Henley tough but amazing

Rowing

Maidstone Invicta rowers will treasure their experience at the Henley Royal Regatta. The senior men’s crew of Kaan Brynley Belton, Mason Slider Shoebridge, Jamie Waterhouse and captain Dan Hawke fell at the first hurdle last Wednesday but actually led before Bristol beat them by four lengths in the Wyfold Challenge Cup. Hawke said: “We really enjoyed it. It was amazing to be competing on the same stage as Olympians and the national team. “We’re not at that level but it was amazing to have that experience. “It was a tough race. We took an early lead but the Bristol crew came through and we weren’t able to recover so we were knocked out on the first day which wasn’t a great surprise. “It was still great to even race there. “There was a massive turnout on the Wednesday – I’ve not seen it like that before – and plenty of people were shouting for Maidstone.” It was the first time in several years that Maidstone had qualified for Henley. The challenge is to build on their success, although the team will be changing. Hawke said: “We’d like to do it again but we know Kaan is leaving the club, so he won’t be around next year, and I’m not sure about the rest of the crew.” The club are looking to boost their senior squad and would like to hear from men and women aged 20 to 30. You can make contact via maidstoneinvicta.co.uk

Young rowers at Maidstone Invicta won three golds, one silver and a bronze medal at the Peterborough Junior Championships. The club finished third in the points table, beaten only by two of the top girls’ schools in the country.