of Fischer, McDowall, Hunter, Toal (stroke) and Hamilton (cox) in a time of 19 minutes 05.5 seconds.

The Mens Veteran Fours was a closely contested affair with the Inverness crew of Ken Sinclair, Tom Baker, John Sharkey, Iain Morton (stroke) and Adam Geddes (cox) winning by a margin of 7 seconds over the second placed crew from St Andrew Boat Club. In the Womens Veteran Quadruple Sculls, the Inverness crew of Hazel Geddes, Hazel Smith, Susanne Standish-Hunter and Mandy Towrie recorded a winning time of 18 minutes 42.3 seconds in a keenly fought contest with a crew from Strathclyde Park Rowing Club

In the Small Boats events on the Sunday, fastest crew of the day was the Clyde ARC/Glasgow UBC Mens Open Double Scull of Chris and Jonny Logan who recorded a fine time of 16 minutes 54.9 seconds. Imogen Walsh of Clyde ARC (daughter of Inverness Club President Paddy Walsh) had a good day on the water, winning both the Womens Open and Restricted 2 Single Sculls events. Also competing in the Small Boats event was the Loch Lomond ARC Adaptive Single Sculler Graeme Stewart who successfully completed the full 4500 metre course in an outstanding time of 36 minutes 02.6 seconds

Also at the weekend, Inverness athlete Colin Sinclair took part in the GB Junior Rowing Trials at Boston, Lincolnshire where he recorded a commendable time of 21 minutes 59 seconds over the 5 km course in a field of some 160 other single scullers from throughout the UK

Results
Winners of Fours Events
Division 1
Mens Open Fours – Glasgow University Boat Club (Logan) --- 16.17
Mens Novice Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Docherty) --- 17.29
Mens Veteran Quad Sculls – Glasgow Rowing Clubl (Craig) --- 19.52
Womens Open Quad Sculls – Aberdeen University Boat Club (Crighton) ---17.33
Womens R2 Fours – Edinburgh University Boat Club (Mortimer) --- 18.45
Womens Novice Coxed Quad Sculls – Glasgow University Boat Club (Alex) --- 19.43
Division 2
Mixed Open Quads Sculls – Glasgow University Boat Club (Logan) --- 15.58
Mens R2 Fours – Edinburgh University Boat Club (Brooman) ---16.52
Mens Veteran Fours – Inverness Rowing Club (Morton) --- 17.54
Womens Open Fours – Aberdeen University Boat Club (Toal) --- 19.05
Womens Veteran Quad Sculls - Inverness Rowing Club (Towrie) --- 18.42
Womens Novice Fours – Strathclyde University Boat Club (Dunn) --- 21.50

Winners of Small Boats Events
Division 1
Mens Open Double Sculls – Clyde ARC/Glasgow UBC (Logan) --- 16.49
Mens Novice Double Sculls – Glasgow University Boat Club (Rice) --- 18.18
Mens R2 Coxless Pairs – Strathclyde Park RC (Barton) --- 18.31
Mens Veteran A/B/C Single Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (Crosland) --- 19.24
Mens R2 Single Sculls – Clyde ARC (Murphy) --- 19.51
Mens Veteran D/E/F Single Sculls – Glasgow RC (Trenchard) --- 19.08
Womens R2 Double Sculls – Aberdeen University Boat Club (Toal) --- 19.47
Womens Open Single Sculls – Clyde ARC (Walsh) --- 21.22
Womens Novice Single Sculls – Glasgow Caledonian University ARC (Borthwick) --- 23.20
Womens Junior 16 Single Sculls – The Glasgow Academy (Cranston) --- 24.49
Division 2
Mens Open Coxless Pairs – Glasgow University Boat Club (Logan) --- 17.55
Mens Open Single Sculls – Clyde RC (Logan) --- 18.18
Mens R2 Double Sculls – St Andrew BC/Strathclyde Park RC(Glennie) --- 18.53
Mens Novice Single Sculls – Loch Lomond ARC (Docwra) --- 20.11
Mixed Veteran Double Sculls – Glasgow RC/Aberdeen BC (Mathieson) --- 17.41
Mens Junior 16 Single Sculls - Loch Lomond ARC (Claxton) --- 24.19
Mens Novice Double Sculls – Inverness RC (Hunt) --- 24.27
Mens Adaptive Single Sculls - Loch Lomond ARC (Stewart) --- 36.02
Womens Open Double Sculls – Aberdeen University Boat Club (Toall) --- 19.54
Womens R2 Single Sculls - Clyde ARC (Walsh) --- 21.26
Womens Junior 18 Single Sculls – Strathclyde Park RC (Gaddis) --- 23.19
Womens Junior 18 Double Sculls – The Glasgow Academy (Cranston) --- 24.55


Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 19th November 2007

Morrison Construction Fours and Small Boats Heads

The results are now up in a bewildering array of formats - do have a play with the by club/by category links in particular... they are most illuminating!
To get there, click on Events/Results.

On Behalf of the organisers, a big thankyou to every competitor for making this such a fun event to host.
If you would like to let us know what we did well, and where we can make improvements for next years head races, please let us know via our Guestbook (it's not moderated - so no swear words please!

See you next year.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 18th November 2007

Draw for this coming weekend

Folks, I've put up a new version of the draw for this weekend Here.

This page will update to reflect crew substitutions as they arrive (SABC seem to be hit with the dreaded lurgy!)

IRC members involved in Regatta control may wish to check out the detailed version, which is available in the members section.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 15th November 2007

MORRISON CONSTRUCTION FOURS AND SMALL BOATS HEADS

Next weekend 17th and 18th November sees a large entry of fours and small boats competing in the club’s two day Morrison Construction Fours and Small Boats Heads which take place on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.

Over 170 crews from all over Scotland including a large entry from Scottish University Rowing Clubs will be travelling to Inverness to compete in this highly significant event in the Scottish rowing calendar. Racing starts at 11.30am and 2.pm on Saturday for the Fours event with slightly earlier start times of 11am and 1pm for the Small Boats event on Sunday.




Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 13rd November 2007

Aberdeen Fours and Small Boats Head of the River Dee - plus preview of Morrison Construction Fours and Small Boats Heads in Inverness

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club achieved considerable success at last weekend’s Aberdeen Head of the River Races on the River Dee.

On Saturday, current World Masters Champions Hazel Geddes (bow), Mandy Towrie, Susanne Standish-Hunter, Hazel Smith (stroke) and Heather MacDonald (cox) were worthy winners of the Womens Veteran Fours event in Division 1 with a fine time of 12 minutes 4 seconds, which was matched by the same time recorded by Colin Sinclair in his single scull.

On Sunday in Division 1, further medals were won by Tom Baker and Alastair Duff in the Veteran Double Sculls in a net time of 12 minutes 0 seconds and by Colin Sinclair in Restricted 2 Single Sculls. In Division 2, Hazel Smith and Hazel Geddes won the Veteran Coxless Pairs event whilst Alastair Duff and Colin Sinclair won their respective Veteran C/D and Novice Single Sculls events with Tom Baker narrowly missing first place in his Veteran E/F Single Sculls event.

Next weekend sees a large entry of fours and small boats competing in the club’s two day Morrison Construction Fours and Small Boats Heads which take place on the Caledonian Canal on Saturday (Fours) and Sunday (Small Boats) with crews from all over Scotland travelling to Inverness to compete in this highly significant event in the Scottish rowing calendar. Racing starts at 11.30am and 2.pm on Saturday for the Fours event with slightly earlier start times of 11am and 1pm for the Small Boats event on Sunday.



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 12nd November 2007

Entries Now Closed

Entries for the Morrison Construction Fours Head and the Morrison Construction Small Boats Head are now being processed.
We hope to have the draw up tomorrow (Monday) evening.
It is looking to be a very well supported event once again. a total of 160 + crews racing over the two days.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 11th November 2007

Aberdeen Fours and Small Boats Heads - 10th & 11th November 2007

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club travel to Aberdeen this coming weekend to take part in the Aberdeen Fours and Small Boats Heads which take place on the River Dee.
World Masters Champions from Inverness will take part in the womens fours events on Saturday and a variety of male and female athletes will contest the small boats events on Sunday over the testing 3000 metre upstream course.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 6th November 2007

Entries coming in thick and fast for Morrison Ivs and Small Boats Heads.

We've already had a healthy number of entries for our head races.

Inverness members have yet to enter... please get organised well before the deadline!
See member's section for more details.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 5th November 2007

Fullers Fours Head

In the Fullers Fours Head on the Thames on Saturday 3rd November, Scots athletes Colin Williamson and Alan Sinclair were members of Senior 2 Quadruple Sculls crews representing Leander Club. With both athletes sitting in the three seat of their respective crews, Colin’s crew finished 8th overall in a time 19.11.84 to win the Sen2 4X pennant whilst Alan’s crew, with starting position no 87 and overtaking 12 crews on the Tideway course, finished 24th overall in a time of 19.37.79 and 6th fastest out of 40 crews in Sen2 4X

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 5th November 2007

HEAD OF THE RIVER FOURS - Tideway - 3 November 2007

Report by Leander Press Officer Robert Treharne Jones
More details can be found on the Fullers' Fours Head website

All our crews will appreciate your support at the ARA boathouse and from all the usual vantage points along the course!

The nine Leander crews entered for this year's Fours Head will be looking to better last year's performance when our crews won the pennants for both men's and women's elite coxless fours.

But the usual crop of autumn viruses and injuries among the squad means that some familiar faces won't be taking part. They include Colin Smith and also Olympic champion Steve Williams, whose crewmates Alex Partridge and Pete Reed will team up with Rick Egington and Marcus Bateman in their attempt to regain the coxed fours pennant they lost to Cambridge University in last year's race.

Racing as Leander I will be the club's top quad, a crew which includes lightweight world medallist Mark Hunter in the bow seat, with former world bronze medallists Matt Wells and Steve Rowbotham forming the stern pair. Tideway Scullers beat Leander into second place in last year's race and in a bid to retain the headship Scullers have once again gathered a cosmopolitan crew, including Mahe Drysdale, the world champion from New Zealand, and Slovenian Iztok Cop, world champion in double sculls, who will compete with GB single sculler Alan Campbell.

Our top women's boat will be the quad, stroked by world champion Debbie Flood, who had to miss last year's race due to injury. The crew also includes Lou Reeve and Georgina Menheneott, bronze medallists in the GB women's eight at this year's world championships in Munich, with world lightweight silver medallist Jane Hall at bow. The crew face opposition from Debbie's fellow world champions, all of whom have returned to their clubs for the event, while Tideway Scullers have recruited world class scullers Sophie Balmary from France and Frida Svensson of Sweden to help strengthen their challenge.

Among the three Senior 2 quads will be many of the development athletes who joined the club on a trial basis in September and who will be looking to put in a strong performance to retain their place in the Leander squad.

After an early morning outing at 7.00am all Leander crews will boat, starting at about 9.30am from the ARA at Hammersmith.

The race itself starts at 10.30 am over the Championship course from Mortlake to Putney.



Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 1st November 2007

Inverness Rowing Club - Events Diary

Inverness Rowing Club held their Annual General Meeting in the Loch Ness House Hotel at which the following members were elected to serve as office bearers for the next 12 months:-

John Stevenson (Hon President), Paddy Walsh (President), Roy Sinclair (Vice President), Susanne Standish – Hunter (Captain), Maeve Lewis (Secretary), Hazel Geddes (Treasurer), Neil Wallace (Assistant Secretary) Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace, Hazel Smith, Dick Ruane, Tom Baker and Mary Clouston (Members of Management Committee). At this event, President Paddy Walsh presented Mary Clouston with the Allan Garraway Sculling Trophy, and Hazel Geddes with the Waterson Trophy to recognise the most improved club athlete. He also presented the Southwell Stevenson Sculling Trophy to Colin Sinclair for the third year in succession.

This coming weekend on Saturday 3rd November sees Tom Baker competing in the veteran sculls at the Clyde ARC Head of the River Race in Glasgow and on Sunday 4th November, Tom will be joined at Strathclyde Park by Club Captain Susanne Standish – Hunter as the club’s representatives at the Annual General meeting of the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 30th October 2007

Party Invitation

See members' section for details.

Report submitted by - Hazel Smith - Inverness Rowing Club - 26th October 2007

Constitution

Our updated constitution is now available in the members' section.
(thanks to Maeve)

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 23rd October 2007

GB and Scottish Time Trials 21st October 2007

The SARA Time Trials were successfully held on the Caledonian Canal on Sunday 21st October in fine, calm conditions.

A range of categories was contested,with the fastest time of the day being recorded by International Men's Lightweight Sculler Jonny Logan (Clyde ARC)who recorded a time of 19:31 with his brother Chris (Glasgow Uni BC)in second place with a time of 19:43. Fastest Under 23 Lightweight was Daniel Shankland (castle Semple RC)in 19:56. Fastest Junior sculler was Sean Cassidy (Strathclyde Park RC) in 20:39 followed by Colin Sinclair (InvernessRC) in 21:02

Fastest woman on the 5 km course was Kelly Limond (Loch ard RC) in 21:35 with Clydesdale ARC's Ellie Dorman in second place in 21:43. Under 23 lightweight sculler Imogen Walsh (Clyde ARC and daughter of President Paddy)recorded a fine time of 22:20 with the fastest female junior being Rosie Young (Strathclyde Park RC) in a time of 22:42.

Further south at the GB Senior Time Trials at Boston, Lincolnshire, Scots athletes were performing to a high standard with Colin Williamson and Alan Sinclair amongst the athletes representing Leander Club. In a field of over 70 scullers including many international athletes, Colin achieved 18th place with a time of 19:41.98 with Alan close behind in 20th place in 19:45.15.

This Wednesday 24th October sees the Inverness Club's AGM at the Loch Ness House Hotel at 7.30pm whilst next weekend sees the SARA Faskally coaching weekend for intermediate athletes at Loch Faskally, Pitlochry when several Inverness members will participate in this annual event

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 22nd October 2007

Boatnaming update

So far, we have the following suggestions....
Scharnhorst, Loch Awe, Clachnaharry, Fasnakyle.

We need more!
Please visit the members section, and post your suggestions (now works with IE).

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 22nd October 2007

Boat Name Suggestions Needed

Another call to members - log in to your members' section, and get suggesting some boat names!

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 11st October 2007

Members' Section

Following an update to our webserver, I am pleased to add a few new features to our site.
Perhaps the most important is the password protected section for members.
I have put a few member specific things in there already, so do pay it a visit to find out what you are missing out on!

(and don't miss out on the boat naming competition...)

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 9th October 2007

ALLAN GARRAWAY SCULLING TROPHY

Last weekend on Saturday 29th September, the club's own closed single sculling event was raced for the Allan Garraway Sculling Trophy over the 500 metre sprint course on the straight to the north of the Tomnahurich Swing Bridge. A total of 10 athletes, four women and six men, ranging in age from 17 to 64 took part in this event in brilliant sunny conditions with equalising handicaps being applied in favour of the older members who took part.
Those athletes who fought their way through to semi-final positions were in the first semi - final; Colin Sinclair and Hazel Geddes, whilst John Sharkey and Mary Clouston met in the second semi-final. Sculling well in the calm conditions, Hazel Geddes and Mary Clouston progressed through to the final, which was won by approximately three lengths by the Mary Clouston.
A supplementary cadet single sculling event was also held that day in which Meghan Hunter beat Sarah Cameron in the first semi-final whilst Rachael Wells narrowly beat Adam Geddes in the second semi-final. Meghan Hunter then went on to win the final by approximately two lengths from Rachael Wells.
Next weekend sees the first race of the Head of the River season when Colin Sinclair will represent the Inverness Club at Saturday's Clydesdale Scullers Head of the River race on the River Clyde in Glasgow

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair - Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club - 1st October 2007

Allan Garroway Trophy

I've heard on the Grapevine that Mary Clouston won the Garroway Trophy today. Congratulations Mary!

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - Webmaster, Inverness Rowing Club - 29th September 2007

Inverness Rowing Club wins Gold at World Masters Regatta in Zagreb

Early September saw three members of Inverness Rowing Club heading to Zagreb to join up with fellow oars people from across Scotland and the rest of the UK for the annual FISA Masters regatta which was held on Lake Jarun in the Croatian capital.

Hazel Smith, Susanne Standish-White and Hazel Geddes, representing Inverness, joined forces with Ailie Ord from Strathclyde Park Rowing Club to participate in one of the biggest sporting events staged. Always a big event - and increasing year on year, this year was no exception. Almost 5000 competitors took part in over 400 races over 4 days. With races arranged into age categories, ages ranged from 27 to over 85 years!

The facilities at Lake Jarun were excellent and the situation of the purpose built lake afforded superb shelter from the elements - very necessary as the ensuing days were going to prove. In high quality boats recently returned from the World Championships in Munich the Inverness representatives took part in a variety of events over the 4 days of the regatta. Thursday saw Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord together with colleagues from the Thames area taking part in the opening event of the regatta, the Womens D eights - and winning the first medal of the event beating truly international opposition from the USA, Australia and Germany in a very respectable time of 3.45.02. In deteriorating weather - more likely to be associated with the West of Scotland in Autumn than central Europe in September, Hazel Smith and Ailie and Susanne and Hazel Geddes took part in Womens C doubles. Hazel and Ailie had the hardest of draws coming up against their nemesis opponents from Leicester and Cambridge. In spite of the now monsoon conditions they battled bravely to cross the line in second place just behind the winners and well ahead of the rest of the field. In their heat Susanne and Hazel Geddes - a more recent partnership tackled the elements and the international opposition with gusto and style, belying the very recent formation of the crew.

Friday dawned wet again - and still more races on the cards. The first race for the highland contingent and friends was the Womens C quadruple sculls. Once again drawing the most competitive race, the pluck and courage of the crew played out with a stirling effort and a fast time for the conditions of 4.04.36. In the afternoon, with the inclusion of one rower imported from the Thames area a "Scottish" Womens C Eights took to the water. Entirely untried or tested it was a leap of faith which paid off with a solid row - and a competitive time but no medals! The damp dismal day was rounded off by Hazel Geddes and Mairi Torrie (St Andrew Boat Club) in the Womens B double sculls. Tired legs and deteriorating weather conspired to give them an uncomfortable row - their third race that day - never has the finish line been so attractive!

And still it rained. Saturday dawned wet again - but at least with the promise of some dry weather later in the day. Unfortunately not in time for the Womens B quadruple scull of Hazel Smith, Ailie Ord, Joy Skipper from Mortlake and Susanna Wreth from Cantabrigian. Another untried combination in difficult conditions producing a satisfying performance - and a respectable time. The next event with a Highland interest was the Womens C coxed fours with the two Hazels, Susanne and Ailie Ord, coxed by Kevin Towey from Dublin. The four had limited opportunity to practice owing to the geography and had few expectations for the race. In spite of the gathering nerves, the crew had a blistering start and within a few strokes realised that they were up on the field. By 250m they had a clear lead. The challenge now - to keep it. Kevin managed through a balance of encouragement and steadying the enthusiasm of the crew - which could so easily have allowed even a small mistake to disrupt the rhythm set by the stroke - to keep the crew ahead and even gain some distance and by the time for the planned push at the half way stage there was 1/3 of a length between the Highland contingent and the opposition. With the last 250 metres of the race looming, all the will and concentration was to be marshalled to keep the lead with legs arms and lungs screaming to stop. Picking up the pace for the last minute saw clear water between the Inverness crew and a certain win - as long as no mistakes marred the way. The combination of delight, satisfaction and relief as the finish line sped below the boat could be measured in the cries of delight from the crew. A satisfying result and a very fast time indeed. But it was not over yet. The coxless fours was still to come. The four marshalled the tired limbs and lungs and headed for the start again - in improving weather. In spite of 110% effort from the crew, quite remarkable in view of the energy expended only and hour before, the best which they could manage was second place - to a well drilled international crew.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny for the mixed racing - which saw Hazel Smith, Ailie Ord, Susanne and Hilary Cook from the Thames joining forces with their hosts and part of the event organising team for the Mixed D Eights. Susanne was the only change to the line up which won in Princeton in 2006. With that in mind the pressure was well and truly on. With the minimum of preparation - which reminded the women just what a start in an Eight can be like - fast and furious - it was off onto the start line. Another flying start got the boat into a good position in the field and steady determination saw the boat gradually wear down the opposition. There were only two boats challenging for the lead with 250 metres to go - but again the fitness and determination drove the crew on to be a length up going over the finish. The perfect finish to a near perfect regatta - if you ignore the weather! There was still one remaining Highland interest - Hazel Geddes and Ron Wallace from Aberdeen Boat Club had combined to compete in the mixed C double sculls. The effort of three days of racing took the toll on the legs as they raced down the course, but Hazel G still managed to record her fastest time of the regatta in a small boat, another personal triumph. That is the joy of Masters rowing.

There was a huge range of ability at the event from the exceptional athletes, ex-Olympians, to those new to the sport and just embarking on their Masters journey, but there was something for everyone. Friends, fellowship and excellent competition - what more could you ask for.


Report
written by - Hazel Smith
submitted by - Roy Sinclair ( Vice President, Inverness Rowing Club. ) - 23rd September 2007

Maeve Delivers

Just heard that Maeve had a baby girl on Monday 10th September.

More details to follow!

Report submitted by - Hazel Geddes ( Treasurer, Inverness Rowing Club. ) - 14th September 2007

Webmaster Screwed Up

Many thanks to ABC who spotted that I made a mistake in the dates for our November Heads.
The correct dates are 17th and 18th of November.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace ( Webmaster - IRC ) - 2 September 2007

Aberdeen Sprint Regatta

Inverness Rowing Club members achieved success on the River Dee at last Sunday's Aberdeen Sprint Regatta.
In the Junior 12 Coxed quadruple Sculls, the Inverness crew of Sarah Cameron (bow), Jennifer Warwick, Rachael Wells, Meghan Hunter (stroke) and Shaun Hunter (cox) had a convincing win over a crew from Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association.
The difficult windy conditions affected steering in the other Junior 12 events in which brother and sister Shaun and Meghan Hunter were narrowly beaten in their double sculls event. Meanwhile, Meghan and Rachael Wells had a good win in their Womens Junior 12 double sculls semi-final but were just pipped in the final by a crew from Castle Semple Rowing Club which had earlier beaten the Inverness crew of Sarah Cameron and Jennifer Warwick in the other semi-final.
John Sharkey was the club's other representative in the Mens Veteran single sculls in which he produced one of the closest finishes of the day but just missed first place by a mere 1.1 seconds against Richard Matheson of Aberdeen Boat Club.

Next week sees the departure of three Inverness members who are to take part in the World Masters Regatta in Zagreb, Croatia. Susanne Standish-Hunter, Hazel Smith and Hazel Geddes are due to compete in a variety of sculling, coxless pairs, fours and eights events against crews from throughout the rowing world at what is generally regarded as the largest three day regatta on the planet.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair ( Vice-President, Inverness Rowing Club ) - 27th August 2007

Aberdeen Sprint Regatta

Inverness oarsmen and women have entered a wide variety of Junior and Veteran events at another of the significant regattas of the 2007 season.
Crews from Inverness Rowing Club travel to Aberdeen this weekend to take part in the Aberdeen Sprint Regatta on the River Dee.

Report submitted by - Roy Sinclair ( Vice-President, Inverness Rowing Club ) - 22nd August 2007

A deluge of photographs from Saturday's event

Firstly, Roy has submitted photos.
These can be found in our gallery page.

Secondly, a quick link from Snapper Ron of Deeside Scullers.
He has (as on many previous occasions) used his camera to great effect, and his pictures are posted on the Committee of the Dee website

Thirdly, I received this email from a commercial photographer.
I have obtained permission to publish this link, and the offer may be of interest to some. Be aware that this link may expire soon.

Report compiled by Neil Wallace (Webmaster - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 20th August 2007

HIGHLAND 2007 HAWCO SPRINT

An excellent entry was received for the HIGHLAND 2007 HAWCO SPRINT when 70 races were contested by a fine representation of clubs from throughout Scotland, members of which all achieved success in the events offered. Senior, veteran and particularly junior members bravely excelled in the blustery, rainy conditions on Saturday 18th August on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.
Also held in conjunction with this event was the Highland 2007 Concept 2 Ergonometer Championship in which aspiring junior athletes from local schools also took part in an exciting land based relay event in which the team from Loch Lomond Rowing Club narrowly won this event from teams representing Dingwall Academy and Inverness Rowing Club in equal send place with a composite team from other rowing clubs named the 'Superglues' following closely behind in third place.

Inverness Rowing Club crews featured in many of the events and were victorious in eight events.

• Winning crews are listed as follows :-
• Men's events
• Novice Single Sculls - Inverness RC - Colin.Sinclair
• Open Single Sculls - Aberdeen BC - Andrew Crosland
• R1 Single Sculls - Aberdeen BC - Richard.Crosland
• R2 Single Sculls ' Robert Gordon's University - Scott Purdie
• Veteran ABC Single Sculls ' Aberdeen BC - Andrew Crosland
• Veteran DEF Single Sculls ' Deeside Scullers - Ron Wallace
• Open Coxless pairs - Robert Gordon's University - Scott Purdie/Colin Wallace
• Novice Double Sculls ' Inverness RC ' Ken Andrews/ Dave Rothwell
• R2 Double Sculls - Robert Gordon's University - Scott Purdie/Colin Wallace
• Veteran Double Sculls - Inverness RC ' Ken Andrews/ Dave Rothwelll
• Novice Coxed Fours ' Loch Lomond RC A Docwra/A Gethin/A Claxton/S Whyte
• Women's events
• R2 Single Sculls ' Loch Lomond RC ' S. Arnold
• Veteran Single Sculls ' Loch Lomond RC - A Rankin
• Novice Double Sculls - Robert Gordon's University - J.Herbert/A.Geddes
• Veteran Double Sculls ' Inverness RC/Strathclyde ParkRC - Hazel Smith/Ailie Ord
• Mixed events
• R2 Double Sculls, Aberdeen BC - Colin Williamson/Elizabeth Crighton
• Veteran Double Sculls ' Inverness RC/Deeside Scullers ' Hazel Smith/Ron Wallace
• Eights ' Inverness RC/Strathclyde Park RC - Susanne Hunter/Hazel Smith/Hazel Geddes/Ailie Ord/Neil Wallace/Ken Sinclair/Joe Wright/Duncan Alexander
• Open/Junior events
• Open Junior 12 Single Sculls ' Strathclyde Park RC ' Peter Byrne
• Open Junior 12 Double Sculls ' Strathclyde Park RC - Peter Byrne/Graham Ord
• Open Junior 12 Coxed Quadruple Sculls ' Strathclyde Park RC/Inverness RC - Graham Ord/Peter Byrne/Adam Geddes/Shaun Hunter
• Girls Junior 14 Single Sculls ' Nithsdale RC - Finlay
• Girls Junior 12 Double Sculls ' Inverness RC - Meghan Hunter/Rachael Wells
• Girls Junior 14 Double Sculls ' Castle Semple RC/Nithsdale RC - Dalrymple
• Generation event
• Double Sculls ' Loch Lomond RC - P.Arnold/R.Arnold

Other Inverness crews were also involved in a number of extremely close finishes throughout a day of fine competitive racing in the difficult weather conditions.

Prizes were presented by George Hawco, Director of co-event sponsor Hawco of Inverness.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 19th August 2007

Highland 2007 Hawco Sprint - Saturday 18th August 2007

The Final Draw for this event can be found at http://www.invernessrowingclub.org.uk/forms/sprint07/final_draw.pdf

HIGHLAND 2007 HAWCO SPRINT - SATURDAY 18th AUGUST 2007

Inverness Rowing Club is holding the Highland 2007 Hawco Sprint Regatta on Saturday the 18th August. This year's event is part of the Highland 2007 programme and is again being sponsored by Hawco Inverness.
The event is being held on the Caledonian Canal over a 500 metre course close to the Boathouse. The event is very popular and this year has attracted crews from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Scottish Universities as well as from the home club.

Also being held in recognition of the support provided by the Highland 2007 programme will be an exciting land based relay event on Concept 2 ergometers in which pupils from Inverness Royal Academy, Dingwall Academy, Gairloch High School and a team of juniors from various other visiting rowing clubs will battle it out for the Highland 2007 championship ' certainly an event worth watching which is expected to take place between 12 noon and 1pm on Saturday. A full race programme, which includes junior, senior and veteran events, is expected to start at 10.30am and be completed shortly after 4.00pm.
Spectators are encouraged to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing on a length of water which is acknowledged by such as Peter Haining, Scotland's World Champion sculler, as the best in Scotland for rowing. The Boathouse is located approximately two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair (Vice President-Inverness Rowing Club) ' Tuesday 14th August 2007

UK National Championships

Last weekend, the UK National Rowing Championships took place at the Holme Pierrepoint rowing lake at Nottingham. Belmaduthy scullers Colin Sinclair and his elder brother Alan (who represented Aberdeen University Boat Club) took part in their respective Junior and Under 23 Single Sculls events against a large entry of crews from throughout the UK.
In the very windy conditions on Friday, Colin performed well but missed out on a semi-final place in the Junior Singles event. Alan had kinder conditions on the Saturday and qualified comfortably in second position for Sunday's semi-final. In the tricky head wind conditions, he narrowly missed out on one of the three qualification positions for the final of the Under 23 Single Sculls event.
Imogen Walsh (Clyde RC), daughter of Inverness Club President Paddy Walsh, sculled exceptionally well in both Lightweight Single and Double sculling events, reaching the final of the double sculling event but just missing out on the bronze medal position.

This coming week sees several Inverness members assisting in the volunteering team for the highly prestigious World Under 23 Rowing Championships being held at Strathclyde Park near Hamilton where racing takes place from Thursday 26th July and continues till finals day on Sunday. National teams from throughout the rowing world will be taking part with some fine racing in prospect over the four day regatta. Also on this weekend is the annual Home International Regatta, this year being held in Cork in southern Ireland where a team of Scottish athletes will on Saturday be competing against athletes from the other three Home Countries.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 23rd July 2007

Inverness Highland 2007 Hawco Sprint - Sat 18th August

Details now available HERE.

Report submitted by - Maeve Lewis (Regatta secretary) - 19th July 2007

Inverness RC Members at Henley Veterans Regatta and UK National Championships

Last weekend, Inverness oarswoman Hazel Smith was a member of Double Sculling and Quadruple Sculling crews along with Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC) at the Henley Masters Regatta. After some exciting wins in the preliminary rounds, they reached the finals of both the Veteran C Double Sculls and Veteran C Quadruple Sculls only to narrowly lose out on winning Gold medals by margins of 2 feet and 4 feet respectively after some extremely close racing.
This coming weekend, the UK National Rowing Championships take place at the Holme Pierrepoint rowing lake at Nottingham. Belmaduthy scullers Colin Sinclair and his elder brother Alan (who will be representing Aberdeen University Boat Club) will take part in their respective Junior and Under 23 Single Sculls events against a large entry of crews from throughout the UK.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 18th July 2007

Henley Royal Regatta

Inverness Rowing Club oarsman Alan Sinclair was a member of the Aberdeen Boat Club along with his fellow scullers Peter Shannon (bow), Drew Hendry (No 2) and New Zealander Andrew Crosland (stroke) which took part in the Mens Quadruple Sculls event at Henley Royal Regatta last week.
Coached by the Inverness club's coach Ian Hunter and encouraged by the skirl of the pipes from the toe path, the Aberdeen club's first round race on the Thursday was against a crew from Rob Roy Boat Club from Cambridge in which the Aberdeen crew sculled well to record a fine win by a comfortable margin of almost two lengths.
In their quarter final, they held their opponents from Tideway Scullers Club and were neck and neck for the first part of the race. In the exceptionally blustery conditions with a strong headwind blowing, their heavier opponents gradually drew ahead and established a lead which the lighter Aberdeen crew fought hard to overcome but were unable to close the gap over the remainder of the 2112 metre course, their opponents progressing through to Sunday's final
This coming weekend sees another Inverness oarsperson competing at Henley when Hazel Smith is a member of Double Sculling and Quadruple Sculling crews at the Henley Masters Regatta with high hopes of achieving medal success.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 10th July 2007

Golden Harvest for Inverness Rowing Club

Inverness Rowing Club members again achieved significant success at the two day Scottish Championship Regatta at Strathclyde Park in Hamilton last weekend in variable weather conditions in winning gold medals in a total of nine events ' Womens Veteran Coxed Fours, Womens Veteran Double Sculls, Womens Veteran Coxless Pairs, Womens Junior 12 Coxed Quadruple Sculls and Double Sculls, Mens Veteran C and Veteran E Single Sculls, Open Junior 12 Coxed Quadruple Sculls and Mens Open Quadruple Sculls.
On Saturday, the Womens Veteran Coxed Four of Hazel Geddes (bow) and Hazel Smith combined with Aile Ord and Clare Petrie (stroke) of Strathclyde Park RC and Catie Gorton-Philips (cox) of Clydesdale ARC recording a most satisfying 5 length win over a Castle Semple/ Victoria Bridge BC crew. Also on Saturday, Hazel Smith and Hazel Geddes were successful in the Womens Veteran Coxless Pairs as were Adam Geddes and Shaun Hunter who won the Open Junior Coxed Quadruple Sculls in company with their Strathclyde Park RC crewmates Graham Ord and Peter Byrne. Alan Sinclair was a member of the Aberdeen BC crew which won the Mens Quadruple Sculls by a satisfying margin of 5 lengths over crews Castle Semple RC/Clydesdale ARC/Stirling RC and Clyde ARC
Sunday's wins were recorded by the Womens Veteran Double Scull of Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC) who held off the strong challenge of Hazel Geddes and Susanne Standish-Hunter (stroke) to win by one and one half lengths. Alastair Duff had a fine win in Mens Veteran C Single Sculls as did Tom Baker in Mens Veteran E Single Sculls. Great excitement was generated by the wins of Inverness Womens Cadet crews in the Junior !2 events when Rachael Wells and Meghan Hunter convincingly won their Double Sculls event by 5 lengths against crews from Castle Semple RC, Aberdeen Schools and Nithsdale RC and followed that win by winning the Coxed Quadruple Sculls against Aberdeen Schools in company with Inverness member Sarah Cameron and Emma MacDonald and Emma Brander (cox) from Castle Semple RC
Inverness student members also achieved medal success at the Championships with Anne-Marie Bexley from Nairn winning her gold medal in the stroke seat of the Heriot Watt University RC Womens Novice Coxed Quadruple Scull and President Paddy Walsh's daughter Imogen (Clyde ARC) winning her silver medal in the closest finish of the day in the Womens Novice Single Sculls
Club members performed with distinction in other events. Meghan Hunter narrowly missed first place in her Womens Junior 12 Single Sculls final. John Sharkey was fourth in Mens Veteran C/D Single Sculls (and first Veteran D sculler over the finish line). Mary Clouston sculled well to claim a good second place finish in Womens Veteran C Single Sculls. Colin Sinclair recorded a satisfying performance to achieve third place in Junior 18 Single Sculls behind some stern opposition as well as stroking composite crews with George Watsons College BC members in a number of different events. Duncan Alexander and Ken Andrews qualified well from second place in their heat of the Mens Novice Double Sculls but just missed out on a medal position in the final of this event.

Next weekend on Saturday 23rd June sees the Club taking part in the Thomas Telford Water Festival on the Caledonian Canal when a number of rowing events in the Muirton Basin in Inverness are to be included in the busy programme of activities arranged from approximately 12 noon till 5pm.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 18th June 2007

Inverness Rowing Club at Scottish Rowing Championships

Next Saturday and Sunday 16th and 17th June sees Inverness Rowing Club members travelling to take part in the Scottish Rowing Championships which incorporate the Scottish Schools Rowing Championships on the seven (webmasters question - eight?) lane international 2000 metre rowing course near Hamilton.
Inverness crews are entered in Cadet, Junior, Senior and Veteran events on both days in this most significant event in the Scottish regatta season.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 11th June 2007

Aberdeen North East Regatta and British Universities Championships

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success at the Aberdeen North East Regatta last weekend in blustery conditions on the River Dee with Inverness members featuring in two winning crews.
Hazel Geddes and Hazel Smith raced well in the Veteran Double Sculls in beating their opponents from Aberdeen Boat Club by two lengths in the final of this event. In the Veteran Coxless Pairs, they also won their semi-final by two lengths against another crew from Aberdeen Boat Club but were unfortunately disqualified for faulty steering.
With Inverness member Colin Sinclair rowing in the No 4 seat, the Aberdeen University Boat Club's R2 Eight convincingly won the final of this event by just under two lengths against an experienced Aberdeen Boat Club crew.

Also at the weekend at the British Universities Rowing Championships in Nottingham, Colin's elder brother Alan and his crew-mate Peter Shannon competing for Aberdeen University in the Double Sculls event qualified for the semi - final with a fine performance recording the fastest time in their preliminary round. Their quest for Gold was thwarted in their semi-final when horrendous cross wind conditions struck the field which saw them fighting all the way to the line but missing out on a place in the final by the narrowest margin of one foot.

The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the Castle Semple Regatta which takes place at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire on Saturday 19th May when some of the Inverness club's youngest members will be keen to emulate their winning performances of last season's visit to this regatta..

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 8th May 2007

Strathclyde Park Regatta ' 21st/22nd April 2007

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success and many good performances at the two day Strathclyde Park Regatta in Hamilton last weekend in variable weather conditions in winning a total of five events, - Womens Veteran Coxed Fours, Womens Veteran Double Sculls, Womens Under 12 Quadruple Coxed Sculls and two Scottish Universities Championship events.
In the difficult windy conditions on Saturday, a number of fine performances were achieved by Inverness crews in various events. Colin Sinclair qualified in first place in his semi-final in Novice single sculls sculls and went on to achieve a good second place in the final of this event. He also produced a strong finishing burst in the final of the Mens Junior 18 single sculls finishing just 0.5 seconds behind the second placed finisher.
In Scottish Universities Championship events, Inverness member Alan Sinclair, representing Aberdeen University, achieved success for the third year running in winning the Mens single sculls and with his double sculls team-mate Peter Shannon clinched the Mens double sculls title. Imogen Walsh, daughter of Club President Paddy Walsh, also achieved success as a member of the Clyde RC crews which won both Womens Novice and R2 double sculls events on the Saturday.

Other Inverness wins were achieved in the fairer conditions on the Sunday when the Womens veteran coxed four of Hazel Geddes, Hazel Smith, Carolyn Ward, Susanne Standish-Hunter (stroke), and Shaun Hunter (cox) had a fine five lengths win over an Aberdeen BC crew. Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC) combined strongly to win the Womens veteran C double sculls by one length from an experienced Durham ARC combination in the race in which Mary Clouston and Sally Moore finished in third place. Hazel Geddes and Carolyn Ward were narrowly beaten by half a length in their Womens veteran A double sculls by a crew from Clydesdale ARC.

In single sculls, Tom Baker was just piped for first place by less than one second in the Mens veteran E event, Alastair Duff achieved a good third place finish in the Mens veteran B/C event and Mary Clouston achieved a second place in the Womens veteran D/E event. Duff and Baker later combined to achieve fourth place in the final of the Mens veteran D/F double sculls event. In Mens R2 single sculls, Colin Sinclair qualified for the final with a second place finish in his semi-final and achieved a commendable third place finish in the final against some stiff competition.

The Inverness younger junior squad members Sarah Cameron, Jennifer Warwick, Rachael Wells, Meghan Hunter, and Adam Geddes (cox) excelled in the final of the junior 12 coxed quadruple sculls winning by several lengths over a crew from Nithsdale ARC. Meghan, Rachael and Sarah also took part in junior 12 single and double sculling events with commendable performances in both events.

The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the the North Eastern Regatta which takes place on the River Dee in Aberdeen on 5th and 6th May.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 23rd April 2007

Aberdeen Eights Head of the River and Aberdeen Universities Boat Race

Saturday 3rd March saw two Inverness eights successfully taking part in the Aberdeen Eights Head of the River on the River Dee. The Inverness Mixed Eight of Hazel Geddes (bow), Ken Andrews, Alastair Duff, Duncan Alexander, Hazel Smith, Tom Baker, Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC), Susanne Standish-Hunter (stroke) and Athol Wallace (ASRA) convincingly won their event category in Division 1 by a margin of 23 seconds against a crew from Aberdeen Boat Club. In Division 2, Andrews, Duff, Alexander (stroke), Baker and Standish-Hunter (coxing) were joined by Roy Sinclair, Greig Fulton, Dave Rothwell and John Sharkey to contest an extremely close Mens Veteran Eights category recording a finishing time of 12 minutes 1 second, 9 seconds faster than their Aberdeen Boat Club opponents but losing out to the higher age handicap allowance which classified the Aberdeen crew as winners. Alan Sinclair, was a member the Aberdeen University Boat Club's R2 Eight which won this event category in the excellent time of 10 minutes 7 seconds, whilst his younger brother Colin teamed up with Aberdeen's Andrew Crossland to record a quick time of 12 minutes 12 seconds in their double scull. Two Inverness oarspersons took part in the Aberdeen Asset Management Aberdeen Universities Boat Races on Sunday 4th March. Hazel Smith was a member of the Robert Gordon University Boat Club's Alumini Eight which had a fine 2 lengths win over their Aberdeen University opponents whilst in the main race, Alan Sinclair was a member of the Aberdeen University Boat Club crew which posted an outstanding new record time of 8 minutes 1 second to convincingly reclaim the trophy which was won in 2006 by Robert Gordon University.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 4th March 2007

TENON LTD INVERNESS EIGHTS AND SMALL BOATS HEAD AND SCOTTISH SQUAD TIME TRIAL ASSESSMENT

An excellent entry of 61 crews was received for the Tenon Ltd Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head which took place in generally dry, sunny and calm conditions on Saturday 19th February on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. Rowed in two divisions over the 4.5km course, the first race started at 12noon with the second at 2.30pm.

Inverness crews featured in the winners lists. In Division 2, the Inverness womens crew of Hazel Geddes (bow), Cathy Mordaunt , Mary Clouston, Carolyn Ward, Hazel Smith, Mandy Towrie, Susanne Standish-Hunter (stroke) and Meghan Hunter (cox) produced a fine performance in winning the Womens Veteran Eights category in a fine time of 18 minutes 27.84 seconds, with Alastair Duff in Division 2 also winning the Mens Veteran C Single Sculls in an adjusted time of time of 19 minutes 33.40 seconds. Inverness member Alan Sinclair, rowing for Aberdeen University Boat Club, also featured in the winners list with his Eights crew winning the Mens R1 Eights in an excellent time of 15 minutes 23.65 seconds after a tense ding-dong tussle with students from Glasgow University.

Other Inverness crews which performed with distinction were the Mens Veteran Eight which took second place in the Veteran C Eights with an adjusted time of 16 minutes 34.99 seconds and Tom Baker's second place adjusted time of 19 minutes 0.99 seconds in Veteran E/F single sculls. Fastest mens crew of the day was the Mens Open Eight from Glasgow University Boat Club with a time of 15 minutes 21.25 seconds whilst the Womens R1 Eight from Edinburgh University Boat Club was fastest womens crew of the day with a time of 17 minutes 39.98 seconds.

As a prelude to the Tenon Eights event, the Scottish Senior and Junior Time Trial Assessment was held earlier in the day with athletes from as far away as Hereford taking part. Fastest crew in the Time Trial was the Mens Coxless Pair of Alan Sinclair from Belmaduthy and New Zealander Andrew Crossland with an excellent time of 19 minutes 3.65 seconds over the longer 5000 metre course. Fastest womens crew was Elizabeth Crighton from Aberdeen University Boat Club with a fine time of 21 minutes 49.69 seconds in her single scull.

Full Results

• Sara Trial Results
• Division One
• Division Two

Prizes were presented to winning crews by President Paddy Walsh on behalf of event sponsor Tenon Ltd.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 18th February 2007

Tenon Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head/ Scottish Squad Time Trial

Sara Trial / 8s & Small Boats Head - Results up on the Events Page

With Regards to Division Two Results, my sincerest apologies to crews 30 and 31 (AUBC and GUBC respectively) for the mix up in the provisional results.
A copy/paste error led to both crews being given the exact same finish time.
Having audited the files I can confirm that, contrary to the announcements at the presentation, and the printouts provided on the day, AUBC pipped GUBC in division 2.
Apologies again to GUBC in particular.

Report submitted by - Neil Wallace - 17th February 2006

Tenon Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head/ Scottish Squad Time Trial

Next Saturday 17th February poses to be a very busy weekend on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness on the Saturday with the Tenon Eights and Small Boats Head in two divisions, one starting at 12 noon and the second at 2.30pm. Crews from all over Scotland will compete in this event together with mens and womens crews from the home club.
Prior to that at 10am, the cream of Scottish Rowing take to the water in the National Squad Time Trial with Junior and Senior athletes challenging for places in the Scottish team for the forthcoming international regattas during the summer racing season

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 12th February 2007

Scottish Amateur Rowing Association Open Indoor Rowing Championships Gold and Silver Medals for Inverness

On Sunday 11th February, over 300 competitors took part in the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association Open Indoor Rowing Championships which were held at the Timecapsule Leisure Centre in Coatbridge.
Competition was keen in the wide variety of age categories and some excellent performances were recorded, particularly in the younger age groups.
Inverness Rowing Club were represented by the two Sinclair brothers from Belmaduthy with Colin taking part in the Junior 18 section and Alan, a student at Aberdeen University and a member also of Aberdeen University Boat Club, competing in the Under 23 Heavyweight section. Colin produced a personal best time of 7 minutes 2.2 seconds securing his Silver medal with his strong finishing burst, whilst Alan also finished strongly in his event but narrowly missed a medal position with a satisfactory time of 6 minutes 34.4 seconds.
Also taking part from Inverness in the Mens over 40 section was Rick Wells who put up a sound performance in recording a time of 7 minutes 8.5 seconds against some highly competent opposition. His daughter Rachel outshone her Dad in the Womens Junior 12 event in which she convincingly won her Gold medal with a distance of 515 metres in the 2 minute race. Sarah Cameron also took part in this race finishing with a fine fourth place with a distance of 432 metres. Rachel also later achieved a creditable 2nd place finish against much older opposition in the Womens Open Lightweight event

Next Saturday poses to be a very busy weekend on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness on the Saturday with the Tenon Eights and Small Boats Head in two divisions, one starting at 12 noon and the second at 2.30pm. Crews from all over Scotland will compete in this event together with mens and womens crews from the home club. Prior to that at 10am, the cream of Scottish Rowing take to the water in the National Squad Time Trial with Junior and Senior athletes challenging for places in the Scottish team for the forthcoming international regattas during the summer racing season

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 12th February 2007

Dublin Head of the River 2007

The two Inverness Rowing Club crews which travelled to Dublin last weekend for the annual Dublin Head of the River Race on the River Liffey on Saturday provided a distinctly International flavour to the proceedings, both on and off the water.
Arriving in the Irish capital, both crews took to the upper reaches of the Liffey on the Friday to familarise themselves with the conditions and make necessary adjustments to the equipment which had been kindly loaned to them by the Old Collegians Boat Club and the An Garda Siochana College Rowing Club. A brief foray into the Guinness Storehouse to discover the age-old brewing traditions of this famous amber liquid was followed by a short tasting session in the rooftop Gravity Bar from which 300 degree views of the city and the surrounding countryside were enjoyed.
An early night was had by all in preparation for the energetic activities of the morrow.

Saturday dawned bright and cold with a crisp hoare frost covering the grassy banks of the upper reaches of the River Liffey.
Both crews arrived at the boathouses in good time to make final adjustments and preparations for the day's event which started off with a coxes briefing meeting shortly after 9am. The men's crew cox Thomas Prag carefully considered the variety of instructions provided which were to be of significant assistance in steering his crew over the course which would involve passing through a total of thirteen bridges of differing configurations, and received suitable encouragement from his crew in negotiating the tricky portage over the cascading weir on the route to the starting line right in the middle of the city. The women's crew had the benefit of an experienced cox from the host club and joined their male colleagues in the marshalling area beside the world famous O'Connell Street Bridge
By start time at 11.30am, crowds had gathered to support the crews in the bright midday sunshine on the walkways and bridge parapets of the riverside. The Inverness men's crew stroked by Neil Wallace with Colin Sinclair, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, John Sharkey, Dave Rothwell, Ken Andrews and Roy Sinclair in support was superbly coxed over the 3.7 km course by Thomas Prag (wearing suitably Scottish headgear) and reached the finishing line in 14 minutes 52 seconds narrowly missing second place to the crew from host club Old Collegians Boat Club.
The women's crew stroked by Susanne Standish-Hunter, ably supported by Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC), Hilary Cook (Sons of Thames RC), Hazel Smith, Beth West (Sons of Thames RC), Mary Clouston, Cathy Mordaunt, Hazel Geddes and Kevin Towey (cox from Old Collegians Boat Club) also had a fine race to cover the course in 15 minutes 22 seconds and in doing so became the fastest crew in their event category.
Both crews and their supporters took time to relax and refresh themselves after their exciting experience on the water and later enjoyed the buzz of Dublin night life before travelling back to Inverness at the end of a most enjoyable weekend - across the water.
Next weekend sees the Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships taking place at the 'Timecapsule' in Coatbridge on Sunday11th February when the club will be represented by the Sinclair brothers in respective Junior 18 and Under 23 event categories.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 6th February 2007

Dublin Head of the River 2007

Two Inverness Rowing Club crews travel to Dublin this weekend for the annual Dublin Head of the River Race which is to be held on the River Liffey on Saturday 3rd February.
Both mens and womens eights have been training for this event since last November and are looking forward to the race with keen anticipation of a successful trip over the Irish Sea. Training has been conducted under the strict, experienced eye of coach Ian Hunter and has been stepped up over the past month to hone his athletes for the challenges of the many Irish crews, the tidal surges of the Liffey and the many historic bridges which characterise this famous stretch of water which passes through the middle of Dublin.
Crews and their supporters travel over to Dublin to have a preliminary outing on the Friday to familiarise themselves with the course prior to the race which starts at 11.30am on the Saturday.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 28th January 2007

Tenon Ltd 8s and small boats head 2007

Details now up on our Events Page.

Hazel Smith (Regatta Secretary - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 26th January 2007

INVERNESS FOURS AND SMALL BOATS HEADS - November 2006

Snapper Ron has dried out his camera and managed to resurrect some photographs from the gloom and lashing rain which fell during much of the racing at the Inverness Head of the River weekend. Other shots show fine sunshine and gleaming rainbows as the Scottish weather did its best to baffle us. The dedication of participants (especially coxes) has been captured in some of the images as the rain stotted off the canal into their faces. Everyone seemed to have a great time despite the weather and many smiley faces can also be seen. The meal in the golf club on Saturday evening must represent the bargain of the year - £10 for a three-course spread. Congratulations to everyone at Inverness RC for organising an extremely enjoyable weekend. Commiserations to Sandy Walker's clutch that got so excited that it expired half way round a roundabout leaving the GRC trailer as a (rather ineffective) speed-reducing chicane. Perhaps motorists in Inverness drive just like IRC members row ........ fast and taking no prisoners!

Pictures are available at Commitee of the Dee Website

Thanks to Ron Wallace - received 14th November 2006

INVERNESS FOURS AND SMALL BOATS HEADS

An record entry of 197 crews was received for the Inverness Fours and Small Boats Heads which took place in variable weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday, 11th and 12th November on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. The Fours Head took place on the Saturday in difficult blustery conditions whilst Sunday's weather was kinder to the athletes in the Small Boats Head.
The Mens Open Fours was won in what is believed to be an excellent new record time of 15 minutes 15.6 seconds by the Aberdeen Boat Club crew of Misha Muller, Ross Cruikshank, Alan Sinclair (also Inverness RC), Andrew Crossland (stroke) and Meadbh Boyle (cox) whilst the Womens Open Fours went to Glasgow University Boat Club (Murphy - stroke) in a time of 17 minutes 59.5 seconds.
The Mens Veteran Fours was a closely contested event with the Inverness crew of Neil Wallace, Alastair Duff, Ken Sinclair, Tom Baker (stroke) and Hazel Geddes (cox) being narrowly edged out of first place by a crew from St Andrew Boat Club. A second place was also achieved by Moira Baptie, Sally Moore, Mary Clouston, Jenny Ramsay(stroke) and Meghan Hunter (cox) in th Womens Novice Quad Sculls.
Inverness crews won five events in the Small Boats events on the Sunday. Fastest crew of the day was the Inverness Mens Open Double Scull of Alan Sinclair and Colin Sinclair(stroke) who recorded a fine time of 16 minutes 49.6 seconds over the 4500metre course. Alastair Duff and Tom Baker both sculled well in winning their respective Mens Veteran C and Veteran E Single Sculls. Hazel Geddes and Mandy Towrie (stroke) were fastest Womens Veteran C Double Scull, whilst Mary Clouston and Sally Moore (stroke) were fastest Womens Veteran D Double Scull

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 13th November 2006

Aberdeen Heads 4th and 5th November 2006

Last weekend at the Aberdeen Fours and Small Boats Head of the River Races on the River Dee, Inverness Rowing Club were represented by junior and senior athletes in the various events which took place over the two day regatta.
Fastest crew on Saturday’s Fours Head was the Aberdeen Boat Club’s Mens Open Coxed Four of Misha Muller, Ross Cruikshank, Alan Sinclair (also Inverness RC), Andrew Crossland and Meadbh Boyle (cox) which was just outside the course record with an excellent time of 10 minutes 12 seconds over the 3000m course. Alan’s younger brother Colin recorded a good time of 13 minutes 9 seconds in his single scull in a timed row over the course in the Saturday event. Also on Saturday, Maeve Lewis was a member of an Aberdeen, Inverness, Glagow composite crew which recorded a quick time of 11 minutes 15 seconds in their Quadruple Scull.
Inverness athletes turned out in greater numbers for Sunday’s Small Boats Head in which Tom Baker and Alastair Duff sculled well in the Mens Veteran Single Sculls in which Baker just missed out on 1st place by a mere one second.
In the difficult windy conditions later in the day, Maeve Lewis and Hazel Smith recorded a fine time of 13 minutes 53 seconds in the Womens Open Double Sculls whilst the Mens Novice Single Sculls was won by Colin Sinclair with a time of 14 minutes 29 seconds.
This coming weekend sees a large entry of crews from throughout Scotland arriving in the Highland Capital for the two day Inverness Fours and Small Boats Head events on the Caledonian Canal when racing on Saturday starts at 12 noon and 2.30pm with Sunday racing starting at 11.02 am and 1.30pm.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 6th November 2006

GB Trial, The AGM etc....

A Great Britain Assessment Time Trial was held recently on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness in which many top athletes took part. Fastest down the 5000metre course was Glasgow University Boat Club’s Chris Logan in a fine time of 19 minutes 6.12 seconds followed closely in second place by his brother Jonny in a time of 19 minutes 11.08 seconds. Fran Jacob of Clydesdale ARC recorded the quickest Womens time of 21 minutes 2.65 seconds followed closely by Stephanie McDowall of Aberdeen University Boat Club less than a second behind Jacob. Andrew Barton of Strathclyde Park RC posted the fastest Mens Junior time of 20 minutes 56.05 seconds with Colin Sinclair of Inverness RC finishing in a time of 21 minutes 2.54 seconds. Fastest Womens Junior in a time of 22 minutes 58.86 seconds was Kayleigh Warwick of Strathclyde Park RC.
Two days later, Inverness Rowing Club held their Annual General Meeting in the Loch Ness House Hotel at which the following members were elected to serve as office bearers for the next 12 months:-
John Stevenson (Hon President), Paddy Walsh (President), Roy Sinclair (Vice President), Susanne Standish – Hunter (Captain), Maeve Lewis (Secretary), Hazel Geddes (Treasurer), Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace, Hazel Smith, Dick Ruane and Tom Baker (Members of Management Committee). At this event, President Paddy Walsh presented the Southwell Stevenson Sculling Trophy to Colin Sinclair who was also the recipient of the Allan Garraway Sculling Trophy.
This coming weekend 4th and 5th November sees the two day Aberdeen Fours and Small Boats Heads events being held on the River Dee in which athletes from the Inverness club will compete in a number of sculling events as well as attending the Annual Scottish Amateur Association Awards Dinner being held on Saturday night in the Aberdeen Town House.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Vice President - Inverness Rowing Club ) - 30th October 2006

Garroway Trophy - 29th September 2006

The club’s own closed single sculling event was raced for the Allan Garraway Sculling Trophy over the 500 metre sprint course on the straight to the north of the Tomnahurich Swing Bridge. A total of 10 athletes, four women and six men, ranging in age from 16 to 63 took part in this event in brilliant sunny conditions with equalising handicaps being applied in favour of the older members who took part.
Those athletes who fought their way through to semi-final positions were in the first semi - final; Alastair Duff and Maeve Lewis, whilst Paddy Walsh and Colin Sinclair met in the second semi – final. Sculling well in the calm conditions, Colin Sinclair and Alastair Duff progressed through to the final, which was won by approximately two lengths by the young Sinclair.
Supplementary cadet sculling events were also held that day in which Sarah Cameron won the closest of single sculling races by 2 feet from Megan Hunter with both girls combining well in the double sculls event in which they just edged out Shaun Hunter and Adam Geddes by half a length.
Event sponsor Allan Garraway, who was present at the event, heartily congratulated all competitors for their skill and performance in producing fine competitive racing in the excellent conditions.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 1st October 2006

Medals from both sides of the Atlantic

Inverness Rowing Club members achieved success at two separate regattas last weekend.
Hazel Smith took part in the World Masters Regatta which was this year held at Princeton in the USA.
She was a member of crews which took part in four events, winning gold medals in Veteran C Quadruple Sculls and Veteran D Coxed fours. In Veteran C Double Sculls and Veteran D Eights, her crews just missed out on gold in producing the tightest of finishes to claim second place in both these events.

Nearer to home, Colin Sinclair was the club’s representative at the Aberdeen Sprint where he won the Mens Novice Single Sculls and also took part in Mens R2 and Mens Junior 18 Single Sculls in which he produced one of the closest finishes of the day but just missed his second win by the a mere 2 feet against Lockhart of Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association.
Colin’s elder brother Alan, representing Aberdeen Boat Club, also had a successful day in winning three events, Mens Open Single Sculls, Mens Open Coxless Pairs and Mens Invitation Coxless Pairs.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 11th September 2006

HAWCO SPRINT 2006

An excellent entry was received for the HAWCO SPRINT 2006 when 78 races were contested by a fine representation of clubs from throughout Scotland, members of which all achieved success in the events offered. Senior, veteran and particularly junior members bravely excelled in the blustery, rainy conditions on Saturday 19th August on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.

• Inverness crews featured in many of the events and were victorious in the following nine events
• Mens Veteran Double Sculls - Tom Baker, Graham Duffy (St Andrew BC) (stroke)
• Mens R2 Single Sculls - Colin Sinclair
• Mens Junior 18 Single Sculls - Colin Sinclair
• Mens Veteran ABC Single Sculls - Ken Sinclair
• Womens Veteran Coxed Fours - Susanne Standish - Hunter, Hazel Smith, Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC), Mandy Towrie (stroke), Meghan Hunter (cox)
• Womens Veteran Double Sculls -Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC), Mandy Towrie (stroke)
• Womens Junior 11 Aquajog - Sarah Cameron
• Womens Junior Coxed Quad Sculls - Meghan Hunter, Rachael Wells, Kirsty Porteus (Stirling RC), Louise Hiddleston (Castle Semple RC)
• Mixed Coxed Quad Sculls - Adam Geddes, Kirsty Porteus (Stirling RC), Meghan Hunter, Shaun Hunter

Other Inverness crews were also involved in a number of extremely close finishes throughout a day of fine competitive racing in the difficult weather conditions.

• Other Winners -Men
• R2 Coxed Fours - Aberdeen BC
• Novice Coxed Fours - Castle Semple RC
• R1 Double Sculls - Aberdeen BC
• R2 Double Sculls - Castle Semple RC
• R2 Coxless Pairs - St Andrew BC
• Open Single Sculls - Aberdeen BC (McNeill)
• Novice Single Sculls - Aberdeen BC (Williamson)
• Veteran DEF Single Sculls - Hewitt ( Strathclyde Park RC)
• Invitation Open Eights - Aberdeen BC

• Other Winners -Women
• R2 Coxed Fours - St Andrew BC
• Novice Coxed Fours - St Andrew BC
• R1 Double Sculls - Aberdeen BC
• R2 Coxless Pairs - St Andrew BC
• R2 Single Sculls - St Andrew BC (Macdonald)
• Novice Single Sculls - St Andrew BC (Logan)
• Veteran Single Sculls - St Andrew BC (Torrie)
• Junior 16 Double Sculls - Castle Semple RC
• Junior 14 Single Sculls - Castle Semple RC (Dalrymple)

• Other Winners -Mixed
• R2 Eights - St Andrew BC
• R2 Double Sculls - St Andrew BC
• Novice Double Sculls - St Andrew BC
• Veteran Double Sculls - Strathclyde Park RC
• Generation Double Sculls - Aberdeen BC

• Other Winners - Cadets
• Junior 14 Double Sculls -Castle Semple RC
• Junior 12 Double Sculls - Stirling RC
• Junior 14 Single Sculls - Castle Semple (Holmes)
• Junior 13 Single Sculls -Stratjhclyde Park RC (Ord)
• Junior 12 Single Sculls - Stirling RC/(Denovan)
• Junior 12 Aquajog - Castle Semple RC

Prizes were presented by George Hawco, Director of event sponsor Hawco of Inverness

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 20th August 2006

UK National Rowing Championships

Two Inverness Rowing Club members took part in the UK National Rowing Championships which were held over three days at the eight lane international course at Strathclyde Park near Hamilton.
Alan Sinclair was in the stroke seat of the Aberdeen Boat Club coxed four along with Colin Williamson, Lewis Carr, Ross Cruikshank and Rob Hamilton (cox) which took part in the Open Coxed Fours event.
In a tough opening race on Saturday morning, they just missed out on the direct route to Sunday’s final, but later in the day, produced a fine performance in their repechage to qualify for the final with a strong finishing burst to take second place behind a crew from Henley RC.
In the highly charged final of this event on Sunday, the Aberdeen crew challenged strongly throughout the 2000 metre course against a strong field which included several international oarsmen, narrowly missing out on a medal position. A fine performance which augers well for next week’s Home International regatta which also takes place at Strathclyde Park on Saturday 22nd July.
Also taking part in the Championships was Alan’s younger brother Colin who produced a personal best performance in the Open Junior 16 single sculls, just missing out on a qualifying place in the repechage to the final of this event by 0.86 seconds.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 17th July 2006

Henley Royal Regatta

Inverness Rowing Club oarsman Alan Sinclair was a member of the Aberdeen Boat Club coxed four along with Colin Williamson, Ross Cruikshank, Dave McNeill (stroke) and Meadbh Boyle (cox) which took part in the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta last week.
Wednesday’s first round race was against a crew from City of Oxford Rowing Club in which the Aberdeen crew had an extremely close encounter over the 2112 metre course. Trailing the faster starting Oxford crew for the first part of the course, the Aberdeen crew pressed on strongly to overtake their opponents by the mile post and then surge ahead to win by a comfortable margin of almost three lengths.
In their quarter final, they led their opponents from Lea Rowing Club by 1 œ lengths at the Barrier and increased their lead to 1 Ÿ lengths at the finish post.
Their semi-final opponents from the Army Rowing took an early lead off the start and although Aberdeen challenged strongly all the way down the course, the Army emerged winners by just over one length and later won the final of the Britannia Challenge Cup on the Sunday beating York City Rowing Club by approximately two lengths.
The Aberdeen crew produced fine performances in all three of their races and now will concentrate their efforts on the coxed four event at the UK National Championships to be held at Strathclyde Park near Hamilton in just over a weeks time.
This coming weekend sees another three Inverness oarspeople competing at Henley when Hazel Smith is a member of Double Sculling crews at the Henley Masters Regatta with high hopes of achieving medal success.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 4th July 2006

Inverness Rowing Club at Henley Royal Regatta and Henley Masters Regatta

Inverness Rowing Club members are competing on the waters of the River Thames at Henley over the next two week period.
In the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, Alan Sinclair is a member of the Aberdeen Boat Club’s coxed four along with his fellow crew mates Colin Williamson, Ross Cruikshank, Dave McNeill (stroke) and Meadbh Boyle (cox), which tackles a crew from City of Oxford Rowing Club in their first round race and are confident of progressing to the quarter finals on Friday. Semi-finals and final are on Saturday and Sunday respectively and the small band of Inverness supporters will be on hand to give enthusiastic support to the Aberdeen crew in their determined attempt to become only the second Scottish crew to achieve success at Henley Royal Regatta.
The following weekend sees another Inverness oarsperson competing at Henley when Hazel Smith is a member of Double Sculling crews at the Henley Masters Regatta.
Last year the Inverness squad achieved success in the Veteran Quadruple Sculls and this year’s squad are keen to emulate that success and bring another crop of medals back home to Inverness.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 26th June 2006

Scottish Championships 2006

Inverness Rowing Club again achieved success at the two day Scottish Championship Regatta at Strathclyde Park in Hamilton last weekend in fine, dry generally blustery conditions in winning four events – Mens Veteran Double Sculls, Womens Veteran Coxed Fours, Veteran Double Sculls and Womens Novice Coxed Quadruple Sculls.
On Saturday, the Womens Veteran Coxed Four of Doreen Waterson (bow),Carolyn Ward, Hazel Smith, Susanne Standish-Hunter (stroke) and Meghan Hunter (cox) recording a most satisfying win over two crews from Aberdeen Boat Club. Also on Saturday the Womens Novice Double Scull of Hazel Geddes and Carole Wells thoroughly earned their silver medals after being beaten in their final by a mere 3 feet by St Andrews University Boat Club.
Sunday’s wins were recorded by the Womens Veteran Double Scull of Susanne Standish-Hunter and Mandy Towrie (stroke) who held off the strong challenge of the Inverness/ Strathclyde Park crew of Ailie Ord and Hazel Smith to win by one and one half lengths. Mandy’s husband Tom Baker teamed up with Alastair Duff in the Mens Veteran Double Sculls to overhaul the award of a 26 second handicap allowance given to the slightly older St Andrew Boat Club crew to win by half a length in one of the most exciting finishes of the regatta.
The other gold medals were well won by the Womens Novice Coxed Quadruple Scull of Hazel Geddes (bow), Carole Wells, Bea Wallace, Doreen Waterson (stroke), Susanne Standish-Hunter (cox) which held off strong challenges from Heriot Watt University Boat Club to win by just over one length.
Other club members performed with distinction, earning a significant number of high place finishes, and in particular, special mention must be made of the determination of the Cadet Under 12 squad of Sarah Cameron, Rachael Wells, Meghan Hunter, Shaun Hunter and Adam Geddes which achieved several excellent second place finishes in the difficult windy conditions.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 11th June 2006

Castle Semple Regatta – 20th May

Inverness Rowing Club again achieved success and many good performances this time at the Castle Semple Regatta last weekend on Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire in changeable conditions with many heavy showers in winning five events, - .Womens Veteran and Novice Double Sculls, Womens Veteran Coxed Fours, Womens Quadruple Sculls and Mens Veteran Double Sculls
Taking part in Junior 12 events in their third competitive regatta were six members of the club’s cadet squad, Sarah Cameron, Jennifer Warwick, Adam Geddes, Rachael Wells, Meghan Hunter and Shaun Hunter who competed in Coxed Quadruple Sculling, Double Sculling, Single Sculling and Aquajog events under the watchful eye of experienced senior coach Susanne Standish-Hunter. All competed with distinction, particularly the girls coxed quadruple scull which achieved an excellent third place behind a good Castle Semple RC crew and an all boys crew from Stirling RC. Meghan and Rachael later produced an oustanding finishing burst in their double sculling race to take them past a Strathclyde RC boys crew to achieve a silver medal placing behind another Stirling RC boys crew.
Senior members of the club took part in a variety of events and achieved excellent wins in five events.
Fine winning performances were recorded by Hazel Smith and Doreen Waterson in Womens Veteran Double Sculls, Doreen Waterson, Carolyn Ward, Hazel Smith, Susanne Standish-Hunter (stroke) and Meghan Hunter (cox) in Womens Veteran Coxed Fours and Hazel Geddes, Carole Wells, Bea Wallace, Bridget Senior (stroke) and Doreen Waterson (cox) in Womens Novice Quadruple Sculls. The Senior/Wallace and Wells/Geddes combinations both won their respective heats of the Novice Double Sculls and in the closest of finals, the Senior/Wallace crew just held off a strong challenge from the Wells/Geddes crew to win by just over one length.
In Mens Veteran Double Sculls, Alastair Duff and Tom Baker (stroke) produced a strong burst in the middle of their final to see off challenges from both Strathclyde Park RC and Nithsdale RC to record a fine three length winning margin.
In other events, satisfactory performances were produced by Neil Wallace with his second place in Mens Novice Sculls and third place in Mens Veteran B/D Sculls, Alastair Duff with a second place in Mens Veteran B/D Sculls and a final placing in Mens Restricted 2 Sculls, Ken Andrews with third place in Mens Veteran E/F Sculls, Colin Sinclair with a third and fourth place respectively in Junior 16 and Junior 18 Sculls. In the womens events, Bridget Senior recorded second place in Novice Sculls, Carolyn Ward and Doreen Waterson were third in Restricted 2 Double Sculls and Sally Moore and Mary Clouston were also third in Veteran Double Sculls.
The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the Scottish Championships which takes place at Strathclyde Park near Hamiton on 10th and 11th June.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 22nd May 2006

Aberdeen North East Regatta - 13th and 14th May 2006

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success and many good performances at the two day Aberdeen North East Regatta last weekend on the River Dee in relatively calm but showery conditions but with only one win in Womens Veteran Double Sculls to show for their efforts.
On Saturday, Hazel Geddes and Carole Wells raced well in the Novice Double Sculls in beating their opponents from Aberdeen University Boat Club by two lengths but were unlucky in the final of this event to be beaten by a young crew representing Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association (ASRA)but were beaten by a faster crew from Aberdeen BC.
In the Womens Veteran Double Sculls event, the Geddes/Wells combination achieved their four length win in the final against another Inverness crew who were competing in their first regatta together (Sally Moore and Mary Clouston)
Success eluded all the Inverness single scullers. Alastair Duff recorded a fine three length win in his semi-final to be beaten by Wallace of ASRA in the final of the Restricted 2 event and in the final of his Veteran Single Sculls just lost out to by approximately one length to Thomson of Victoria Bridge Boat Club. Colin Sinclair had a good three length win in the semi-final of his Junior 16 Single Sculls but lost out to the fast finishing Lockhart of ASRA in a keenly contested final. Both Sinclair and Neil Wallace had close races in their Novice Single Sculls heats just losing out to the eventual finalists.
The Inverness Mens Restricted 2 Coxed Four of Duff, Sinclair, Duncan Alexander, Wallace (stroke) and Hazel Geddes (cox) raced well in the final of this event but were beaten by a highly competent Aberdeen University Boat Club crew which included Andrew Martin from Inverness.
On Sunday, Wallace and Alexander were narrowly beaten by ASRA in their Mens Novice Double Sculls final, whilst Wallace won through to the semi-final of the Restricted 2 Single Sculls to be narrowly beaten by the Wallace from ASARA in the final. Mary Clouston gallantly took on the younger Aitken of Aberdeen Boat Club in the final of the Veteran Single Sculls but did not have the pace to match the aspiring Scottish internationalist.
The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the Castle Semple Regatta which takes place at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire on Saturday 20th May when some of the Inverness club’s youngest members will be keen to emulate their winning performances of last season’s visit to this regatta..

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 15th May 2006

North East Regatta - 13th & 14th May 2006.

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club travel to Aberdeen this weekend to take part in the two day Aberdeen North East Regatta on the River Dee.
Inverness oarsmen and women have entered a wide variety of events including Junior, Novice, Restricted 2 and Veteran Single Sculls, Novice, Restricted 2 and Veteran Double Sculls and Restricted 2 Coxed Fours at another of the significant main season regattas of 2006.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Thursday 10th May 2006

Ghent Regatta

Last weekend, Inverness member Alan Sinclair achieved success with his Aberdeen Boat Club Open Coxed Four in winning bronze medals in a photo finish for second and third places at the Ghent International Regatta in Belgium.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Thursday 10th May 2006

Strathclyde Park Regatta – 22nd/23rd April 2006

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success and many good performances at the two day Strathclyde Park Regatta in Hamilton last weekend in variable weather conditions in winning four events, - Womens Veteran Coxed Fours, Womens Veteran Double Sculls, Mens Veteran Coxed Fours and Mens Veteran Single Sculls.
In the difficult windy conditions on Saturday, a number of fine performances were achieved by Inverness crews in both mens and womens events. Although not achieving first places, Ken Sinclair and Ken Andrews sculled well in their veteran sculling events as did Colin Sinclair in his junior 16 and junior 18 single sculling events. Hazel Geddes and Carole Wells qualified in third place in their semi-final in novice double sculls and went on to achieve a fine third place in the final of this event. The composite womens restricted 2 eights Inverness/Strathclyde Park RC crew had a fine row in the final of this event to be narrowly beaten into third place by two university crews. The Inverness/St Andrew BC composite crew of Carolyn Ward, Hazel Smith, Mandy Towrie and Alison Hulme (St Andrew BC) was just pipped on the line by a Strathclyde Park RC crew in the veteran quad sculls final.

Inverness wins were achieved in the fairer conditions on the Sunday when the womens veteran coxed four of Carolyn Ward, Hazel Smith, Susanne Standish-Hunter, Mandy Towrie and Laurence Edwards (cox) had a fine one length win over a Strathclyde Park RC crew. Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC) combined strongly to win the womens veteran double sculls by half a length from an experienced Durham ARC combination.
The Inverness mens veteran crews also performed well on the Sunday with the veteran coxed four of Alastair Duff, Neil Wallace, Ken Sinclair, Tom Baker and Adam Geddes (cox) winning this event by almost three lengths from crews representing Aberdeen BC and St Leonards.
In Single sculls, Tom Baker went on to win the veteran E event. Alastair Duff and Ken Sinclair came second and third respsectively in the veteran C event and Ken Andrews achieved third place in the Veteran F category.
Duff and Sinclair later combined to achieve a satisfactory third place in the final of the veteran double sculls event.
Inverness women scullers took part in a variety of sculling events on Sunday with the Hazel Geddes / Carole Wells and Carolyn Ward/ Bridget Senior combinations qualifying for the final of the restricted 2 double sculls in which the Geddes/Wells crew finished just ahead of the Ward/Senior crew but just outside the medal positions. Geddes, Senior and Mary Clouston also took part in novice and veteran single sculls events achieving fourth, third and second places respectively.
The Inverness younger junior squad members Meghan Hunter, Rachael Wells, Adam Geddes and Shaun Hunter excelled in an extremely close race in the final of the junior 12 coxed quad sculls just losing out by three feet to an all male crew from Stirling RC.
Meghan and Rachael also took part in junior 12 single and double sculling events with commendable performances in both events.
Inverness member Alan Sinclair (now rowing for Aberdeen University and Aberdeen Boat Club) won Scottish Universities Championship Single Sculls and was a member of the Aberdeen BC crew which achieved wins in mens restricted 1 and open coxed fours and open coxless fours.

The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the Clydesdale ARC regatta in Glasgow on 6th May followed by the North Eastern Regatta which takes place on the River Dee in Aberdeen on 13th and 14th May.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 25th April 2006

SCOTTISH NATIONAL TIME TRIAL ASSESSMENTS

The third National Assessment Long Distance Time Trial to be held in Scotland this winter was held on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness on Saturday 25th February. Senior athletes from Scotland and some based in England took part with the favourable windless conditions of the Womens Division 1 allowing the women to produce satisfactory times on the 5000 metre course.
Difficult headwind conditions had a significant effect on times recorded in the Mens Division 2 event with times being over 2 minutes slower than anticipated as a result of the strong gusty wind which also had an effect on crews’ steering.
Times posted by the fastest crews in the event categories in the respective divisions are listed as follows:-

• Division 1 - Women
• Open Coxless Pairs – Aberdeen Boat Club (Fiona Hunter/Stephanie McDowell) – 20.30
• Lightweight Coxless Pairs - Aberdeen Boat Club (Sheena Jack/Alex Gemmie) – 21.38
• Open Singe Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (Alison Aitken) – 22.08
• Lightweight Single Sculls – Upper Thames Rowing Club (Mary-Ann Chalmers) – 22.16

• Division 2 – Men
• Lightweight Coxless Pairs - Aberdeen Boat Club (Dave McNeill/Drew Taylor) – 20.31
• Open Coxless Pairs – Aberdeen Boat Club (Colin Williamson/Lewis Carr) – 20.46
• Lightweight Single Sculls – Glasgow University Boat Club (Jonny Logan) – 21.43
• Open Single Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (Iarla Lewis) – 22.22

The final National selection time trial for senior athletes takes place on the 2000 metre eight lane international course at Strathclyde Park near Hamilton on Saturday 1st April.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 26th February 2006

TENON LTD INVERNESS EIGHTS AND SMALL BOATS HEAD

A good entry of 51 crews was received for the Tenon Ltd Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head which took place in cold but sunny calm conditions on Saturday 18th February on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. Rowed in two divisions, the first started at 11.30am with the second at 2.30pm.
Inverness crews featured in the winners lists. In Division 2, the Inverness womens crew of Doreen Waterson (bow), Ccaro;e Wells, Hazel Geddes, Carolyn Ward, Bridget Senior, Bea Wallace, Susanne Standish-Hunter, Mandy Towrie (stroke) and Meghan Hunter (cox) produced a fine performance in winning the Womes Restricted 2 Eights category in a fine time of 19 minutes 24.72 seconds, with Colin Sinclair in Division 2 also winning the Mens Junior 18 Single Sculls in a time of 22 minutes 23 seconds. Inverness member Alan Sinclair, rowing for Aberdeen Boat Club , also featured in the winners list with this Eights crew winning the Mens Open Eights in a time of 15 minutes 16.17 seconds and the Mens Restricted 1 Eights in 15 minutes 42.15 seconds.
Fastest womens crew of the day was the Womens Open Eight from Aberdeen Boat Club which recorded a fine time of 17 minutes 58.74 seconds in Division 2.

Results - Winners

• Division 1
• Mens Open Eights – Aberdeen Boat Club (McNeill)---15.16
• Mens R2 Eights - Aberdeen Boat Club (Mathers)---16.55
• Mens Open Single Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (McGuigan)---19.47
• Womens R1 Eights – Edinburgh University Boat Club (Parson)----18.19
• Womens Novice Eights – St Andrew Boat Club (Reader)---20.16

• Division 2
• Mens R1 Eights - Aberdeen University Boat Club (McNeill)----15.42
• Mens Novice Eights - Aberdeen University Boat Club (Wallace)----18.25
• Mens Veteran C/D/E Single Sculls – Stirling Rowing Club (Brown)---20.30/19.04
• Mens R1 Single Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (Cross)---19.28
• Mens Junior 18 Single Sculls – Inverness Rowing Club (Sinclair)---22.23
• Womens Open Eights – Aberdeen Boat Club (McDowell)---17.58
• Womens R2 Eights – Inverness Rowing Club (Towrie)---19.24
• Womens Novice Single Sculls – Aberdeen University Boat Club (Toal)---21.54

Fastest Crews in Other Boat Categories

• Division 1
• Mens Veteran D Double Sculls – Glasgow Rowing Club/Inverness Rowing Club(Trenchard)---21.16/19.50
• Mens Novice Single Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (Wright)---21.45
• Womens Open Coxless Pair – Aberdeen Boat Club (Jack)---21.26
• Womens Open Single Sculls – Aberdeen University Boat Club (Toal)---21.52

• Division 2
• Mixed R2 Eights – Aberdeen Boat Club (Wallace)---20.10
• Womens Novice Double Sculls – Inverness Rowing Club (Clouston)---25.44
• Mens Novice Double Sculls – Inverness rowing Club (Niederberger)---26.01
• Results recorded by other Inverness Club crews were Mens R2 Eights (N Wallace, K Andrews, K Sinclair, C Sinclair, B Bell, T Baker, D Alexander, J Muir (stroke), M Lewis (cox) – 17.20)

Prizes were presented to winning crews by Hazel Geddes – representing event sponsor Tenon Ltd.

Next Saturday 25th February sees the Scottish Rowing Trials again being held on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness when the cream of Scottish oarsmen and women will be attempting to produce their best times over the 5000 metre time trial course in an effort to impress the national selectors in advance of the upcoming international selections for this seasons major regattas at home and abroad.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 19th February 2006

Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships 2006

The Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships took place in Wishaw Sports Centre on Sunday 5th February when Inverness were well represented by four members of Inverness Rowing Club who all achieved personal best performances to bring home one Gold, one Silver and two Bronze medals as a result of their efforts.
The Gold and Silver medals were won by two members of the Wells family, daughter Rachael winning Gold in the Womens Junior 12 event with a excellent distance of 489 metres achieved in the 2 minute race time in which she also beat the distance achieved by several athletes from older age categories. Her Mum Carole won her Silver medal with her personal best of 7 minutes 45.8 seconds in the Womens 30 plus category over the 2000 metre race distance.
Bronze medals were achieved in the Mens Junior 16 event by Colin Sinclair with a fine time of 7 minutes 13.1 seconds (after leading his event for fully 1000 metres) while Veteran Joe Wright in the Mens 40 plus event won his medal in an excellent time of 6 minutes 38.5 seconds.

On the water, the club continues with its training and preparation for the TENON Eights and Small Boats Head which takes place of the Caledonian Canal on Saturday 18th February.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 6th February 2006

Tenon Ltd. Inverness 8s and Small Boats Head - 18th February 2006

Division 1 results
Division 2 results

Aberdeen 8s Head - January 29th 2006

Following the Awards Night, two Inverness crews travelled to the Aberdeen Eights Head which took place on the River Dee on Sunday 28th January. These crews achieved two satisfactory second place positions, one in the Mens Open Category in Division 1 behind winners Aberdeen Boat Club and in the Mens Restricted 2 Category in Division 2 in which they just failed by 7 seconds to hold off the challenge of another crew from Aberdeen Boat Club.
The Inverness crew in the Division 1 Open event consisted of Dave Rothwell (bow), Ken Andrews, Ken Sinclair, Colin Sinclair, Roy Sinclair, Duncan Alexander, Neil Wallace, Jon Muir (stroke), Lawrence Edwards (cox).
All athletes also took part in the Restricted 2 event in Division 2, with the exception of Dave Rothwell and Roy Sinclair whose places were taken by Brian Bell and Tom Baker who had earlier raced their coxless pair in the Division 1 race.

Next weekend sees the staging of the Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships in Wishaw Sports Centre on Sunday 5th February when Inverness Rowing Club will be represented by Joe Wright (Men’s 40 plus event), Colin Sinclair (Mens Junior 16 event), Carole Wells (Women's "21 again" ? category) and Rachel Wells (Womens Junior 12).

Alan Sinclair represents Aberdeen Boat Club in the Mens under 23 event.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 30th January 2006

"Oarstars" Party - Jan 28th 2006

Members and friends of Inverness Rowing Club gathered together at the Loch Ness House Hotel last Saturday evening for their Awards Night, carefully organized by committee member Doreen Waterson. As well as a variety of awards to individual members, three principal awards were presented with the Waterson Trophy and the Allan Garraway Trophy being presented for the very first time.

• These three trophies were presented to the following members:-
• Waterson Trophy (the most improved novice) – Mary Clouston
• Southwell Stevenson Single Sculling Trophy (for participation and performance) – Colin Sinclair
• Allan Garraway Single Sculling Trophy (Single Sculls handicapped competition) – Ken Sinclair

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 30th January 2006

IRC at Aberdeen Eights Head 2006

Last Saturday’s Western Eights Head in Glasgow was unfortunately cancelled due to spate water conditions on the River Clyde which classified the course as unsafe to row. The Inverness crew were then quick to focus on next Saturday’s event on the River Dee and conducted training sessions on the much more favourable rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.
Two crews will travel to the Aberdeen Eights Head which this year takes place on Sunday 28th January. Inverness crews will row in the Mens Open Category in Division 1 which starts at 11.45am and in the Mens Restricted 2 Category in Division 2 which starts at 1pm.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 23rd January 2006

Allan Garraway Trophy

On Sunday, the club’s own closed single sculling event was raced for the very first time for the Allan Garraway Sculling Trophy over the 500 metre sprint course on the straight to the north of the Tomnahurich Swing Bridge. A total of 12 athletes, three women and nine men, ranging in age from 15 to 62 took part in this event in very difficult windy conditions with equalising handicaps being applied in favour of the older members who took part.
Those athletes who fought their way through to semi-final positions were in the first semi - final; Ken Andrews and Ken Sinclair, whilst Neil Wallace and Mandy Towrie met in the second semi – final.
Fighting hard into the strong, gusty winds, Ken Sinclair and Neil Wallace squeezed through to the final, which was won by approximately two lengths by the veteran Ken Sinclair.

Event sponsor Allan Garraway, who was present at the event, heartily commended all competitors for their skill and performance in mastering the difficult conditions and congratulated the first ever winner of the trophy.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 12th December 2005

Scottish Trial Weekend

On Saturday, the club hosted the second National squad time trial in 8 weeks when approximately 100 male and female athletes took to the water in two divisions with athletes from throughout Scotland, from south of the border and from Northern Ireland taking part. Kind weather with a light following wind favoured the athletes over the 5 kilometre course from Dochgarroch to Tomnahurich.
Some excellent times were posted with the fastest crews in the event categories in the respective divisions listed as follows:-

• Division 1
• Mens Lightweight Coxless Pairs – Aberdeen Boat Club (Dougie Taylor/Derek Cross) – 18.01
• Mens Open Coxless Pairs - Aberdeen Boat Club (Ross Cruikshank/Alan Sinclair) – 18.30
• Mens Lightweight Single Sculls – National Rowing Academy (Gavin Shaw) – 19.14
• Mens Open Single Sculls – Marlow Rowing Club (John Tetley) – 19.31

• Division 2
• Womens Open Coxless Pairs – Aberdeen Boat Club/Aberdeen University Boat Club (Fiona Hunter/Stephanie McDowell) – 20.16
• Womens Lightweight Single Sculls – Sptarthclyde park Rowing Club (Maureen McGarvey) – 21.21
• Womens Lightweight Coxless Pairs – Glasgow University Boat Club (Rebecca Quane/Imogen Walsh) – 21.26
• Womens Open single Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (Alison Aitken) – 21.27

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 12th December 2005

Newsflash - 7th December 2005

This weekend sees another two days of hectic activity on the Caledonian Canal for Inverness Rowing Club.
On Saturday, the club is assisting again in the organization of the second national squad time trial in 8 weeks when approximately 100 male and female athletes take to the water over the excellent 5k stretch of water from Dochgarroch to Tomnahurich in their efforts to impress the national selectors. Racing this time in two divisions (with 11.30am and 1.30pm start times), athletes from throughout Scotland with some from south of the border and from Ireland will be aiming to better their times from the earlier GB time trial held in October in their bids for national team selection for next season’s international regattas.

On Sunday, the club’s own closed single sculling event is being raced for the very first time for the Allan Garraway Sculling Trophy over the 500 metre sprint course on the straight to the north of the Tomnahurich Swing Bridge. This trophy has been generously presented by one of the club’s senior members for annual single sculling competition and it is unique in that all single sculling members of the club (both male and female) are eligible to take part. An accurate system of fair handicapping is to be applied so that the various ages and abilities of competing members will result in close head to head racing over the course. Racing is due to commence at approximately 11am and some keen competition is expected.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 6th December 2005

The Inverness "Aberdeen Asset managment" Fours Head

Division 1 results
Division 2 results

The Inverness "Aberdeen Asset managment" Fours Head

This very popular event is to be held on the Caledonian Canal on Saturday the 19th November 2005. Click here for Full Details (PDF file.)
You can now also enter online.
Any queries to Entry sec ASAP.
Also - coxes should check out our new Map of the Inverness Head Course.
Neil Wallace - 2nd Oct 2005

Winter 8+ Training Begins - Sunday 25th September 2005

Duncan Alexander falls at the first hurdle.
Click here for details.
Report cruelly submitted by Neil Wallace - 27th September 2005

FISA World Masters Regatta

Inverness Rowing Club travelled to Strathclyde Park near Hamilton with twenty athletes plus several supporters as part of a strong Scottish contingent for the 32nd FISA World Masters Regatta held on the eight lane championship course on Strathclyde Loch from 8th to 11th September.
Three of the Inverness athletes achieved the ultimate success as Gold Medallists. Hazel Smith won Veteran C Double Sculls partnered with Ailie Ord (Clydesdale ARC), winning by a convincing two length margin, whilst Mandy Towrie and Susanne Standish – Hunter had an outstanding one length win in Veteran C Quadruple Sculls partnered by Ailie Ord and Alison Hulme (St Andrew BC)
Former Inverness member John Poland, now rowing for Greenbank Falmouth Rowing Club, won both Veteran D and Veteran E Single Sculls and achieved a fine win in Mixed Veteran C Double Sculls.
Other high placings were achieved by Tom Baker with a second place in Veteran D Single Sculls, Mandy Towrie, Susanne Standish – Hunter, Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord with second place in Veteran C Coxed Fours, Neil Wallace and his Dutch sculling partner with a second place in Mixed Veteran B Double Sculls and Maeve Lewis with third place in Veteran B Single Sculls.
All in all, a most satisfactory performance by all Inverness athletes, particularly those less experienced competitors who achieved many personal best performances in their very first international regatta.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 12th September 2005

HAWCO SPRINT - SATURDAY 20th AUGUST 2005

Inverness Rowing Club is holding the Hawco Sprint Regatta on Saturday the 20th August. This year’s event is again being sponsored by Hawco Inverness.
The event is being held on the Caledonian Canal over a 500 metre course close to the Boathouse. The event is very popular and this year has attracted crews from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Scottish Universities as well as from the home club. A full race programme, which includes junior, senior and veteran events, is expected to start at 10.30am and be completed shortly after 4.00pm.
Spectators are welcome to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing on a length of water which is acknowledged by such as Peter Haining, Scotland's World Champion sculler, as the best in Scotland for rowing. The Boathouse is located two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 13th August 2005

Home International Regatta 2005

At the Home International Regatta in Cardiff, Team Scotland finished third overall in the senior mens, senior womens and junior mens matches. The Scottish junior women had a terrific match, to finish equal on points with England and only lost out on the overall title on count-back, following a late disqualification of the Irish boat in the very first event.
During a day of terrific racing, with many close results over the Cardiff Bay 1500m course, Scotland had three wins in Womens Junior Coxless and Coxed Fours, and Mens Lightweight Doubles Sculls and second places in Womens Lightweight Coxless Pairs, Womens Junior Single Sculls , Mens Junior Double Sculls, Womens Coxed Fours, Womens Junior Quadruple Sculls and Mens Quadruple Sculls.
In the Mens Coxed Four event, Iarla Lewis, Alan Sinclair (Inverness Rowing Club), Ross Cruikshank, Colin Williamson (stroke) and Maedhbh Boyle (cox) - representing Scotland - had a most exciting race with a mere six seconds separating all four crews as they crossed the finishing line, with the verdict going to the English crew which won the UK National Championships the previous weekend.
Also taking place at Cardiff over the weekend were the European University Student Association Championships with the finals being raced on the Sunday where crews from Glasgow University, Strathclyde University and Glasgow Caledonian University reached finals. Imogen Walsh, daughter of Inverness Rowing Club President Paddy Walsh was a member of the Glasgow University Womens Lightweight Coxless Four which took part in this event.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 24th July 2005

Henley Masters Regatta – 8th and 9th July 2005

Inverness Rowing Club again achieved success and many good performances at the two day Henley Masters Regatta last weekend on the River Thames in winning Womens Veteran C Quadruple Sculls.
The Womens Veteran C Quadruple sculled as a composite crew with Ailie Ord (Clydesdale ARC), Susanne Standish-Hunter, Mandy Towrie (both Inverness Rowing Club) and Alison Hulme (St Andrew BC) which won their Gold Medal by a margin of two lengths over Swansea Rowing Club.
In the Womens Veteran C Double Sculls event, Mandy Towrie and Alison Hulme were narrowly beaten in their semi final by a crew from Wycliffe Rowing Club which then won the closest of finals against the Inverness/Clydesdale composite crew of Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord.
A most satisfactory and encouraging performance in the club’s preparation for the World Masters Regatta being held this year at Strathclyde Park near Hamilton where approximately 8000 competitors are expected take part in the largest regatta in the world.
Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 11th July 2005

Report from Henley 2005

Inverness Rowing Club oarsman Alan Sinclair was a member of the Aberdeen Boat Club coxed four along with Colin Williamson, Ross Cruikshank, Irla Lewis and Maeve Boyle (cox) which took part in the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta last week.
Wednesday’s first round race was against a seeded crew from Mortlake Anglian & Alpha Boat Club in which the Aberdeen crew had an extremely close encounter over the 2112 metre course. Passing the halfway mark near Remenham Club 1/3rd of a length ahead, they pushed on to record a fine 1 Ÿ length win.
In their quarter final, they led the heavier City of Oxford crew by 1 œ lengths at the Barrier and increased their lead to 1 Ÿ lengths at the finish post.
Their semi-final opponents from the famous Leander Club weighed in at an average 2 stones heavier per man, and this weight advantage had a significant effect on the result.
Leander took an early lead off the start and although Aberdeen challenged strongly all the way down the course, Leander emerged winners by just over 3 lengths and later won the final of the Britannia Challenge Cup on the Sunday beating Thames Rowing Club by approximately 6 lengths.
The Aberdeen crew produced fine performances in all three of their races and now will concentrate their efforts on the coxed four event at the UK National Championships to be held at Nottingham in just over a weeks time.
This coming weekend sees another three Inverness oarspeople competing at Henley when Mandy Towrie, Susanne Standish–Hunter and Hazel Smith are members of Double Sculling and Quadruple Sculling crews at the Henley Masters Regatta with high hopes of achieving medal success.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 5th July 2005

Henley Royal Regatta and Henley Veteran Regatta 2005

Inverness Rowing Club members are competing on the waters of the River Thames at Henley over the next two week period.
In the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, Alan Sinclair is a member of the Aberdeen Boat Club coxed four which tackles a seeded crew from Mortlake Anglian & Alpha Boat Club in their first round and are confident of progressing to the quarter finals on Friday. Semi-finals and final are on Saturday and Sunday respectively and the small band of Inverness supporters will be on hand to give welcome encouragement to the Aberdeen crew in their attempt to become only the second Scottish crew to achieve success at Henley.
The following weekend sees another three Inverness oarspeople competing at Henley when Mandy Towrie, Susanne Standish–Hunter and Hazel Smith are members of Double Sculling and Quadruple Sculling crews at the Henley Masters Regatta.
Last year Mandy and Susanne won the Veteran C Double Sculls and this year’s squad are keen to emulate that success and bring another crop of medals back to Inverness.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 27th June 2005

Scottish Rowing Championships and Scottish Schools Rowing Championships 11/12th June 2005

Inverness Rowing Club achieved Gold and Silver Medal success at the two day Scottish Championship Regatta at Strathclyde Park in Hamilton last weekend in changeable weather conditions. Gold medals were won in Womens Veteran Quadruple Sculls and Womens Veteran Double Sculls with silver and other medal positions being achieved in a wide variety of other events.
On Saturday, the two Womens Novice Double Sculls of Hazel Geddes/Carole Wells and Bea Wallace/Doreen Waterson qualified in third and first positions respectively in each of the semi-finals to later contest a keenly fought final in which a photo-finish was required to confirm the Wallace/Waterson crew as silver medallists with the fast finishing Geddes/Wells crew less than a length behind. The Womens Veteran Quad sculled as a composite crew with Ailie Ord (Clydesdale ARC), Susanne Standish-Hunter, Mandy Towrie and Alison Hulme (St Andrew BC) which won their Gold Medal by a margin of two lengths over another Inverness composite crew containing Maeve Lewis, Bea Wallace, Elaine Davidson (Strathclyde Park RC) and Hazel Smith.
On Sunday, the Inverness womens crews again took the limelight with Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord (Clydesdale ARC) winning Gold in the Veteran Double Sculls producing a fine lengths win over another Inverness/St Andrew crew comprising Susanne Standish-Hunter and Alison Hulme(St Andrew BC) and the Inverness Novice Coxed Quadruple Scull of Carole Wells, Hazel Geddes, Bea Wallace, Doreen Waterson and Susanne Standish-Hunter (cox) winning their Silver Medals a mere 1.4 second behind winners St Andrew BC, a magnificent achievement for a recently formed crew.
Inverness Mens crews also shone on Sunday with the Novice Coxed Four of Joe Wright, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace and Lawrence Edwards (cox) qualifying from their semi-final in second place to then win their Silver Medals just half a length behind winners Heriot-Watt University. Alistair Duff won a fine Silver Medal in his Veteran C Single Sculling event whilst Tom Baker and Roy Sinclair sculled well in achieving third places in their respective Veteran E and F Single Sculling events.
Neil Wallace and Tom Baker also achieved a fine third place in their Veteran Double Sculls event and Colin Sinclair, competing in two Junior events as an Inverness member and two Schoolboy Championship events representing Fortrose Academy produced fine performances, particularly in the Schoolboy Single Sculls event on the Sunday in which he achieved a second place position.
Colin’s elder brother Alan was strokeman of the Aberdeen Boat Club’s Coxed and Coxless fours which won Gold in the Coxless event on the Sunday and Silver in the Coxed event on Saturday.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 13th June 2005

Inverness RC at Scot Champs and Aberdeen BC at the Met

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club travel to Strathclyde Park near Hamilton to take part in this weekend’s two day Scottish Championships and Scottish Schools Championships Regatta.
Inverness oarsmen and women have entered a wide variety of events including Junior, Schoolboy and Veteran single sculls, Novice and Veteran Double Sculls, Novice Coxed Fours, and Veteran Quadruple Sculls at this most important main season regatta of 2005.

Last weekend, Inverness member Alan Sinclair was the stroke man of the Aberdeen Boat Club’s coxed and coxless fours which took part in the Metropolitan Regatta on the proposed 2012 Olympic rowing course at Dorney Lake near London. Against strong opposition from English clubs, fine performances were recorded in both categories of event with silver and bronze medal positions in Senior 2 and Senior 1 coxed four events respectively on the Saturday and a silver medal position in the Senior 1 coxless four event on the Sunday, just missing the top spot by a mere 0.7 of a second.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 6th June 2005

Castle Semple Regatta – 21st May

Inverness Rowing Club again achieved success and many good performances this time at the Castle Semple Regatta last weekend on Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire in sunny but frequently blustery conditions in winning three events, - Mixed Junior 12 Coxed Quadruple Sculls, Womens Junior 12 Double Sculls and Mixed Junior 11 Aquajog.
Taking part in these Junior 12 events in their first ever competitive regatta were six members of the club’s cadet squad, Sarah Cameron, Fern Urquhart, Adam Geddes, Rachel Wells, Meghan and Shaun Hunter who competed in Coxed Quadruple Sculling, Double Sculling and Aquajog events under the watchful eye of experienced senior coach Susanne Standish-Hunter. All competed with distinction particularly those who won their events. Shaun, Adam, Rachel and Meghan won their Coxed Quadruple Sculls race by a convincing two lengths against Castle Semple RC after having been a length down with 250 metres to go, whilst Meghan and Rachel later had a fine win in their double sculling race. Adam also had an excellent second win in his Aquajog single sculling race in particularly windy conditions, whilst all four girls took part in the girls quadruple sculls but just missed out on gold medal place.
Senior members of the club took also part in a variety of events but could not match the success of their junior counterparts. Many close finishes were witnessed and some character building performances in the difficult conditions were demonstrated by all the Inverness contingent who took part.

The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the Scottish Championships which takes place at Strathclyde Park near Hamilton on 11th and 12th June.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 22nd May 2005

Castle Semple Regatta

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club make the log journey to Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire to take part in this weekend’s Castle Semple Rowing Club’s Regatta.

Inverness oarsmen and women have entered a wide variety of events including Junior, Novice and Veteran single sculls, Novice and Veteran Double Sculls, Novice and Veteran Coxed Fours, Restricted 2 and Veteran Eights. Also taking part in Junior 12 events in their first ever competitive regatta are members of the club’s cadet squad comprising Sarah Cameron, Fern Urquhart, Adam Geddes, Rachel Wells, Meghan and Shaun Hunter who will compete in Coxed Quadruple Sculling, Double Sculling and Aquajog events under the watchful eye of experienced senior coach Susanne Standish-Hunter.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 17th May 2005

Aberdeen North East Regatta – 7th and 8th May 2005

Inverness Rowing Club again achieved success and many good performances at the two day Aberdeen North East Regatta last weekend on the River Dee in occasionally stormy conditions in winning five events, - Mixed Novice Eights, Womens Restricted 2 Coxed Fours, Womens Veteran Coxed Fours, Womens Veteran Coxless Pairs and Mens Novice Coxed Fours
On Saturday, the Mixed Novice Eight of Hazel Geddes, (bow) Carole Wells, Joe Wright, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace, Doreen Waterson, Bea Wallace, (stroke) and Carolyn Ward (cox) had an excellent win by one and half lengths over Aberdeen BC. Three members of this crew (Waterson, Bea Wallace, Hazel Smith and Ward with Susan McAskill as cox later contested the Womens Restricted 2 Coxed Fours final and had a resounding one and a half lengths win over Aberdeen BC after having comfortably disposed of another Aberdeen University BC crew in their semi-final.
The Inverness Mens Novice Coxed Four of Wright (bow), Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace (stroke), Bea Wallace (cox) enjoyed sound wins in their two preliminary rounds against Aberdeen BC and ASRA crews but lost out by a mere two feet to Aberdeen BC in a most exciting final of this event.
Similar disappointment befell the Womens Restricted 2 Eight of Hazel Geddes (bow), Carole Wells, Caroline Peeling, Mary Clouston, Hazel Smith, Carolyn Ward, Doreen Waterson, Bea Wallace (stroke), Aideen Lyons (cox) in a close race won by 1/3rd of a length by the host club.Hazel Geddes and Carole Wells raced well in the difficult conditions in the Veteran Double Sculls but were beaten by a faster crew from Aberdeen BC. In horrendous hailstorm conditions, Colin Sinclair raced well in the final of the Mens Junior 16 Single Sculls but was beaten by Dixon from George Watsons College, whilst in the Mens Novice Single Sculls, he was edged out of the winning position by Chalmers of ASRA. Club captain Roy Sinclair contested the Veteran Single Sculls event but lost out to the faster finishing event winner Davidson of the host club.

On Sunday, the Inverness Mens Novice Coxed Four of Joe Wright (bow), Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace (stroke) and Bea Wallace (cox) won their first race beating Aberdeen BC by one length, their semi final by Ÿ length from Aberdeen University BC and then sealed the event by winning their final by one length against another Aberdeen BC crew, a fine performance.
Claire Smith and Hazel Smith convincingly won Womens Veteran Coxless Pairs by three lengths from Aberdeen BC but although winning the Womens Restricted 1 event by a similar margin, were disqualified for faulty steering in the difficult windy conditions.
Bea Wallace and Doreen Waterson just missed out in the final of Womens Restricted 2 Double Sculls against a faster crew from Aberdeen University BC but later combined with Claire and Hazel Smith to clinch the Womens Veteran Coxed Four invitation event with a fine two length win over the host club.

Without doubt, a most satisfactory performance from the Inverness Club which earned them 3rd equal place in the Championship of the Dee.

At the Ghent International Regatta in Belgium, Alan Sinclair (now rowing for Aberdeen University) stroked the Aberdeen BC/Aberdeen University BC crew to first place in their semi-final of the Mens Open Coxed Fours event and later to a bronze medal in the final, chasing crews from Leander BC and Imperial College in an exciting close finish for the line.
The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the Castle Semple Regatta which takes place at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire on 21st May when some of the Inverness club’s youngest members will start their competitive rowing careers.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 8th May 2005

Aberdeen North East Regatta

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club travel to Aberdeen this weekend to take part in the two day Aberdeen North East Regatta on the River Dee.
Inverness oarsmen and women have entered a wide variety of events including Junior, Novice and Veteran Single Sculls, Novice, Restricted 2 and Veteran Double Sculls, Restricted 2 and Veteran Coxless Pairs, Novice Coxed Fours, Mixed and Restricted 2 Eights at another of the significant main season regattas of 2005.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 4th May 2005

Strathclyde Park Regatta - 23/24th April 2005

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success and many good performances at the two day Strathclyde Park Regatta in Hamilton last weekend in sunny if sometimes windy conditions in winning four events, - Womens Restricted 2 Eights, Womens Veteran Double Sculls, Womens Veteran Coxless Pairs and Womens Veteran Quadruple Sculls.
On Saturday, the Womens Restricted 2 Eight of Doreen Waterson (bow) Carole Wells, Hazel Geddes , Carolyn Ward, Hazel Smith, Bea Wallace, Mandy Towrie, Susanne Hunter (stroke) and Laurence Edwards (cox) had an excellent win by one length over crews from Heriot Watt University and Glasgow University.
Five members of this crew had earlier contested the Womens Veteran Double Sculls with the composite crew of Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord (Clydesdale ARC) achieving a good two length win over the Towrie/Standish-Hunter combination with the Wells/Geddes combination finishing closely behind. The Wallace/Waterson and Wells/Geddes combinations also competed in the Womens Novice Double Sculls event, both crews qualifying for the final where the Wallace/Waterson crew just missed out on a medal position.
Towrie, Standish-Hunter and Smith achieved further success on the Sunday when Towrie and Smith won the Womens Veteran Coxless Pairs with Towrie and Standish-Hunter later winning Womens Veteran Quads sculls in a composite crew with Ord (Clydesdale ARC) and Alison Hulme (St Andrew BC).
The Inverness Mens Novice Coxed Four of Joe Wright (bow), Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace (stroke) and Lawrence Edwards (cox) qualified well in their semi final events on both the Saturday and Sunday and achieved bronze medal positions in both finals.
Wallace and Wright achieved third place in Mens Restricted 2 Coxless Pairs on Saturday with Wallace and Ken Sinclair combining in the Mens Novice Double Sculls on Sunday to achieve another good finish.
The Mens Restricted 2 Eight of Alastair Duff (bow), Colin Sinclair, Damian Ward, Ian Hunter, Joe Wright, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace and Dave Wright (cox) had an extremely quick race in this event although missing out on a medal placing.
Alastair Duff and Roy Sinclair sculled in separate Mens Veteran Single Sculls events, Alastair achieving fourth place and Roy second place, whilst Colin Sinclair produced fine performances in both Mens Junior 16 and Mens Junior 15 Single Sculling events.
Colin's elder brother Alan (now rowing for Aberdeen University) won Scottish Universities Championship Single Sculls and achieved an excellent second place in Mens Open Single Sculls behind reigning UK National Champion Alastair Warnock (Glasgow RC). Alan also won a silver medal in Scottish Universities Championship Coxless Pairs with Aberdeen University BC President Colin Williamson.
The next main season regatta at which Inverness athletes will be competing will be the North Eastern Regatta which takes place on the River Dee in Aberdeen on 7th and 8th May.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 25th April 2005

Strathclyde Park Regatta

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club travel to Strathclyde Park near Hamilton to take part in this weekends two day Strathclyde Park Regatta.
Inverness oarsmen and women have entered a wide variety of events including Junior, Novice and Veteran single sculls, Novice and Veteran Double Sculls, Novice Coxed Fours, Restricted 2 and Veteran Eights at one of the significant main season regattas of 2005.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 17th April 2005

Tideway "Head of the River" Eights Heads 2005

Inverness Rowing Club made the long trip to London last weekend to take part in two of the largest one day rowing events which take place annually of the River Thames.
On Saturday, the Inverness crew of Dave Howard (bow), Derek McMorrine, Joe Wright, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Andy Robb, Chris Gates, Neil Wallace (stroke) and Lawrence Edwards (cox) produced a fine performance to record a time of 21 minutes 9.20 seconds to claim 306th place in an international entry of 450 eights from throughout Britain and Europe. In doing so they improved 95 places on their performance of last year and moved up 23 positons from their starting order slot. A most satisfactory effort from this crew who have been in serious training since last September in preparation for this event under the critical eye of Chief Coach Ian Hunter.
Following recovery from their exploits on the Saturday, the crew took to the waters of the Thames on Sunday to compete in the Vesta Veterans Head in which they recorded a sound performance with a time of 22 minutes 12.78 seconds, achieving 79th place from an entry of 157 crews racing the same 4 Πmile stretch of the Thames from Putney to Mortlake which will be used in the historic Oxford Cambridge Boat Race on Sunday 26th March.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 20th March 2005

ABERDEEN EIGHTS HEAD

The Aberdeen Eights Head took place last Saturday 26th February in cold but relatively calm conditions on the River Dee when Inverness Rowing Club again achieved success with their Mens crew of Alastair Duff (bow), Colin Sinclair, Joe Wright, Ken Andrews, Brian Bell, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace (stroke) and Susanne Standish-Hunter (cox) rowing a powerful and confident race to win in a fine time of 10 minutes 19 seconds against stiff opposition from University crews from Aberdeen and St Andrews.
Also competing from Inverness were the Womens Restricted 2 crew of Doreen Waterson (bow), Carole Wells, Hazel Geddes, Catherine Morton, Hazel Smith, Caroline Ward, Susanne Standish-Hunter, Bea Wallace (stroke) and Neil Wallace (cox) who recorded an excellent time of 11 minutes 18 seconds to achieve second place in their event behind a very quick Aberdeen University crew.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 27th February 2005

TENON LTD INVERNESS EIGHTS AND SMALL BOATS HEAD

An excellent entry of 87 crews was received for the Tenon Ltd Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head which took place in cold but relatively calm conditions on Saturday 19th February on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. Rowed in two divisions, the first started at 11.30am with the second at 2.30pm.
Inverness crews featured in the winners lists. In Division 1, the Inverness/St Andrew Boat Club composite of Dave Howard (bow), Colin Sinclair, Alastair Duff, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Andy Robb, Chris Gates, Neil Wallace (stroke) and Lawrence Edwards (cox) produced the fastest time of the day in winning the Mens Restricted 2 Eights category in a fine time of 16 minutes 40.1 seconds, with Alastair Duff in Division 2 also winning the Mens Veteran C Single Sculls by the narrowest margin of 0.6 of a second from Iain Morton also of Inverness.
Inverness member Alan Sinclair, rowing for Aberdeen University Boat Club with Ross Cruikshanks, also featured in the winners list with this crew winning the Mens Restricted 2 Double Sculls in a time of 18 minutes 1.2 seconds.
Fastest womens crew of the day was the Womens Restricted 1 Eight from Clydesdale ARC/St Andrew Boat Club which recorded a fine time of 17 minutes 01.9 seconds in Division 1, the fastest time in Division 2 being recorded by the Glasgow RC veteran D crew which achieved a time of 17 minutes 20.5 seconds/ adjusted to 16 minutes 12.5 seconds on application of handicap allowance.

• Results - Winners
  • Division 1
  • Mens R2 Eights - Inverness RC/St Andrew BC (Wallace)---16.40
  • Mens Veteran B Double Sculls – Castle Semple RC (Murray)----17.24/17.14
  • Mens Open Double Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (McConnell)---18.25
  • Mens Junior 18 Double Sculls – Strathclyde Park RC (Gaddis)---18.59
  • Mens Open Single Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Philips)---19.00
  • Mens Novice Single Sculls – Aberdeen Boat Club (McGuigan)---19.53
  • Womens R1 Eights – Clydesdale ARC/St Andrew BC (Young)----17.01
  • Womens Novice Eights – Cldesdale ARC (Toal)---19.09
  • Womens Lightweight Single Sculls – Clyde ARC (Gorton)---21.26
  • Womens Junior 16 Single Sculls – Strathclyde Park ARC (C Santoni)---23.22
  • Division 2
  • Mens R2 Double Sculls - Aberdeen University BC (Sinclair)---18.01
  • Mens Novice Eights - Aberdeen University Boat Club (Houston)----18.43
  • Mens Lightweight Single Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Philips)---19.15
  • Mens Veteran D/E/F Single Sculls – Glasgow RC (Trenchard)---21.54/19.55
  • Mens Veteran C Single Sculls – Inverness RC (Duff)---20.51/20.13
  • Mens Junior 16 Double Sculls – Strathclyde park RC (Barton)---21.46
  • Womens Open Eights –Clydesdale ARC/St Andrew BC (Young)---17.26
  • Womens R2 Eights – St Andrew BC (MacDonald)---18.26
  • Womens R2 Double Sculls – Clyde ARC (Schumacher)---20.20
  • Womens Junior 16 Single Sculls – Strathclyde Park ARC (C Santoni)---22.03

• Fastest Crews in Other Boat Categories
  • Division 1
  • Mens Open Coxed Four - Aberdeen University BCl/Aberdeen BC (Taylor)---16.46
  • Mens R2 Coxless Pair – St Andrew BC (Collings)---19.25
  • Womens Veteran C Double Sculls – Strathclyde Park RC (McAdie)---20.14
  • Mixed Double Sculls – Starthclyde Park RC (Struthers)---18.26
  • Division 2
  • Mens Veteran D Eights – Glasgow Rowing Club (Kerr)---17.20/16.12
  • Mens Open Double Sculls - Castle Semple RC (Murray)--- 17.30
  • Mens Open Lightweight Double Sculls – Aberdeen BC (McRae)---17.34
  • Mens Veteran D Coxless Pairs – Inverness RC (Baker)---19.50/18.33
  • Mens Junior 18 Coxless Pairs – Strathclyde Park RC/Castle Semple RC (Shankland)---19.50
  • Mens Junior 18 Single Sculls – Glasgow Schools RC (Carden)---22.09
  • Womens Junior 18 Single Sculls – Strathclyde Park RC (N Santoni)---24.43

Results recorded by other Inverness Club crews were Womens R2 Eights (D Waterson, C Wallace, H Geddes, C Morton, H Smith, C Ward, M Towrie, B Wallace – stroke, S Standich- Hunter - cox) -19.09 and Mens Veteran F Double Sculls ( D Ruane, I Hunter - stroke) - 22.05/19.32
Prizes were presented to winning crews by Hazel Geddes – representing event sponsor Tenon Ltd.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 20th February 2005

The Tenon Ltd. Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head

From the race committee - "Essential Information for competitors" added - please read thoroughly if you are attending on Saturday.

Neil Wallace - 16th Feb 2005

Press release 15th February 2005

Inverness Rowing Club is holding the TENON LTD INVERNESS EIGHTS AND SMALL BOATS HEAD 2005 on SATURDAY 19th February on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal
The event is being held on a 4500 metre course between Dochgarroch and the club’s boathouse near Tomnahurich Swing Bridge The event is very popular and this year has attracted crews from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Scottish Universities as well as from the home club and crews challenging for selection to the National Squad.
This year the race is being supported by Tenon Ltd who have accountancy offices in Inverness and throughout the UK.
Spectators are welcome to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing on a length of water which is regularly used by Scottish international crews for training and is acknowledged by such as Peter Haining, Scotland's World Champion sculler, as the best in Scotland for rowing. Racing will be in two divisions – the first scheduled to start at 11.30am and the second at 2.30pm.
The Boathouse is located two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 15th February 2005

The Tenon Ltd. Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head

Click here for the Provisional Draw (PDF file.)
Any queries to Entry sec ASAP.

Neil Wallace - 11th Feb 2005

Western Eights Head

Last Saturday (29th January 2005) saw the Inverness Mens R2 crew of Dave Howard (bow), Derek McMorrine, Joe Wright, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Andy Robb, Chris Giles, Neil Wallace (stroke) and Lawrence Edwards (cox) taking part in the Western Eights Head on the twisting waters of the River Clyde. Competing in Division 2 in the afternoon, this crew recorded a fine time of 19 minutes 36 seconds to claim third place in the R2 section and 5th place overall. A most encouraging performance in their preparation for the forthcoming Tenon Ltd Inverness Eights Head on the Caledonian Canal on 19th February and the Tideway Eights Head in London in March.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 30th January 2005

Scottish Amateur Rowing Association Open Indoor Rowing Championships

On Saturday 22nd January, over 300 competitors took part in the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association Open Indoor Rowing Championships which were held at Dalziel High School in Motherwell.
Competition was keen in the wide variety of age categories and some excellent performances were recorded, particularly in the younger age groups.
Inverness Rowing Club were represented by the two Sinclair brothers from Belmaduthy with Colin taking part in the Junior 14 section and Alan, now a student at Aberdeen University and a member also of Aberdeen University Boat Club, competing in the Under 23 Heavyweight section. Both athletes produced their personal best performances to date. Colin recorded a time of 7 minutes 33.4 seconds narrowly missing a Bronze medal with his strong finishing burst, whilst Alan also finished strongly in his event to secure Bronze in an excellent time of 6 minutes 32.4 seconds.
Also representing Inverness in the Mens over 40 section was Joe Wright who put up a sound performance in recording a time of 6 minutes 43.6 seconds against some highly competent opposition.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 30th January 2005

INVERNESS ROWING CLUB - ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT INVERNESS FOURS HEAD

Results by start order
Results by time
An excellent entry of 192 crews was received for the Aberdeen Asset Management Inverness Fours Head which took place in cold, fine, dry, almost windless conditions on Saturday 20th November on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.
Rowed in two divisions, the first started at approximately 12.15pm with the second at approximately 2.45pm.

Results

• Winners of Coxed Fours
  • Division 1
  • Mens Open Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Logan)---15.31
  • Mens R2 Fours - Strathclyde University Boat Club (Ferrier)---16.44
  • Mens Junior U18 Fours – George Herriots School (Williams)---17.55
  • Womens R1 Fours – Clydesdale ARC (Fran Jacob)---18.01
  • Womens Veteran Fours - Inverness Rowing Club (Smith)---18.54
  • Womens Novice Fours - Edinburgh University Boat Club (Haddad) – 20.05
  • Mixed Novice Fours - George Herriots School (Manson)---19.42
  • Division 2
  • Mens R1 Fours – Strathclyde University Boat Club (Ferrier)---16.42
  • Mens Veteran Fours – Glasgow RC (Brown)---16.59
  • Mens Novice Fours - George Herriots School (Steven)---17.50
  • Mens Junior U16 Fours – George Herriots School (Malley)---19.27
  • Womens Open Fours – Aberdeen University Boat Club (Crighton)---18.28
  • Womens R2 Fours –St Andrew Boat Club (MacDonald)---18.55
• Fastest Crews in Other Boat Categories
  • Division 1
  • Mens R2 Coxless Four - Glasgow University Boat Club (Duncan)---19.15
  • Mens Junior U14 Coxed Fours - George Herriots School (Steven)---21.47
  • Mens R1 Coxless Pair - Clyde ARC (Farmer)---17.54
  • Mens Veteran Double Scull – St Andrew Boat Club (Lowe)---16.54
  • Mens Junior U16 Double Scull – Glasgow Schools (Surgener)---19.46
  • Mens Open Single Scull - Aberdeen University Boat Club (Shaw)---17.29
  • Mens R1 Single Scull - Aberdeen Boat Club (Taylor)---18.03
  • Mens R2 Single Scull - Glasgow Rowing Club (Stevenson)---18.31
  • Mens Novice Single Scull - Aberdeen Boat Club (Cordiner)---19.09
  • Mens Veteran Single Scull - Stirling RC (Brown)---17.40
  • Womens Open Quad Scull – Aberdeen Boat Club (Aiken)---17.49
  • Womens Junior U14 Coxed Quad – Loch Lomond ARC (Campbell)---21.23
  • Womens R1 Coxless Pairs - St Andrew Boat Club (McGuire)---22.35
  • Womens Novice Double Sculls - Clyde ARC (Schumacher)---19.46
  • Womens R2 Single Sculls – Glasgow Rowing Club (McMaster)---21.41
  • Womens Novice Single Sculls – St Andrew Boat Club (Coates)---22.16
  • Division 2
  • Mens Open Coxless Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Nagle)---16.33
  • Mens R1 Coxless Pair - Clyde ARC (Farmer)---18.18
  • Mens Open Single Scull - Aberdeen University Boat Club (Shaw)---17.54
  • Mens Veteran Double Scull – St Andrew Boat Club (Lowe)---17.02
  • Mens R2 Double Scull – Inverness Rowing Club (C Sinclair)---21.37
  • Mens R1 Single Scull - Aberdeen Boat Club (Taylor)---18.27
  • Mens R2 Single Scull - Aberdeen University Boat Club (A Sinclair)---18.37
  • Mens Novice Single Scull - Aberdeen University Boat Club (Cruikshank)---19.07
  • Mens Veteran Single Scull - Stirling RC (Brown)---18.02
  • Womens Junior U14 Coxed Quad – Loch Lomond ARC(Campbell)---25.19
  • Womens Junior U14 Coxed Four - George Herriots School (Watt)---24.03
  • Womens R1 Coxless Pairs - Clydesdale ARC (Jowitt)---20.37
  • Womens R2 Coxless Pairs - St Andrew Boat Club (McGuire)---23.28
  • Womens R2 Single Scull - Clydesdale ARC (Fran Jacob)---20.30
  • Womens Novice Single Sculls – Cldesdale ARC (Young)---21.37
  • Womens Veteran Single Scull – St Andrew Boat club (Hulme)---21.22

• Results recorded by other Inverness club crews were
• Mens Novice Coxed Four (Wallace)---18.10
• Mens Veteran Single Scull (Baker)---19.27
• Mens Veteran Single Scull (Morton) ---19.29
• Womens R2 Double Scull (Waterson)---19.50
• Womens Nov Single Scull (Baptie)---25.04

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 21st November 2004

Essential safety reading

Common sense sculling by Ian Hunter.

Nairn Harbour Festival 19th September 2004

The Nairn Harbour Festival hosted a series of invitation rowing events in the harbour area in which crews from the Inverness club took part in a series of demonstration events as part in the three day Harbour Festival.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 19th September 2004

Aberdeen Sprint 18th September 2004

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success at the Aberdeen Boat Club’s Sprint Regatta in sunny but challenging windy conditions on the River Dee last Saturday.
In Womens Novice Coxed Fours, the Inverness crew of Hazel Geddes (bow), Mary Clouston, Doreen Waterson, Bea Wallace (stroke), Mandy Towrie (cox) had a sound one length win over Aberdeen Boat Club in their semi-final and went on to record a fine two length win in the final against Dundee University Boat Club.
This crew in Wallace/Waterson and Clouston/Geddes combinations also took part in the Womens Restricted 2 Double Sculls event with good performances although just missing out on places in the final of this event.
Other Inverness members, Mandy Towrie and Tom Baker took part in the Mixed Double Sculls narrowly being beaten in their semi-final, whilst in Veteran Single Sculls, Baker won his semi-final against Wallace of Aberdeen BC but was just edged out in the final by Newton of Aberdeen BC who had earlier beaten Roy Sinclair of Inverness by two lengths. Baker also won his Novice Single Sculls semi-final against Grundy of Aberdeen BC but in the final was beaten by the narrowest of margins by Ellis of Dundee University Boat Club. Doreen Waterson also put up a fine performance in the difficult, windy conditions in Womens Novice Single Sculls being pipped on the line in the final of this event by Archibald of Aberdeen BC.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 19th September 2004

Loch Laggan Weekend.

Inverness Rowing Club recently held what has become a regular training weekend camp with almost twenty members enjoying the spectacular ‘ Monarch of the Glen ‘ waters of Loch Laggan. A most satisfactory weekend was held with a number of recently joined members taking part along with three visiting members from Aberdeen University Boat Club.
Conditions were breezy to say the least on the Saturday, but calmer, sunny conditions on the Sunday permitted some very useful coaching sessions under the watchful eye of Senior Coach Ian Hunter.

This coming weekend sees two events in which Inverness members are taking part.
On Saturday, male and female athletes travel to Aberdeen to compete in the Aberdeen Boat Club’s Sprint regatta on the River Dee whilst on Sunday afternoon, the Nairn Harbour Festival hosts a series of invitation rowing events in the harbour area in which crews from the Inverness club and Aberdeen Boat Club compete as part of a comprehensive programme of activities in the three day Harbour Festival. Rowing events are scheduled to take place from 3pm till approximately 4.15pm on the Sunday afternoon.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 13th September 2004

HAWCO SPRINT 2004

An good entry was received for the HAWCO SPRINT 2004 which took place in calm, sunny conditions on Saturday 21st August on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.

• Inverness crews featured in many of the events and were victorious in the following events
• Mens Novice Coxed Fours – Joe Wright, Neil Wallace, Ken Sinclair, Duncan Alexander(stroke), Helen Wallace(cox)
• Mens Veteran Coxed Fours – Dave Rothwell, Paddy Walsh, Roy Sinclair, Alastair Duff(stroke), Thomas Prag(cox)
• Mens R2 Coxless Pairs - Neil Wallace, Joe Wright(stroke)
• Mens R2 Double Sculls – Colin Sinclair, Alan Sinclair(Aberdeen University BC) (stroke)
• Mens Novice Single Sculls – Ken Sinclair
• Mens Veteran Single Sculls – Tom Baker
• Womens R2 Double Sculls – Susannne Standish-Hunter, Doreen Waterson(stroke)
• Womens Veteran Single Sculls - Mandy Towrie
• Mixed Veteran Eights – Alastaair Duff, Caatherine Morton, Hazel Smith, Ian Hunter, Roy Sinclair, Tom Baaaaker, Mandy Towrie, Susanne Standish-Hunter(stroke), Thomas Prag(cox)
• Mixed R2 Double Sculls – Mandy Towrie, Tom Baker(stroke)

Other Inverness crews were also involved in a number of extremely close finishes throughout a day of fine competitive racing.

• Other Winners
• Mens R2 Coxed Fours – St Andrew BC/Kings College BC/Corpus Christie BC(Kraeling)
• Mens Open Single Sculls - Aberdeen University BC (Sinclair)
• Mens R2 Single Sculls - Strathclyde University BC (Graham)
• Womens R2 Coxed Fours - St Andrew BC (MacIntosh)
• Womens Veteran Coxed Fours- Aberdeen BC(Matheson)
• Womens R2 Single Sculls – Aberdeen BC(Pirie)
• Womens Novice Single Sculls – Hong Kong Shanghai Bank BC(Walsh)
• Mixed R2 Eights - St Andrew BC(McMorrine)
• Mixed Novice Double Sculls – St Andrew BC(Ayres)

Prizes were presented by President Paddy Walsh on behalf event sponsor Hawco of Inverness.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 22nd August 2004

HAWCO SPRINT 2004 - SATURDAY 21st AUGUST 2004

Inverness Rowing Club is holding the HAWCO SPRINT REGATTA on Saturday the 21st August. This year’s event is again being sponsored by Hawco Inverness.
The event is being held on the Caledonian Canal over a 500 metre course close to the Boathouse. The event is very popular and this year has attracted crews from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Scottish Universities as well as from the home club. A full race programme starts at 11.15am and is expected to finish at around 4.00pm.
Spectators are welcome to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing on a length of water which is acknowledged by such as Peter Haining, Scotland's World Champion sculler, as the best in Scotland for rowing. The Boathouse is located two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Sunday 15th August 2004

Inverness Hawco Sprint - Saturday 21st August 2004

Details of this event can be downloaded HERE

• Notes from regatta secretary 7th August 2004.
• mixed 8s are 4 men, 4 ladies and a cox
• if insufficient entries received for one particular category of event, crews will be entered in the next (highr status category) unless crews indicate that they do not wish this to happen. ---- R2 would move to R1 etc

INVERNESS DOUBLE WINS VETERAN HENLEY AGAIN

Inverness Rowing Club scullers, Mandy Towrie and Susanne Standish-Hunter, successfully defended their title as winners of the women's Vet C (43-49yrs) double sculls in the Veteran Henley Regatta over the weekend. Their two length win over Bewdley RC in the final followed two decisive earlier races over Norwich RC and Berda RC from the Netherlands. Racing was hampered by very wet, windy weather with occasional hail. The Inverness crew won the same event last year over a fancied double from Boston, USA.
Tom Baker, also from Inverness RC, teamed up with Peter Wells from Itchen Imperial R.C. in their first race together, to compete in the men's Vet D (50-55yrs) double sculls. Their first round opposition, Dart Totnes RC of Devon, struggled to maintain a straight course, but managed to pull away from the Inverness composite. Good steering is essential at Henley as the wooden booms on the edge of the course are very unforgiving, and the race umpires do not tolerate crews which stray out of their station.
Mandy Towrie and Susanne Standish-Hunter also competed in the women's Vet C coxed fours event, together with Ailie Ord of Clydesdale RC and Alison Hulme of St Andrew BC. Unfortunately they were beaten by a length in their semi final against the eventual winners, a Sons of the Thames Composite crew.

Report submitted by - Tom Baker - 14th July 2004

Scottish Championships 12/13th June

The MacRae and Dick ‘Discovery’ squad from Inverness Rowing Club achieved success at the two day Scottish Championship Regatta at Strathclyde Park in Hamilton last weekend in fine, dry but sometimes windy conditions in winning two events – Mens Novice Eights, and Womens Veteran Double Sculls.
On Saturday, the Mens Novice Eight with Joe Wright, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair and Neil Wallace in a composite crew with St Andrew Boat Club had a convincing win over crews from Edinburgh and Glasgow University Boat Clubs in an exciting race for the finishing line. Shortly after, the Inverness Womens Intermediate Eight of Anne MacDonald, Carole Wells, Doreen Waterson, Catherine Morton, Helen Wallace, Bea Wallace, Mandy Towrie, Susanne Standish-Hunter(Stroke) and Jo Wherret (cox) had the closest finish of the regatta in losing the Gold Medal on a photo-finish against a Glasgow University crew stroked by Imogen Walsh (daughter of the Inverness Club’s President Paddy). The Mens Intermediate Eight of Dave Rothwell, Duncan Alexander, Joe Wright, Neil Wallace, Roy Sinclair, Ian hunter, Ken Sinclair, Tom Baker (stroke) and Susanne Standish-Hunter (cox) had a fine race against younger university opposition and achieved a satisfactory third place in this final
Neil Wallace and Tom Baker sculled well in their heats of Mens Novice Single Sculls whilst the Womens Novice Double Scull of Doreen Waterson and Bea Wallace also had a satisfactory third place in the final of this event. The Womens Novice Four of Helen Wallace, Carole Wells, Doreen Waterson, Bea Wallace (stroke) and Susanne Standish-Hunter (cox) had a challenging race in the final of this event just losing out on first place to a crew from St Andrews University Boat Club.
On Sunday, the Inverness Womens crews took the limelight with Susanne Standish-Hunter and Mandy Towrie winning Gold in the Veteran Double Sculls producing a fine three lengths win over a Strathclyde Park RC crew and the Inverness double of Bea and Helen Wallace who claimed the Bronze Medal position.
The Inverness Womens Novice Coxed Four again raced in the final of this event on Sunday and achieved a sound third position, despite suffering equipment failure during their race. The Inverness Mens Novice Four of Joe Wright, Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Neil wallace (stroke) and Susanne Standish-Hunter (cox) had a fine three length win in their semi-final but just missed out on a top three place in an extremely close final.
Other Inverness Mens crews also shone on Sunday although just missing out on the top places. The composite Inverness/ St Andrew Boat Club Veteran Eight with Roy Sinclair, Tom Baker and Alistair Duff on board produced one a the most exciting finishes of the day in clawing back 11 of the 15 second handicap awarded to the older Clydesdale ARC Eight. Alistair Duff, Tom Baker and Roy Sinclair sculled well but without Gold Medal success in their respective Veteran B, D and F Single Sculling events, whilst Doreen Waterson achieved third place in her very first Womens Novice Sculling event. The Mens Novice Double Scull of Neil Wallace and Ken Sinclair also achieved third place in final of this event.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Tuesday 15th June 2004

Scottish championships - 12/13th June 2004

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club travel to Strathclyde Park near Hamilton to take part in this weekends two day Scottish Championships Regatta.
Inverness oarsmen and women have entered a wide variety of events including Novice and Veteran single sculls, Novice and Veteran Double Sculls, Novice Coxed Fours, Novice, Intermediate and Veteran Eights at the most significant main season regatta of 2004.
Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 7th June 2004

Strathclyde Park Regatta - 24/25th April 2004

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success and many good performances at the two day Strathclyde Park Regatta in Hamilton last weekend in sunny if sometimes windy conditions in winning two events, - Womens Veteran Double Sculls and Mens Veteran D Single Sculls.
On Saturday, the Mens Novice Double Sculls combinations of Neil Wallace and Ken Sinclair achieved an excellent second place whilst Joe Wright and Duncan Alexander sculled well in their first competitive sculling race together.
Neil’s wife Bea and her sister – in – law Helen also achieved a most satisfactory second place in their Novice Double Sculls event. Also competing on Saturday were Mandy Towrie and Susanne Hunter in Womens Restricted 1 Double Sculls in which they challenged much younger athletes in producing a fine performance over the shorter 1000 metre course. Neil Wallace gave a sound performance in the final of the Mens Novice Single sculls but just missed out on a top three placing. In the secong last race of the day the Womens Restricted 2 Eight of Anne Macdonald (bow) Carole Wells, Doreen Waterson, Mandy Towrie, Helen wallace, Bea Wallace, Hazel Smith, Susanne Hunter (stroke) and Jo Wherret (cox) had a most exciting race in which all six crews could barely be separated until the last 250 metres with the Inverness crew finishing in fifth place ahead of the St Andrew BC crew.
On Sunday, the Inverness Womens Veteran Double Sculls crew of Towrie and Hunter had an outstanding four lengths win with the other Inverness crew of Doreen Waterson and Bea Wallace producing a fine performance in their first race together in claiming fourth place against some very competent opposition. Tom Baker won the Veteran D Single Sculls in fine style, whilst Alastair Duff claimed second place in the Veteran B/C Single Sculls. The Womens Restricted 2 Eight with Catherine Morton in board had yet another excellent perfomance but just missed a top three spot, which also just eluded the Mens Restricted 2 Eight of Dave Rothwell (bow), Duncan Alexander, Joe Wright, Ian Hunter, Roy Sinclair, Ken Sinclair, Neil Wallace, Tom Baker (stroke) and David Watt (cox). A terrific last finishing burst by the Mens Novice Coxed Four of Neil Wallace (bow) Duncan Alexander, Joe Wright, Ken Sinclair (stroke) and Helen Wallace (cox) saw them push past three crews to claim third place in the final, a fine performance.

Also taking part in the regatta was Alan Sinclair (now a student at Aberdeen University) who competed in a variety of sculling and sweep oared boats, achieving well deserved success in the Mens Open Coxed Fours in which a photo-finish confirmed the Aberdeen University crew’s victory over Strathclyde Univerity by the narrowest of margins.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 26th April 2004

Sinclair Success (and not the usual one)!!

Last weekend, crews from Inverness Rowing Club travelled to Aberdeen to take part in the Aberdeen Boat Club’s North East Regatta on the River Dee.
Windy conditions prevailed on the Saturday when the father and son combine of Colin and Roy Sinclair took part in the Restricted 2 Double Sculls being narrowly beaten by just half a length by an Aberdeen Boat Cub crew. Later that day the elder Sinclair had an exciting row in final of the Veteran Single sculls but just lost out by one length to Bob Newton of Aberdeen Boat Club.
Sunday weather conditions were wet but slightly less windy, when the Sinclair combination again took to the water, this time in the Generation Double Sculls. A comfortable win in the semi-final preceded a most satisfactory three lengths win in the final (young Colin’s first ever win), with both opposition crews being from Aberdeen Boat Club. Next weekend sees a large representation of Inverness oarsmen and oarswomen taking part in the popular two day Strathclyde Park Regatta at Hamilton.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 19th April 2004

Main Season Racing

The main Scottish regatta season starts this weekend when the two day North-East regatta is held on the River Dee on 17th and 18th April.
This event normally attracts a good entry with clubs from Edinburgh, Glasgow and the central belt competing for honours against the strong entries traditionally submitted by the significant memberships of the Aberdeen clubs and from Inverness Rowing Club.
The Inverness entry is somewhat smaller than last year, but nevertheless of high calibre. Current Scottish Champions Tom Baker and Brian Bell compete in Restricted 1 and Veteran Coxless Pairs with the new Sinclair combination of Colin and his father taking part in Generation and Restricted 2 Double Sculls with the elder sculler also taking part in Veteran Single Sculls.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 12th April 2004

Caberfeidh Motors SAAB INVERNESS EIGHTS AND SMALL BOATS HEAD

The results are now available HERE
Submitted by Dave Rothwell.

Caberfeidh Motors SAAB INVERNESS EIGHTS AND SMALL BOATS HEAD
SATURDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2004.

The draw has been made, and is available HERE Latest version 10.50am 13th Feb
Also some Details from Captain Roy Sinclair on parking, boating etc..
Any queries to Regatta sec - Ken Sinclair.

ABERDEEN EIGHTS HEAD - 7th February 2004.

Inverness Rowing Club were represented at the Aberdeen Eights Head on the River Dee last Saturday by two new crew formations, both using the recently acquired (but as yet unnamed) club "8".
In the first division the women's crew had first taste of the changeable conditions. They put in a spirited performance to complete the 3000m course in 12minutes 56 seconds.
In the second division, the men's crew rowed through a blustery headwind in a smooth and relaxed fashion to achieve a very respectable time of 12minutes 15seconds, a time which suggests that a win can not be far away for the newly formed line-up.
Special mention must go to stalwart Coxswain Thomas Prag who expertly steered and encouraged both crews. He was "on the water" for almost 3 hours! Highlight of his day in the cold was the ceremonial hip flask making it's way bow-ward as the snow began to fall shortly after reaching the finish line for the second time.
Both crews seemed satisfied with their placings and performances. However, they hope to build on the experience and plant to have a slightly more aggresive row this coming Saturday when Inverness Rowing Club hosts arguably Scotland's best head race.......The 4500m "Caberfeidh Motors Saab Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head"
John Mckenzie, Managing Director of event sponsor Caberfeidh Motors, said- "I'm delighted to support this growing sport which shares the same attributes as our cars - power with precision"
Spectators are welcome to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing.
The Caledonian Canal is now regularly used by Scottish International crews for training and is acknowledged by such as Peter Haining, Scotland's World Champion sculler, as the best in Scotland for rowing.
Over 90 entries have been accepted. There will be two Divisions (races) the first starting at 12:00noon and the second at 2:30pm.
The Boathouse is located two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.

Report submitted by Neil Wallace on behalf of Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 9th February 2004

Scottish Amateur Rowing Association Open Indoor Rowing Championships

Last Saturday, over 200 competitors took part in the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association Open Indoor Rowing Championships which were held at Dalziel High School in Motherwell.
Competition was keen in the wide variety of age categories and some excellent performances were recorded, particularly in the younger age groups.
Inverness Rowing Club were represented by the two Sinclair brothers from Belmaduthy with Colin taking part in the Junior 13 section and Alan, now a student at Aberdeen University and a member also of Aberdeen University Boat Club, competing in the Junior 18 section.Both athletes produced their personal best performances to date.
Colin recorded a time of 8 minutes 1.1 seconds in clinching a Bronze medal with his strong finishing burst, whilst Alan strongly pulled past the initial leader in his event to win Gold in an excellent time of 6 minutes 46.0 seconds
The club currently has both womens and mens squads in training for the forthcoming Eights Head races, the first being the Aberdeen Head on Saturday 7th February followed by the club’s own Caberfeidh Motors Saab Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head on Saturday 14th February on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 26th January 2004

Caberfeidh Motors Saab Inverness 8s and Small Boats Head - SATURDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2004

Details of this event can be downloaded on the events page now.
For the first time, we are encouraging Online Entries!

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT INVERNESS FOURS HEAD

An excellent entry of 138 crews was received for the Aberdeen Asset Management Inverness Fours Head which took place in fine dry almost windless conditions on Saturday 15th November on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. Rowed in two divisions, the first started at 12 noon with the second at 2.45pm.

• Results - Winners
  • Division 1
  • Mens Open Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Logan)---16.15
  • Mens R2 Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Nagle)---17.09
  • Mens Junior U18 Fours - Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association (Fyfe)---17.54
  • Mens Veteran Single Scull - Glasgow RC (Trenchard)---18.38
  • Mens R2 Single Scull - Glasgow RC (Stevenson)---19.17
  • Mens Novice Single Scull - Heriots (Rankin)---20.01
  • Womens R1 Fours - Edinburgh University Boat Club (Sturt)---18.22
  • Womens Veteran Fours - Inverness RC (Towrie)---19.29
  • Womens Junior U16 Fours – Heriots (Lumsden)---19.55
  • Womens Novice Fours - St Andrew Boat Club (Nichol) – 20.21
  • Womens R2 Double Sculls - Edinburgh University Boat Club (Miller)---19.11
  • Womens Open Single Sculls – Clydesdale ARC (Hinds)---19.45
  • Womens R2 Coxless Pairs – Robert Gordons University BC (Fisher)---22.41
  • Division 2
  • Mens R1 Fours - Glasgow University Boat Club (Logan)---16.27
  • Mens Veteran Fours - St Andrew Boat Club (Lowe)---16.54
  • Mens Junior U16 Fours – Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association (Fyfe)---18.06
  • Mens Novice Fours - Dundee University Boat Club (Black)---18.13
  • Mens Open Single Scull - Glasgow RC (Warnock)---17.58
  • Mens Veteran Single Scull - Glasgow RC (Trenchard)---19.04
  • Mens Novice Single Scull - Heriots (Rankin)---19.51
  • Womens R2 Fours – Edinburgh University Boat Club (Sturt)---18.26
  • Womens Open Fours - Clydesdale ARC (Kelly)---18.35
  • Womens Junior U18 Fours – Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association (Tolstyko)---19.19
  • Womens Novice Sculls - Aberdeen Boat Club (Hunter)---21.12

Results recorded by other Inverness club crews were Mens Veteran Fours (Morton) - 17.30 and Mens Veteran Single Scull (Rothwell) - 22.04

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 16th November 2003

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT INVERNESS FOURS HEAD - SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2003

Inverness Rowing Club is holding the Aberdeen Asset Management Inverness Fours Head on Saturday the 15th November on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.
The event is being held on the canal between Dochgarroch and the Boathouse near Tomnahurich Swing Bridge - a distance is of over 4500 metres. The event is very popular and has attracted a total of over 140 crews from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and many of the Scottish Universities as well as the home club and crews challenging for selection to the national squad.
This year the race is being supported by Aberdeen Asset Management, sponsor of The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race over the last three years. Aberdeen Asset Management’s Head of Sponsorship and Corporate Affairs, Douglas Connon said - "I'm delighted to support this growing sport at a local level which compliments our involvement at significantly higher levels".
Spectators are welcome to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing. The Caledonian Canal is now regularly used by Scottish International crews for training and is acknowledged by such as Peter Haining, Scotland's World Champion sculler, as the best in Scotland for rowing. There will be two Divisions (races) the first starting at 12:00noon and the second at 2:45pm.
The Boathouse is located two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.
Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 10th November 2003

The Novice Sculler's Grudge Match (Round 2) - 25th October 2003

Last Saturday, Neil "fat boy McSpanner" Wallace and Tom "the groin" Baker went head to head in single sculls over 4km on the Clyde.
The two, well known for their mutual admiration of one another, gave the mass of umpires and spectators plenty to talk about.

Wallace (who had a distinct advantage with the draw) set off like a bullet out of a gun, building up a nice lead on Baker before being warned by the umpire that he was about to hit a bridge buttress.
Gap closed, and no drama until sewage works corner, where again Wallace showed a distinct lack of navigation skills. Narrowly missing the helpful "concrete post" on the North Bank with his bow side oar, he then proceeded into a near collision with the bushes on the South Bank.
Meanwhile, "tripod" Baker was tapping along nicely, all the time eating into the 10m gap between the 2 boats. When asked how he took such a fine course around the sewage bend he replied "I just followed my nose!"
Wallace was getting desparate, he realised his (much) older and wiser adversity was getting the better of him. While pondering this, he again received a call from an umpire, this time on the steps of Glasgow rowing club "you don't want to go that way son!" 20 one handed strokes later and the bend was finished.

Baker seized the opportunity, once again taking the "tiger line". He looked set to take Wallace, but had tried to be too cute and got his commupence. He nearly capsized as his bowside oar lifted several kilograms of duck weed, 3 condoms and a shopping trolley from the North Bank.
His chance to take Wallace had gone, and with 1km to go both scullers found a rhythm taking them sailing through the J15 scullers, nicely laid on by the events commitee as a useful distraction.
An 8m gap re-established, a shout from fellow fatboy Duncan "hair care products" Alexander situated on the overhead footbridge of "come on Neil" gave Wallace the strength to sit tall and concentrate on his stroke. Enough infact to cause a series of mini-crabs and a few expletives (a technique he learned from Baker in a previous encounter). Sportingly Duncan gave similar support to arch-enemy Baker, resulting in a similar technique vacuum for "the groin".
500m to go, it is straight but a large headwind begins, where is the finish line? Lungs bursting, bladework faltering, Wallace picks it up to 28 in a valiant struggle to re-establish the starting advantage he was given..............

.............was it to be enough???????????

Sadly no.
Baker beats Wallace by a clear 2 seconds.

Tom said on hearing the result "na na na naa na"
Neil said "boo hoo!"

it's 1:1 the story continues......................

humourous, unbiased and factually misleading report submitted by yours truly, Neil Wallace, 26th October 2003

Inverness "Fat Boys" show their metal on the Clyde. - 4th October 2003

Last weekend saw another leap forward for the rapidly improving Men's Novice Crew of Inverness Rowing Club. Equipped with the new club boat "Dochfour", Ken Sinclair(stroke), Joe Wright, Neil Wallace, Duncan Alexander (bow) and Helen Wallace (Cox) travelled to Glasgow Rowing Club’s ‘Three Heads Event’ on the River Clyde last weekend.
Whilst the rest of Glasgow seemed pre-occupied with football, a new rowing event was being contested.

The racing was in the form of time trials over 3000metres which the "fat boys" (so called because they are possibly the heaviest crew in Scottish Rowing) completed no less than 3 times. In each of the 3 divisions, Inverness were the fastest crew in their category. Indeed, several more experienced crews couldn't match their performances.
Cox Helen Wallace said "Their best performance was during the 3rd piece. Into a stiffening head wind the boys managed to build on their earlier times and finish 8th fastest out of 30 crews. I thought they would have been exhausted by the end but they proved me wrong. The last 500m of the day was awesome."

The crew have trained together for 18 months, under the experienced guidance of Ian Hunter, formerly national coach for the Zimbabwe Rowing Association.

Inverness Rowing Club are actively seeking new members. If you would like to try the ultimate fitness sport on Scotland's best rowing water then why not examine the Club’s website at www.invernessrowingclub.org.uk for more information or contact the Captain, Roy Sinclair, on 01463 811747.
Report prepared by Neil Wallace and submitted by Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club ) - Monday 6th October 2003

World Masters Regatta

Inverness Rowing Club travelled to central France with ten athletes plus several supporters as part of a strong Scottish contingent for the 30th FISA World Masters Regatta held on the seven lane championship course on the spectacular River Allier in Vichy from 4th to 7th September.
Mandy Towrie and Susanne Standish-Hunter pulled off a shock win over last year’s gold medallists in the Veteran C double sculls with their winning time of 3 minutes 53.23 seconds being the fastest of all six heats making them the fastest crew out of a huge entry of 42 crews.
Mandy and Susanne had a terrific start and led the race throughout and responded to strong challenges from the Fredensborg crew from Denmark who fought hard to retain their world title.
The Inverness crew resisted all these challenges to win their Gold Medals by 2/3rds of a length to the great delight of both the Inverness and Scottish support teams. A magnificent achievement for the Inverness double scullers who earlier this season won a number of races in this event, including the Scottish Championships and Womens Henley Regatta.
Hazel Smith was the club’s other Gold Medallist winning her two medals in Veteran C Eights and Veteran B Coxless Fours and also gaining some other good second and third places all in composite crews with other Scottish club athletes.
Former Inverness member John Poland, now rowing for Dart and Totness Rowing Club, won both Veteran D and Veteran E Single Sculls and achieved a very good second place in Veteran D Double Sculls with Iain Morton from Inverness on board.
The Inverness crew of Catherine Morton, Hazel Smith, Susanne Standish-Hunter and Mandy Towrie were just beaten to the line by the winning French crew from Charleville Meziares in their Veteran C Coxed Four race. This crew in combination with other Scottish athletes just missed another gold medal by a mere 0.53 seconds in their Veteran B Eights race behind the London club UK Gold.
In their Veteran C Coxless Fours race, Catherine Morton, Ailie Ord (Clydesdale ARC), Mandy Towrie and Susanne Standish-Hunter achieved an excellent third place just one length behind the winning Czechoslovakian crew.
A number of other very good results were achieved in extremely close racing. In a composite crew with Warwick Rowing Club, Brian Bell and Tom Baker missed gold by less than one length in Veteran C Coxless Fours. They were just pipped on the line in their Veteran C Coxless Pairs race and achieved third place in the Veteran D Coxless Pairs. Joined by Iain Morton and Alastair Duff , they gained an excellent second place in the Veteran C Coxed Fours and with Ian Hunter and Roy Sinclair on board just missed out on a top three place in Veteran E Coxed Fours. Iain Morton raced in Veteran B and Veteran C Single Sculls whilst Alastair Duff raced in Veteran A and Veteran B Single Sculls, both on the pace but just out of the top three places in each of their events. Roy Sinclair combined with Ian Hunter in Veteran E and later with Iain Morton in Veteran D Coxless Pairs events in each event just missing out on top three places. In the Mixed D Eights on the Sunday, Ian Hunter and Roy Sinclair accepted an invitation to race with the Gwelph Rowing Club from Toronto in Canada and achieved a satisfactory 4th place in a most exciting race.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair ( Captain-Inverness Rowing Club ) - 14th September 2003

World Masters Championships

Ten athletes plus several supporters from Inverness Rowing Club travel as part of a strong Scottish contingent to Vichy in central France for the 30th FISA World Masters Championship Regatta being held on the seven lane championship course on the spectacular River Allier from 4th to 7th September.
The Inverness party of Catherine and Iain Morton, Ian and Susanne Hunter, Mandy Towrie, Hazel Smith, Tom Baker, Brian Bell, Alastair Duff and Roy Sinclair are competing in a full range of events which include eights, coxed fours, coxless pairs, double and single sculls as well as some mixed events on the final day of the regatta.
Some of the party have attended many of these annual regattas over the past fifteen years with considerable success and it is with great enthusiasm and dedication that this group of athletes have trained over the past few months to meet the challenge from other international athletes with high hopes of bringing home more medals from this year’s event

Report submitted by Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club ) Thursday 28th August 2003

HAWCO SPRINT 2003

An excellent entry was received for the HAWCO SPRINT 2003 which took place in calm, sunny conditions on Saturday 23rd August on the superb rowing waters of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.
Full results Here.


Prizes were presented by Mr George Hawco, Director of Event Sponsor Hawco.

Report submitted by --Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )

Hawco Sprint - The Draw.

Brian Bell has made the draw for the Hawco Sprint.
It is available as a summaried web (HTML) document HERE
Or in it's original format as an excel spreadsheet HERE
Webmasters note - if you can't open the .xls file, you can download a useful free spreadsheet viewer from Microsoft themselves. This is a neat little program which can be used on it's own. It also integrates nicely with Internet explorer. Here is the Direct link.

Report by Brian Bell

HAWCO SPRINT 2003 - pre event press release

Inverness Rowing Club is holding the HAWCO SPRINT REGATTA on Saturday the 23rd August. This year’s event is being sponsored by Hawco Inverness.
The event is being held on the Caledonian Canal over a 500 metre course close to the Boathouse. The event is very popular and attracts crews from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and many of the Scottish Universities as well as the home club. Over forty races are on the race programme which starts at 11.15am and is expected to finish at around 4.30pm.
Spectators are welcome to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing on a length of water which is acknowledged by such as Peter Haining, Scotland's World Champion sculler, as the best in Scotland for rowing. The Boathouse is located two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.
Report submitted by --Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )

Scratch Regatta 16th August 2003

Last Saturday, the club held a most successful Club Scratch Regatta over the same 500 metre course on the Caledonian Canal in which Inverness club members were selected in four crews to race against each other in matched coxed fours. Several recently joined members took part in this event and it is most encouraging that two of those new members, Carole Wells and Doreen Waterson, were part of the crew which won the A final of this event.
In the first semi-final, the crew of Sally Moore, Ken Andrews, Iain Morton and Bea Wallace(stroke) with Thomas Prag (cox) were beaten by a margin of three lengths by Doreen Waterson, Carole Wells, Neil Wallace and Tom Baker(stroke) with Dave Rothwell(cox). The second semi-final saw a most exciting race between the crew of Thomas Prag, Ian Hunter, Mary Clouston, Many Towrie(stroke) and Iain Morton(cox) who despite some steering difficulties finished about three lengths down on the crew of Angela MacKenzie, Roy Sinclair, Dave Rothwell, Janeen Collier(stroke) and Tom Baker(cox).
The B final, contested by the crews stoked by Bea Wallace and Mandy Towrie, resulted in a two and a half lengths win for the Wallace crew whilst the A final was a much closer affair with the crew stroked by Tom baker just managing to cross the finish line half a length in front of the Collier crew. Prizes for the winning crew were presented by Vice President Dave Rothwell at the post regatta barbeque.

Report submitted by --Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )

Minister for Sport visits I.R.C. - 11th Aug 2003

The Scottish Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Frank MacAveety, visited Inverness Rowing Club on 11th August and named the club’s new Sims Coxed IV - “Dochfour”.
In welcoming the Minister, I.R.C. President Paddy Walsh noted the determination of the Club to provide adequate facilities for the increasing numbers of the local community who are taking up rowing and thanked Inverness and Nairn Enterprise and Awards for All for their assistance with the purchase of the new boat.
The Minister met many of the club’s members including Alan Sinclair, who represented Scotland in the recent Home International Regatta and discussed the club’s plans for a new boat-house with architect Jessica Wolff.

Report submitted by Dick Ruane

Job Vacancies

Gael Force Ten are advertising 2 new posts. Details Here.

Hawco Sprint August 23rd 2003

Details of this event can be downloaded on the events page now.

Home International Regatta – Saturday 26th July 2003 - Cork

The weekend started off with a long bus/ferry journey on Thursday leaving from Strathclyde Country Park at 12 noon and arriving in Cork, Ireland at roughly 2 am the following morning. The long journey was followed by a Friday rest day, which consisted of a short outing on the spectacular Regatta Lake and an early night at the hotel.
The Saturday an early departure from the hotel for the team was necessary to allow for the weigh-in of the lightweight crews, 2 hours before their event.
The weather proved most forecasts wrong and was a generally sunny and sometimes very hot day with only the odd gentle shower. The wind was to be a tail wind down the course, making for very fast times.
The junior doubles race involving Inverness Rowing Club’s, Alan Sinclair and Glasgow Rowing Club’s Jonathan Stevenson, proved to be a challenging one. The experienced Nottingham Rowing Club double representing England were looking very strong after their comfortable victory in the National Championships the week before and unsurprisingly took an early lead which they held throughout the race. Both Welsh and Irish crews were also very competent and their longer time training in the boat together, showed over the Scottish double and in the middle/end part of the race they were the more composed crews. Scotland made a great effort as a fairly scratch crew never giving up, always digging and finishing strongly but missed out on a medal position.
The team moral for Scotland was very good and crews who had just finished their races were almost immediately up cheering their fellow competitors on to a team total of two victories and several good second placed finishes in very exciting and close racing.
All in all, the Scottish team produced very encouraging results making for a most satisfactory and enjoyable weekend for all concerned.

This report prepared by Alan Sinclair – Inverness Rowing Club - Tuesday 29th July 2003

National Championships - 19/20 July 2003 Official Website

Last weekend the National Championships of Great Britain were held at Strathclyde Park in Hamilton. Inverness were represented by Alan Sinclair who took part in Junior Single and Double Sculls.
In his race in the Single Scull on the Friday, Alan had a good race against stiff opposition, narrowly missing out on a semi-final place by less than one second.
With his double sculling partner Jonathan Stevenson from Glasgow Rowing Club, this composite crew qualified into the semi-final via a repechage on the Saturday. They produced a most encouraging row in Sunday’s semi-final to challenge all the way down the course but were thwarted on the line, just missing out on a third place which would have allowed passage to the final; nevertheless a fine performance from this young crew.
This crew will travel to Cork next weekend to represent Scotland in the Home Countries International. Also competing in Cork will be another Fortrose Academy former pupil, Ruth Hobson from Munlochy, who will row in the womens lightweight coxless four which won a silver medal at the National Championships last weekend. The Scottish team, led by team manager Tom Baker also from Inverness Rowing Club, leaves on Thursday for the long bus and ferry journey to Ireland.

Report submitted by --Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )

Henley Vets 12/13th July 2003

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success at the Henley Veterans Regatta last weekend on the River Thames in fine, dry and generally calm conditions in winning Veteran Double Sculls where they struck Gold and Veteran Coxless Pairs with Silver.
The Mens Veteran Coxless Pair of Tom Baker and Brian Bell had a convincing win in their semi final and led by 1/3rd of a length coming to the finish line in the final but struck the perimeter boom alongside the course and had to settle for the silver medal position – nevertheless a fine performance indeed.
The Inverness Womens crew later took the limelight with Susanne Hunter and Mandy Towrie combining in the Veteran Double Sculls to win a close fought semi final by 2/3rds of a length before taking on a much fancied experienced American double in the final in which they had a brilliant one length win for the Gold medal.
These results bring great success to the determined athletes from the Inverness club which augers well for the forthcoming World Masters Championships which take place in Vichy, France early in September.

Report submitted by --Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )

Scottish Championships - 14/15 June 2003

Inverness Rowing Club achieved success at the two day Scottish Championship Regatta at Strathclyde Park in Hamilton last weekend in fine, dry and generally calm conditions in winning six events – Mens Veteran Coxless Pairs and Veteran Single Sculls, Womens Veteran Eights, Veteran Coxed Fours, Veteran Double Sculls and Veteran Single Sculls.
On Saturday, the Mens Veteran Coxless Pair of Tom Baker and Brian Bell had a convincing win over Clydesdale ARC with the other Inverness Pair of Roy Sinclair and Iain Morton in third place. Later on Saturday the Womens Veteran Coxed Four of Catherine Morton (bow), Hazel Smith, Susanne Hunter, Mandy Towrie (stroke) and Kate Wright (cox) recording a most satisfying one length win over a George Watsons/StAndrew BC/Strathclyde Park RC composite crew. Alan Sinclair also took part in the Mens Junior 18 Single Sculls final gaining a satisafactory third place result behind Logan of George Watsons and Stevenson of Glasgow RC.
The Mens Veteran E Coxed Four of Ian Hunter (bow), Roy Sinclair, Tom Baker, Brian Bell (stroke) and Susanne Hunter (cox) had a good third place finish in their event, which was followed shortly afterwards by another good performance by the Veteran C crew of Iain Morton (bow), Alastair Duff, Tom Baker, Brian Bell (stroke) and Ruth Hobson (cox) in gaining second place. The improving Mens Novice Coxed of Neil Wallace (bow), Duncan Alexander, Ken Sinclair, Joe Wright (stroke) and Helen Wallace (cox) produced a good showing in their event but just missed out on a place in the final.
Neil Wallace and Damian Wright sculled well in their heats of Mens Novice Single Sculls with Neil qualifying for a final place in which had claimed a creditable fifth place in his first Championship sculling event. The Womens Novice Double Scull of Helen and Bea Wallace also had a satisfactory scull in their first event.
On Sunday, the Inverness Womens crews took the limelight with the Composite Veteran Eight with Catherine Morton , Hazel Smith, Susanne Hunter, Mandy Towrie combining with Geoge Watsons/St Andrew/Strathclyde Park in recording a most satisfying four lengths win over Aberdeen BC. Hunter and Towrie then combined in the Veteran Double Sculls to produce a fine three lengths win over a George Watsons/St Andrew BC crew. Both Susanne Hunter and Alastair Duff achieved success in winning their respective Veteran Single Sculling events.
The Inverness Womens Novice Coxed Four of Helen Wallace (bow), Angela Mackenzie, Bea Wallace, Chris Mackintosh (stroke), Rachel Falla (cox) produced fine performances in both their races with third places in both their semi-final and final.
Other Inverness Mens crews also shone on Sunday although just missing out on the top places. The Veteran Eight of Roy Sinclair (bow), Alastair Duff, Dave Rothwell, Ian Hunter, Brian Bell, Tom Baker, Bob Newton (Aberdeen BC), Iain Morton, (stroke), Sussane Hunter (cox) had an extremely close and exciting race with crews from Clydesdale ARC, St Andrew BC and Glasgow RC but just missed out on a medal placing. Dave Rothwell/ Alastair Duff and Iain Morton/ Roy Sinclair sculled well in their Veteran Double Sculls event achieving third and second places respectively whilst Iain Morton and Roy Sinclair sculled well but without medal success in their respective Veteran C and F Single Sculling events. The Mens Novice Double Scull of Neil Wallace and Ken Sinclair also achieved a fine second place in their first competitive event.
In the Scottish Schools Single Sculls event, Alan Sinclair (Fortrose Academy), in the very last event of the Championships, achieved a most satisfactory third place behind Logan (George Watsons) and Middleton (St Josephs College) just missing out on second place after an oustanding finishing burst to close up four lengths on his opposition over the final 250 metres of the 2000 metre course.

Report submitted by --Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )

Castle Semple regatta

This Saturday 31st May, crews from Inverness Rowing Club make the long journey to Renfrewshire to take part in the Castle Semple RC regatta on the 1000 metre straight buoyed course on Castle Semple Loch at Lochwinnoch.
Both mens and womens crews will take part in a full range of sculling and rowing events in the penultimate regatta before the Scottish Championships which take place two weeks later at Strathclyde Park in Hamilton.

Report submitted by:- Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club ) - 25th May 2003

Loch Laggan Weekend 2003

Last weekend saw a squad of keen Inverness oarspersons taking part in a training weekend on the spectacular waters of Loch Laggan in ‘Monarch of the Glen’ country. Saturday saw the members out in variable wind and water conditions in four separate sessions under the critical eyes of coaches Ian Hunter and Peter Cook, whilst the sessions on Sunday were unfortunately curtailed in the afternoon due to the onset of extremely wet and windy weather. A most worthwhile camp was enjoyed by all who took part.

This Saturday, crews from Inverness Rowing Club travel to Glasgow to take part in the Clydesdale ARC regatta on the River Clyde at Glasgow Green. Alastair Duff is entered in Mens Restricted 2 and Veteran B Single Sculls whilst father and son Roy and Colin Sinclair enter in the Generation Double Sculls with the ‘old man’ also taking part in Veteran F Single Sculls.
Also on Saturday, Alan Sinclair is involved in Squad Training at Strathclyde Park with the Scottish Junior squad in preparation for selection for the Home Countries International to be held this coming July in Cork, Southern Ireland.

Report submitted by:- Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club ) - 5th May 2003

GLASGOW SMALL BOATS HEAD – 22ND MARCH 2003

Crews from Inverness Rowing Club travelled to take part in the Glasgow Rowing Club’s Small Boats Head on the River Clyde on Saturday 22nd March.
Brian Bell and Tom Baker had a comprehensive win in the Mens Veteran Coxless Pairs beating their nearest opponents a much younger St Andrew Boat Club crew by a full minute with a time of 22 minutes 22 seconds and in doing so finished in fourth place overall, the higher placed crews also being of Open and younger categories.
Taking part in Mens R2 Single Sculls, Alistair Duff produced a fine performance to claim second place in this category with a time of 23 minutes 36 seconds.
Dave Rothwell and Alan MacDiarmid sculled well in the Mens Veteran Double Sculls and recorded a creditable time of 25 minutes 48 seconds over the twisty Clyde course.

On Sunday morning, Alan Sinclair travelled to Strathclyde Park to take part in the Scottish Junior time trial in which he recorded some of his best times to date over the 2000 metre international course which should see him being invited to take part in the next series of trials for selection of the Scottish Junior team for the forthcoming Home International regatta in Cork, Ireland

The Inverness Mens Novice squad had their final water based training outings on the Caledonian Canal at the weekend in preparation for the Tideway Head of the River Race on the River Thames in London on Saturday 29th March.
The Inverness crew lines up as follows:- Damian Ward (bow), Alex Townshend (2), Duncan Alexander (3), Richard Caddis (4), Joe Wright (5), Stuart Smith (6), Ken Sinclair (7), Neil Wallace (stroke), Helen Wallace (cox)

Report by Roy R Sinclair - Captain : Inverness Rowing Club

ABERDEEN EIGHTS HEAD - 1ST MARCH 2003

Inverness Rowing Club were represented at the Aberdeen Eights Head on the River Dee last Saturday by Mens and Womens Novice crews in Divisions 1 and 2 respectively at this event, which was rowed in fine dry, sunny conditions.
Fast times were recorded by the most successful club of the day, Aberdeen University Boat Club who won four events; the Mens Open and Restricted 2 Eights while their Womens team were successful in both their Open and Restricted 2 events, in which former Scottish Junior Internationalist, Ruth Hobson from Munlochy rowed in both crews.
The Inverness Mens Novice crew recorded a positive performance in a time of 12 minutes 8 seconds, some 28 seconds behind Dundee University Boat Club who won this event category. The Inverness Womens Novice crew performed very well with their new line-up and despite a collision with another boat whilst shooting one of the arches of the many bridges on the course, recovered well to record a satisfactory time of 15 minutes.
The Inverness Mens Novice squad now continue with their training schedule in preparation for the Tideway Head of the River Race on the River Thames in London on Saturday 29th March.

Report by Roy R Sinclair - Captain : Inverness Rowing Club

ABERDEEN EIGHTS HEAD - Saturday 1st March 2003

Inverness Rowing Club is taking part in the Aberdeen Eights Head on the River Dee on Saturday the 1st March.
The Inverness Mens and Womens Novice Eights which took part in the recent Caberfeidh Motors Saab event in Inverness will take to the waters of the river Dee, the men in Division 1 and the women in Division 2 with the aim of improving on their recent positive performances.

• The crew line-ups are as follows
  • Men:
  • Damian Ward (bow)
  • Alex Townshend
  • Duncan Alexander
  • Ken Andrews
  • Joe Wright
  • Stuart Smith
  • Alan Sinclair
  • Neil Wallace (stroke)
  • Mandy Towrie (cox)
  • Women:
  • Christelle Tuin (bow)
  • Sharon Mackenzie
  • Ita Hughes
  • Helen Wallace
  • Angela Mackenzie
  • Bea Wallace
  • Mary Clouston
  • Chris MacKintosh (stroke)
  • Mandy Towrie (cox)

Also taking part in both divisions will be the Inverness Veteran Coxless Pair of Brian Bell and Tom Baker
Last Sunday's Scottish Junior Time Trial at Strathclyde Park at which Inverness junior sculler Alan Sinclair was due to have taken part was postponed at the last minute due to icing conditions at the park.

Press release 24.02.2003 by Roy R Sinclair - Captain : Inverness Rowing Club

Fast times in Inverness races

Caberfeidh Motors SAAB Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head - Saturday 15th February 2003

Saturday’s Caberfeidh Motors Saab Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head fulfilled all expectations by producing close racing in most classes – especially among the small boats trialling for selection to represent Scotland at this year’s Home International Regatta in Cork in southern Ireland.
The fastest men’s eight of the day came from Aberdeen University Boat Club, covering the course in 15 minutes 5 seconds. The Aberdeen Boat Club/Castle Semple Rowing Club composite provided the fastest women’s crew of the day, finishing in 17 minutes 18 seconds whilst other Scottish cities represented among winners in the eights included Glasgow Rowing Club (men’s veteran) who produced the fastest time in Division 2 with an adjusted time of 15 minutes 15 seconds.
Fastest womens crew in the Open Coxless Pairs trial was George Watson’s in a time of 19 minutes 17 seconds
In the mens Double Sculling trial, Castle Semple Rowing Club won in a time of 16 minutes 46 seconds with Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club 21 seconds behind.
Glasgow Rowing Club’s sculler Warnock won the men’s Single Sculling trial in 18 minutes 5 seconds from clubmate’s Thompson (18:54) and Graveling (19:12).
A fresh tailwind and perfect overhead conditions made for fast times overall, with lightweights in particular benefiting from the conditions.
Inverness Rowing Club crews achieved success in winning several of the sculling events with Iain Morton (Veteran C Single Sculls – 19:13); Alastair Duff (Veteran B Single Sculls – 20:21); Alan Sinclair (Junior 18 Single Sculls - 21.01) and Dave Rothwell/Alan McDiarmid (Veteran B Double Sculls – 20:09)
Both Inverness Rowing Club’s mens and womens Novice Eights produced competitive performances although just off the pace to win their events, whilst the Inverness womens Veteran C Double Scull of Mandy Towrie and Suzanne Hunter were 18 seconds behind winners St Andrew Boat Club in this event.
Winning results are HERE
Full results are HERE

Report by Roy R Sinclair - Captain : Inverness Rowing Club

INVERNESS ROWING CLUB - Press Release 10.2.2003

Caberfeidh Motors SAAB INVERNESS EIGHTS AND SMALL BOATS HEAD - SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2003
SCOTTISH SENIOR ROWING TRIALS TO BE HELD IN INVERNESS
Inverness Rowing Club is holding the Caberfeidh Motors Saab Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head on Saturday the 15th February which will incorporate the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association’s national senior trials at the event.
The Inverness Club’s captain, Roy Sinclair said - "the decision by S.A.R.A. to hold their senior trial on our stretch of water reflects the growing awareness among the national rowing community of the excellence of the Caledonian Canal as a tide free and sheltered venue for important rowing events."
The event is being held on the canal between Dochgarroch and the Boathouse near Tomnahurich Swing Bridge - a distance is of over 4500 metres.
The event is very popular and attracts crews from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and many of the Scottish Universities as well as the home club and crews challenging for selection to the national squad.
This year the race is being supported by Caberfeidh Motors, Saab distributor for the Highlands. John Mckenzie, Caberfeidh's Managing Director, said- "I'm delighted to support this growing sport which shares the same attributes as our cars - power with precision"
Spectators are welcome to come and witness the tremendous spectacle of top Scottish crews racing.
The Caledonian Canal is now regularly used by Scottish International crews for training and is acknowledged by such as Peter Haining, Scotland's World Champion sculler, as the best in Scotland for rowing.
There will be two Divisions (races) the first starting at 12:00noon and the second at 2:30pm.
The Boathouse is located two hundred metres beyond the Jacobite Cruises Office on the Torvean golf course side of the canal.

Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships 26 Jan 2003

A most successful Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships took place last Sunday 26th January at the David Lloyd Club in Renfrew with well over 240 competitors taking part using Concept II ergometer rowing machines.
Inverness Rowing Club achieved medal success in two events with Joe Wright recording an impressive time of 6 minutes 42.3 seconds to lift the silver medal in the 2000 metre Mens Veteran B event whilst Colin Sinclair, taking part in his first competition, won bronze in the 1000 metre Mens Junior 12 event with a time of 4 minutes 16.9 seconds in a most exciting race in which he steadily overtook his nearest opponent to clinch his first medal. Colin's elder brother Alan also performed well recording a personal best time of 7 minutes 10.6 seconds in the 2000 metre Mens Junior 18 event narrowly missing third place in his race by one tenth of a second.
The Club now looks forward to the Caberfeidh Motors Saab Inverness Eights and Small Boats Head in just over two weeks time when the waters of the Caledonian Canal are expected to be a busy place on Saturday 15th February with this event which will include rowers challenging for Senior team positions in the Scottish Rowing teams at this season's international regattas.

Report by Roy R Sinclair - Captain : Inverness Rowing Club

Nutrition Advice ONLINE

Click HERE for Ian Hunter's advice on nutrition. Newly added to coaching section.

Westminster Healthcare Inverness Fours Head 9/11/02

The results from this very well attended event can be found HERE
thanks to Dave Rothwell

Westminster Healthcare Inverness Fours Head

Brian Bell has made the draw for this event to be held on Saturday 9/11/02. It is available HERE
Report by Brian Bell/Roy Sinclair

AGM PRESS RELEASE - Monday 21st October 2002

Inverness Rowing Club held it's Annual General Meeting in the Loch Ness House Hotel, Inverness on Thursday 17th October.
At this meeting, Club President Paddy Walsh presented Honorary Member Allan Garraway with a commemorative inscribed Quaich to mark his outstanding contributions to the Club and to rowing in the North over a period of 12 years.
The Southwell Stevenson Sculling Trophy (for most improved sculler) was also presented at the meeting to single sculler Alan J Sinclair.

• Elected as office bearers for the coming year were the following members:-
• John Stevenson (Hon President)
• Paddy Walsh (President)
• Dave Rothwell (Vice President)
• Alastair Duff (Hon Secretary)
• Eric Wiseman (Hon Treasurer)
• Roy Sinclair (Captain)
• Dick Ruane
• Hazel Smith
• Mandy Towrie
• Ken Sinclair

Ten members of the Club travelled to Loch Faskally last weekend to take part in a coaching/training weekend in preparation for the forthcoming winter series of Head of The River Races which start on Saturday 9th November with the Inverness Fours Head on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.
Report submitted by:- Roy R Sinclair (Captain-Inverness Rowing Club)

COACHING DEVELOPMENT 24/9/2002

Under the leadership of Mandy Towrie and Susanne Hunter and with financial help from Gael Force Ten, we shall be running a series of Coaching Courses which will be open to all members of the Club. These will range from the Basic Instructors Course, through the Rowing Instructors Course to the S.A.R.A./A.R.A. Bronze level course.
Participants do not have to be brilliant or experienced rowers to join the courses and the more people we have with coaching knowledge the better the overall standard and the better we will be able to help new members. If you want to join or just know more have a chat to Mandy or Susanne. Although rowing is not one of Gael Force Ten's core sports we have had great encouragement from Alan Hoseason, GFT's Coaching Development Officer and the funding support will greatly assist the delivery of the programmes.
Alan said - " Gael Force Ten are delighted to be able to support the development of coaching within rowing. Thanks to increased investment into the development of Coaching Networks by sportscotland (following the Scottish Executive's Comprehensive Spending Review), GFT has been able to assist coach development outwith our core sports. This is an exciting time for coaching in the Highlands with the Highland Coaching Strategy about to be launched. This will lead to new areas of development such as Coach Mentoring, Coach Resource Centres, a Coaching Audit and the establishment of a Highland Coaches Forum longer term. I wish Inverness Rowing Club well with their plans and look forward to working with you to assist in developing a junior section for your club following our Coach Scholarship support.
Report by Dick Ruane

North Scullers Double Double 23/9/2002

The oldest and the youngest members of Inverness Rowing Club's Sculling Squad pulled off a remarkable double at last Saturday's Aberdeen Sprint Regatta on the River Dee.
Having won the Veteran Single Sculls and the Under 18 Single Sculls, Dick Ruane (60, from Nairn) and Alan Sinclair (16, from Munlochy) then got together to win the Double Sculls event in a borrowed boat.
Dick Ruane said after the race "We had a very comfortable race and I am very grateful to Alan for pulling me along when I got a bit tired !"

Other events in which crews from Inverness Rowing Club rowed were the Novice Coxed Fours, Restricted Coxed Fours, Veteran Double Sculls and Novice Single Sculls. Close racing against strong crews from Strathclyde Park RC and Aberdeen BC did not result in any more medals for Inverness but Alan Sinclair came within inches of making it a treble when he was narrowly beaten in the final of the Novice Single Sculls.

Report submitted by:- Roy R Sinclair (Captain-Inverness Rowing Club)

Inverness Strike Gold at World Masters Championships (press release 17/9/2002)

At the World Masters Rowing Championships held recently at Prague in Czechoslovakia, Inverness Rowing Club’s Hazel Smith recorded a magificent achievement in winning Gold medals in three separate events. Teaming up with members from various other Scottish and English clubs, she won her medals in the Womens Veteran C Eights, the Womens Veteran A Coxed Fours and the Womens Veteran B Coxless Fours in events against strong internatonal competition from Europe and beyond. Events took place on the International Championship course at Racice near Prague in near perfect conditions although the heat was an unaccoustomed handicap for the Scottish contingent.
This Saturday 21st September sees a strong contingent of Veteran and Junior oarsmen and scullers from Inverness RC travelling to take part in the Aberdeen Sprint Regatta on the River Dee in Aberdeen.
Report by Roy Sinclair (Hazel's own words directly below)

Hazel at the World Masters in Racice, Czech Rep 5-8 September 2002

The wins were as follows - Friday WC8 with a composite from Clydesdale, St Andrew, Sons of Thames, and others. The Scottish contingent providing the power in the middle of the boat! This got the weekend off to a good start as this was won by 0830am! the next race that was wo was the WA+ with Clydesdale, ans St Andrews. The pair was directly after the 8s race and neither jannine and i felt able to give it our all. We knew that in order to win the event we needed to lead from the start, which we didnt manage to do - despite having had blistering starts in practice and at Inverness. Instead we took the decosion to save ourselves for the A4+ a decision that we felt paid off. although on different days the time for the coxed 4 is only slightly slower (0.21s) than that of the coxless on the Saturday indicating the speed and power of the crew. The last race on friday was the 4x, but I'd rather not comment on that!
Friday saw us taking the B4- in an extremely tight race in which we won by a little over 1 second, I think. From the times on the FISA results, we were in second at 500m and came through to win on the line. It was pretty tough!
The WB8 was also a superb race, although an extremely tidy German composite led from the start, we had an exciting toustle with a determeine crew from Leipzig (if thats how its spelled) for second place. The dresden crew that we were all fearing came to nothing!
Overall a superb regatta, in near perfect rowing conditions although the heat was an unaccustomed handicap for the scottish contingent!

Report by Hazel Smith

Sports relief row by Inverness Rowing Club on 13/7/02 - the results in perspective

For the sad people who like the ergo - the "golden mile" results are now up on the Concept ii website HERE
Highlights are.........

• Duncan Alexander(5.43.5) came in at 82nd place out of 276. Fastest time in his division 4.41.7
• Neil Wallace(5.29.1) came in at 28th place out of 165. Fastest time in his division 5.02.0
• Ken Sinclair(5.27.2) came in at 10th place out of 122. Fastest time in his division 4.59.9

Not a bad result and about a few hundred quid to charity

Report by Ken Sinclair

Morrison Sprint Results 31/8/2002

The results of this event are available HERE
Report by Roy Sinclair

Morrison Sprint Draw

Brian Bell has made the draw for the Morrison Sprint to be held on Saturday 31/8/02. It is available HERE
Report by Brian Bell/Roy Sinclair

Rowing Machine 12/8/2002

The Club has aquired a used Concept 2 Model C. Read Ian Hunter's advice on how to use it HERE

Report submitted by webmaster

Club meeting

August 20th 7.30pm General Meeting (Venue Loch Ness House Hotel -opposite Torvean Golf Club)

IRC purchases "Holy Smokes" 1/8/2002

The Club has bought "Holy Smokes" from Tom Baker. A welcome addition to the fleet. Currently a "bow rigged" Coxless Pair, steered by the strokeside bowman (if you follow me....)
Report submitted by Neil Wallace

IRC in the press 25/7/2002

Inverness Rowing Club members and Sir Steve Redgrave in the Highland News today.
Report submitted by Neil Wallace

Ruth Hobson into Scottish Team - Wednesday 24th July 2002

Inverness Rowing Club member Ruth Hobson gains her Scottish team colours this weekend as part of the Scottish Junior team competing in the Home International Regatta on Saturday at Strathclyde Park,near Hamilton.
Strong teams of Junior and Senior athletes from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland compete in this annual competition in Eights, Fours, Coxless Pairs, Quadruple Sculls, Double Sculls and Single.
Sculls. Ruth, who has been competing with her colleagues from Aberdeen University in regattas this season, has been selected to take part in two events, the Eights and Coxed Fours
Report submitted by --Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )

NO MEDALS AT HENLEY VETS. 13/7/02

After their massive medal haul at the Scottish Championships (see below) the "old men" went to the Henley Veterans Regatta full of enthusiasm but found that international competition is tough. Thanks to the encouragment of Coaching Team Hunter, Tom Baker and Brain Bell (MVC2-), Iain Morton(MVC1x) and Dick Ruane(MVF1x) all did personal bests but fell to some serious oarsmen from America, Germany and England. Ex Inverness stalwart John Poland(MVE1x) reached his final but was beaten by a large gentleman from Pagosa, U.S.A. Compensation was found in a re-acquaintance with the wonderful Henley atmosphere and Mr Brakespeare's fine product.

report by Dick Ruane.

INVERNESS STRONG MEN PULL FOR "SPORT RELIEF" 13/7/02

Ken Sinclair, Duncan Alexander and Neil Wallace raced their ergo's to great GOLDEN MILE times (5.27, 5.43 and 5.29 respectively) and raised nearly £500 for the national campaign. Sponsors please send Neil and Ken your cash!

report by Dick Ruane

Scottish Championships June 2002

Last weekend, Inverness Rowing Club achieved outstanding success at the Scottish Rowing Championships at the National Rowing Centre at Strathclyde Park in winning Gold medals in five separate events over the two day regatta.
On the Saturday, current Scottish Champions Brian Bell and Tom Baker produced their best form in defeating rivals St Andrew Boat Club by three lengths in the final of the Mens Veteran C Coxless Pairs event. Shortly afterwards they combined with Iain Morton , James McLardy and Suzanne Hunter (cox) to lift a second Gold medal in the Mens Veteran C Coxed Fours event where they recorded a two length win over another crew from St Andrew Boat Club.
Other Inverness crews performed well in later events on the Saturday with Iain Morton and Roy Sinclair combining well in third place in the final of the Mens Veteran D Coxless Pairs and Alan Sinclair who just missed out on a medal by three seconds in the Schoolboys Under 16 Single Sculls.
On Sunday, both Iain Morton and Alastair Duff had resounding wins in their respective finals of Mens Veteran C and B Single Sculls, Morton producing one of the most exciting finishes of the championships in winning his race from Ken Brown of Glasgow Rowing Club. Dick Ruane, James McLardy and Roy Sinclair took part in the Mens Veteran D to G Single Sculls, Ruane finishing a close second behind Internationist Willie Brown (Stirling Rowing Club) with McLardy in third place.
Ruane later had a highly exciting race in Mens Veteran D to F Double Sculls in company with Roy Sinclair when despite the choppy conditions came a close second behind the winning crew from Glasgow Rowing Club. The other, younger Veteran B Double Scullers Duff and McLardy however achieved a convincing three lengths win over fancied opponents Munro and Diamond from Clydesdale Rowing Club. Alan Sinclair raced in Mens Junior Quadruple Sculls in a George Watsons /Inverness composite crew finishing second behind another Watsons crew and later narrowly missed third place in the Mens Junior Under 16 Single Sculls.
Another Inverness club member Ruth Hobson from Munlochy also won three Gold Medals as a member of Aberdeen University Boat Club's successful Womens Intermediate 2 Eights, Womens Novice Eights and Womens Novice Coxed Fours.
The Inverness Womens Novice Coxed Four of Ann-Marie Bexley, Angela MacKenzie, Nicola Forbes, Sharon MacKenzie (stroke) and Kimberley le Brocq (cox) performed very well in their first regatta and will undoubtedly gain from this significant experience in future competitions.

From press release by Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )

UK National Veteran Rowing Championships (June 2002)

At the UK National Veteran Rowing Championships held last weekend in windy conditions at Nottingham, Inverness Rowing Club's Tom Baker and Brian Bell won Gold Medals in the Veteran C Coxless Pairs beating City of Oxford Rowing Club by one and a half lengths in a six boat final, a magnificent achievement.
After an impressive win in their heat, the Inverness pair shot into the lead after a good start in the final, consolidating their lead at 250 metres when they moved to two lengths ahead of Nottingham and Union RC. City of Oxford RC took up the challenge from halfway but Baker and Bell held off this challenge at 750 metres and maintained their winning lead to the finishing line.
Former Inverness RC sculler John Poland (now living in Wales) also achieved success at Nottingham in Veteran E Single Sculls to lift a Silver Medal in second place in the final of his event.

Report submitted by--Roy R Sinclair ( Captain--Inverness Rowing Club )