Eskmuthe Regatta 20 Sep 2025
Following the postponement of the original Eskmuthe Regatta and despite dubious weather warnings, Alnmouth Community Rowing (ACR) Racing Squad arrived in good spirits for a day’s competition and making or catching up with old friends. ACR were able to field a crew in 9 of the 11 races against the 7 other attending Clubs, but given our availability this would have included several athletes having to race in back-to-back races. Fortuitously, the Eskmuthe course is somewhat shorter than other Regattas with the turn being about 400m from the start / finish line.
As usual Enflaeda looked thoroughly resplendent against the other Skiffs, but due to the muscularity of a number of Stroke rowers in training, the racing stroke oar (yellow) is currently in a number of pieces….damn! those fitness sessions have started to pay off! Red oars were in use.
First race of the day was the Novice mixed crew, ably and generously supported by Jennifer at 2 from Eskmuthe with Simon at Bow, Emily at 3 and Andy at Stroke. It was great to see they warmed up first, but with not many hours experience in a Skiff, on the sea, or even together there was an understandable amount of nervous tension on the start line. Ably guided by Dave at Cox, they gave a credible mid table performance, with a lot of experience gained and some genuine smiles at the finish.
Next up was Old Duffers Crew the mixed 240+ crew…and Alnmouth are the current reigning Champions (actually ¾ of the crew were the same as last year….no pressure on the new crew member!!). Ade at Bow, Rhoda at 2, Lara at 3 and Dave at stroke with Dave (A) debut coxing and bring his years of Naval experience to the fore. The Crew made a great start and though sheer hard work and fantastic team work never really looked back. At the turn the crew were first with only great rivals Eastern being in any position to challenge for the lead, but through what was starting to become rather “choppy” sea conditions the Crew managed to pull ahead further, a full 11 sec ahead of Eastern.
Celebrations were short lived as the wind was staring to pick up so a quick turnaround was required for the Mens Open Pursuit. Ade, Simon, Andy and Dave A, coxed by Gil made a gallant effort but the choppiness and general Sea conditions made effective rowing difficult especially balanced against a lack of experience of these conditions. By the turn it was clear that rowing experience in these conditions was going to be the major plus point for this race and it is credit to Andy and Simon (with only a handful of sessions on the Sea between them) that they maintained composure throughout.
The Enflaeda pit stop / crew change timings were getting very slick and the Ladies Open Pursuit were soon on the Sea. Rachel A, Rachel B, Emily and Jen, coxed by Rhoda all had a steely look in their eyes, however, fate and the weather were to play a cruel hand. In increasingly difficult conditions staying in your lane on the start line was a challenge, a small yacht that was intersecting part of the course developed a fault and was required to be towed back into Fisherrow Harbour. This recovery was achieved surprisingly promptly, but during the intervening time the environmental conditions were pushing all the Skiffs towards Edinburgh. By the time the Skiffs had repositioned close to where they should have been on the start line, the wind and Sea conditions were deemed not to be safe and the Regatta was unfortunately abandoned. Dejection, but an agreement that the conditions were “sporty” at best or simply not safe…the correct decision was made.
Thereafter, the medal ceremony was eagerly awaited for the Old Duffers…er…..mixed 240+ crew. Local sea shells painted in respective Gold / Silver and Bronze was an environmental and local touch that was appreciated. With cancellation of the Regatta, a few humorous observations “I was loitering outside the public lavatories until you got here”, “I have my lucky pulling pants on……oh….I meant racing pants” and “when you see a green Gazebo you think is yours on the beach don’t just go striding in with a confidently loud ‘morning Team!’ only for everyone in Newhaven’s Green Gazebo to stare at you”.
Eskmuthe Regatta, whilst short was brilliantly planned, extended a very warm welcome to all attendees and provided some of the more inexperienced crews (and Cox) of valuable experience. Special mention to Chris (Emily’s partner), who happily held the Northumberland flag behind each race lane marker – thereby assisting the Coxes to stay within our prescribed lane – an important but thankless task…certainly in the increasing wind!