Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club: Maidstone Spring Small Boats Head

MIRC put out no less than 30 crews at our local Spring Head on March 11. We were gifted with some benign Spring-like weather, and opponents from all over the South-East joined us in some stiff and enjoyable competition.

In total, we won 9 events: 4 for the Juniors, 3 for the Masters and 2 for the Seniors.

Our Masters B4x+ of James Knight, Richard Ridgway, Lewin Hynes and Mark Tompkins, coxed by Lois Birrell, blasted their way down the course to win the Masters B/C/D event and Penant for the fastest boat in a very fast time of 8.27.

Masters B 4x+... timing!!

The juniors also put up an extraordinarily strong performance with the J164+ of R Porter, J Grace, A Collins and J Harris, coxed by I Terry in an impressive 9.11.

Also, A Collins won the J17 1x in a fast time of 9.57.

A popular Masters win came in the form of the BBQ crew, who taking time out from their duties with the burgers, won the ME/F4+ event in 10.02. They were Alan Leeson, Bert Deters, Tom Fuller and Alan Rickwood, coxed by the irrepressable Tui Thain.

The BBQs mid race! Note the special resting technique employed.

Tom Fuller and Rachel Rickwood on duty at the food stall.

S Marlow from the seniors won the Novice 1x just two seconds behind the Masters 4+ in 10.03.

There was another terrific result for the Juniors - this time the girls when the J164x+ of B. Arscott, A Gordon-Reid, L Maunsell and L Gilchrist, coxed by C Gilchrist, and rowing in the J18 event won with the fast time of 10.17.

L Gilchrist and L Maunsell went on to win the WJ16 2x in 10.44

Maunsell and Gilchrist on the way to their win.

Ray Phillips in his MIRC debut won the Masters D/E/F 1x in 10.48.

Finally, another popular victory was that of C Devereaux and J Whyman in the ladies N2x. This was their first ever win, and J Whyman's first race! Their time was 11.08.

There was some excellent organisation on the day: a big thank-you goes to all who helped make it a success.

Sue Marden keeping the landing stage ship-shape!

Finally, a special mention for the Demon Double in Green, who managed to take out no less than 4 other crews in their race. Here we see them just after driving the Kings School Canterbury girls into the bank, and eyeing up Sara and Teri as their next target.