Scottish Rowing Spring Regatta 2023

The Scottish Rowing Spring Regatta took place at Strathclyde Park, Motherwell on the 22nd & 23rd April 2023. With the club’s senior athletes either participating at GB trials, or cramming for upcoming exams, it was left to the J14 & J15 crews to represent ASRA. A total of 20 athletes, consisting of 13 boys and 7 girls headed south for their first multi lane racing of the season.

On the Saturday morning, a brisk cross wind created what could only be described as challenging conditions. This proved too much for the W Nov 2x of Anna Taylor and Grace Watt, who capsized in their first race of the day. Undeterred, the girls dried themselves down and joined up with Jennifer Ellis and Katherine Taylor to compete in the W Nov 4x+ where they made it into the B Final. The W J14 2x of Sabina Bird and Mackenzie Park came 4th in their final before combining with Jennifer Ellis and Katherine Taylor to put in a spirited performance in the W J14 4x+.

With the wind increasing by the minute, the O J14 singles of Iain Petty, Luke McMorris, Luke Renwick, and Gavin Pedrog took to the water for their time trial. Iain P and Luke M dealt admirably with the conditions to set the two fastest times in a large field of 17 scullers. Iain then went on to take a well deserved gold in the A Final, with Luke following closely behind for silver. The O J15 singles of John Forbes, Rory Trythall, Hugo Lefort, Finlay Morrision and Nicholas Davies found the conditions trickier, with only Rory making it to the A Final, before having to pull out due to injury.

Sunday morning brought slightly calmer water, however the conditions remained difficult throughout the day. First up was the OJ 15 4x+ of John Forbes, Finlay Morrison, Rory Trythall and Nicholas Davies, who could not quite keep pace with an excellent crew from George Watsons to finish a good 2nd. The boys then formed doubles to race in OJ 15 2x. Joined by another ASRA double of Hugo Lefort and Logan Kinch, the boys placed 3rd, 5th, and 7th.

Next to race were the O J14 2x combinations of Iain Petty & Luke Renwick, Gavin Pedrog & Luke McMorris, Peter Temple & Sandy Bain, Cara Freeman & Harris Parke. In an extremely close final, Ian & Luke R picked up silver, with Gavin & Luke M taking Bronze. These crews then combined to form two OJ 14 coxed quads. The combination of Iain P, Luke R, Gavin P & Luke M topped off a successful weekend by finishing with a silver medal in the eight boat final.

In the absence of the more senior athletes, the youngsters represented ASRA brilliantly both on and off the water. In a weekend which saw difficult conditions, and a record number of capsizes, the kids showed great resilience and character, which will surely hold them in good stead for the remainder of the season.

Well done to everyone, especially Iain Petty & Luke McMorris who each came home with three medals.