CARRICK CRUSADE 2024 PRESS RELEASE
Cornwall’s only coastal rowing club host first regatta in Mylor
Carrick Rowing Club, based near Falmouth, attracted clubs from across the region to their first ‘Carrick Crusade’ event
Coastal rowing is a unique sport which will be included in 2028 Los Angeles Olympic games
Credit: Carrick Rowing Club
Carrick Rowing Club have hosted a successful first coastal rowing regatta at Restronguet Sailing Club in Mylor.
CRC, which is based out of Ponsharden Shipyard, is the only coastal sliding seat rowing club in Cornwall and is home to a growing team of members excited to be involved in a unique sport. The small club first founded in 2020 with help and support from the National Maritime Museum as a fine and coastal club.
On Saturday 14 September, coastal clubs from across Devon, Dorset and Portsmouth arrived for a day of racing at ‘Carrick Crusade’, sponsored by Whistlefish and Polymermedics. Racing consists of 4km and 6km courses across the Carrick Roads often in challenging conditions, with rowers battling with waves, tides and strong winds.
The sport is growing in popularity and coastal rowing is one of the latest to be announced as an Olympic sport, with beach sprints included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Credit: Carrick Rowing Club
Harry Gooby, vice-captain and race co-ordinator, said: “This moment was a culmination of five years of hard work setting up the club. It felt like a real proud and celebratory moment for Carrick to be able to host eight clubs from around the southwest and the south of England and provide opportunities for rowers from the age of 14 to 74.”
Two of the founding members Penny Chuter OBE and Harry Gooby, alongside Sally Miller, head of the regatta committee, have been the driving force behind getting the inaugural regatta off the ground – with a detailed action plan and joint enthusiasm for coastal rowing. Penny was the first appointed rowing coach at British Rowing for women in the country and former British international sculler and has been involved in Carrick Rowing Club since it started in 2020.
Harry Gooby, vice-captain, added: “It was an inclusive event with clubs which had one entry to more than 20 entries. Everyone said what a resounding success the regatta was. All boats went out, had a great time and successfully returned.
“A great day of teamwork, camaraderie and competition.”
The regatta hosted in Cornwall involved clubs who are part of the Coastal Rowing League, including: Plymouth's Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club, Exmouth Rowing Club, Teignmouth's River Teign Rowing Club, Torquay Rowing Club, the Barbarians at Studland Bay in Dorset, Carrick Rowing Club, Greenbank Rowing Club and Dolphin Rowing Club.
Across the day, 65 boats launched, and 62 medals were awarded for winning crews.
Three trophies were given out for: ‘Outstanding Performance in a Lady’s Category’, ‘Outstanding Performance in an Open Category’ and ‘The Carrick Sword’ for the club with the highest points across the racing season.
CRC won first place in two categories, the Mix C2x (double) and the Mix C4x (quad).
Credit: Carrick Rowing Club
Bob Cottell, Barbarians, said: “Stunning, big smile event. A fantastic atmosphere - a great example of how to deliver a coastal rowing event.”
Neil Tooley, British Rowing Umpire, said: "We received many compliments of the water management of the regatta. The day was fun, made all the better by the hospitality of the club members.”
Jeff Keast, Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club, said: “A beautiful setting with awesome courses and proper coastal conditions.”