Stirling rowers are a hit at Nithsdale
Club members on top form for regatta in Dumfries
Stirling Rowing Club continued their good form at the Nithsdale Regatta in Dumfries.
A squad of 24 rowers made the journey to race the 750 metre course on the River Nith at the weekend.
They got off to a promising start in the morning session by winning most of their heats and semi-finals.
Finals began after the break with the first being in the Club 8 event where clubs had to field four males and four females.
Stirling’s crew featured two juniors, three seniors and three masters in their final with Castle Semple of Lochwinnoch – and they put in an impressive performance to retain the title they won last year.
The winning team was made up of Ellie Butler, Lindsey Arnott, Natalie Firth, Caroline Ridden, Graeme Duff, Gregor Hall, Ross Marchbank, Kevin Plank and cox Sam Sellars.
Father and daughter team Simon and Ellie Butler won their novice mixed double-scull event while victories also came in the open mixed double scull for Gregor Hall and Natalie Firth, and the quad-scull for Natalie, Gregor, Graeme Duff and Lindsey Arnott.
An all-Stirling final saw Natalie Firth and Lindsey Arnott overcome Caroline Ridden and Sophie Brett in the women’s restricted two double-scull event.
Chris Hartley also enjoyed a great day winning the men’s restricted two single-scull event comfortably over Clydesdale.
A win for Gregor Hall and Ross Marchbank followed in the open double-scull, and they then teamed up with Graeme Duff and Kevin Plank to win the open quad-scull over Chester le Street in the final.
In the juniors Melissa McGarva and Robbie Waddell won their respective junior 14 single-sculls events against English opposition. Robbie then joined up with Quinn McDonnell and won their junior 14 double-scull event.
Both then teamed up with Joshie Matthews and Ruairidh Reid, coxed by Lindsey Arnott, to win the boys junior 14 coxedquad.
Finally Eilidh McGowan from Loch Lomond Rowing Club raced with Stirling’s Jenna MacLennan, Eleanor Culley and Melissa McGarva, coxed by Sam Sellars, to win the girls junior 15 coxed-quad.
A Stirling Rowing Club spokesperson said: “Another fantastic effort for those who travelled to Dumfries, with almost everyone winning one of their events.
“A special mention to Gregor Hall who managed to win all of his events taking home five medals. Particular thanks to Neil McGuire who once again towed our trailer to the regatta.”
On Saturday the club’s fundraising sponsored row will see a boat on the water from 3.30am to 11pm.
This is to raise funds for new equipment while cash will also be donated to Strathcarron Hospice.