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NEWPORT REGATTA: 21ST JULY, 2012.
Newport Rowing Club hold a very successful regatta each year, which forms part of the Hants & Dorset ARA summer series.
The event is based at the Newport R.C premises, with visiting clubs boating from the Riverside park and picnic area adjacent. Our regatta course provides three racing lanes, and covers a distance of 1550 metres, starting near the new Vestas facility opposite Island Harbour, with the finish line directly in front of our clubhouse. In terms of coastal rowing regattas the Newport course is unique due to the absence of buoy turns at the halfway point.
Crews row to the start area via a transit lane on the eastern bank of the Medina, and will then engage with a stake boat ready for their race start. Each lane has its own stake boat, and these are small open dinghies manned by a crew of one or two. The stake boat crew will hold on to the stern of the racing boat in their lane until the officials start the event. This system makes for very fair racing, as no crew is able to jump the start and get "a flyer".
With a maximum of four and a half hours (due to tidal constraints) in which to complete the regatta, and up to 40 heats and finals to run, we are usually working around a schedule of approximately six minutes between races. This means there is always something happening from a spectators point of view, and a full commentary via the PA system keeps you up to date.
All of the Hants & Dorset affilliated clubs attend the regatta, which means crews from as far afield as Poole, Southampton and Southsea, as well as the three island clubs can be seen in rowing action.
Newport Regatta is made possible thanks to the time and efforts of many people, including the H & D race officials, Ryde R.C who provide a safety launch. The Medina Combined Clubs who provide additional safety cover and umpires launches, the generous event sponsors, the members who man the food and refreshments stall, and of course all of the clubs and crews who compete. Additionally, we are indebted to the Isle of Wight Council who allow Newport to use the Riverside Park facility.
In an Olympic year when British rowing is likely to hit the headlines, come down to Newport Rowing Club on Saturday 21st July, 2012 and you might just see a future gold medallist in action!!
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