A small but competitive contingent from the club attended Worthing and Bexhill regattas last weekend.
Due to illness the senior ladies crew was not complete and it was up to Hannah and Paula to represent the club.
In Worthing on Saturday, the two competed in the ladies senior pair race. With both of them normally rowing bow side, Hannah had swapped sides to stroke position. The duo got off to a good start and despite the rather lively sea and it only being the second time rowing together in a pair, they confidently rowed to the turns. Past the turns they slowly but surely crept up to Shoreham who were in third position. A final push from 1500 meters brought them well past Shoreham to finish third.
Next up was the ladies double sculls race. The sea by now had become quite choppy, but this was no bother to the ladies who stormed to a superb victory well ahead of Herne Bay (2nd) and Dover (3rd).
On Sunday, although only light winds had been forecasted, Bexhill regatta got off in all but flat seas. Conditions got worse as the day progressed and crews rowing above their status had been advised to withdraw. With more and more sailing boats appearing, Hannah and Paula took to the water for the ladies senior pair race. Despite a messy start and having drawn the outside water, the two managed to get to the front of the field before the turns. Thanks to a controlled stroke rate and clever navigating the duo flattened out the waves and found themselves in the lead from the turns. From there it was a home run. Skillfully making the most of the surf, they finished first ahead of Bexhill (2nd).
Finally the two teamed up with Lesley and Lauren of Eastbourne Rowing Club to compete in the ladies senior four race. The scratch crew soon found its rhythm and powered past other competitors to finish in a creditable third place behind Worthing (2nd) and Bexhill (1st).