By Aaron Sims

Fifteen JOG/LSRA crews travelled up into Cumbria for this year’s Talkin Tarn Regatta. The weather was baking hot and the wind was at a minimum which was an improvement on last year’s choppy affair.

Problems arose early with issues collecting the riggers from the boathouse in the morning causing them to arrive at the race ninety minutes later than expected. Phil’s single was one of the first races of the day and there were worries he might have to scratch, this however was not the case and he was able to get down to business. Phil came up against strong opposition in the IM3 1x heat and was beaten in the first round. His race in the Masters A/B/C 1x went considerably better. A strong battle ensued with Phil only just being overcome by his opponent from who was clearly exhausted at the end, being unable to formulate words.

While this took place and in the heat of the riggerless boats saga, Oliver had borrowed a boat from Amy at Tyne RC in order to race their J13 1x head, Oliver overcame the taller, blonder boy from the Newcastle club with considerably ease. He then proceeded to do the same in the final to secure win #1 of the day.

Andy, Andy, Tom, Wilson and cox Dylan managed to echo this performance by effortlessly ploughing through two rounds in Novice 4+s to win overall, beating Durham School and Hatfield College in the process. Win #2 done. Laura, meanwhile did not have as much luck in her WIM3 1x, although delivering a strong race, she was overcome and beaten by two lengths by her opponent from Talkin Tarn.

In the midst of all this, the WJ15B 4x+ of Hannah, Chloe, Shona, Rhianne and cox Paul had their straight final against St Peter’s School. The girls came off the line with a strong start and were neck and neck, a push from the opposition gave them a slight lead which Lancaster tried valiantly to recover but it was not to be with the girls crossing the line a mere half a length behind. This is still a very pleasing result with even Captain Pugwash surprised and pleased when told.

Lots of doubles action came up next with Izzy competing for the first time ever, racing alongside Rhianne in WJ14B 2x. The girls outdid themselves in a tough draw making it through two rounds, coming second of three in the final. A shame they didn’t get the win but can be proud of their performance nonetheless. The doubles of Chloe and Kieran and Tom and Shona raced next in Mixed IM3 2x, Kieran and Chloe gave a good race and were just beaten by their oppositon from Tyne RC. Meanwhile Tom and Shona, also racing Tyne, had technical issues when Shona had a footplate malfunction which cost the crew time from which they were unable to recover.

Oliver the giant killer was up again, this time alongside Paul in the J13A 2x. Once again the Lune over came the Tyne and the boys were in the final where they faced some strong competition and were forced to settle for second place. Another strong performance from a very young crew. Luke made up for this in his Novice 1x straight final against a sculler from Hexham by pulling away off the start and not giving his opponent any chance to come back. Win #3 secured.

Difficulties in the draw saw Aaron rearrange the heat for the Mixed IM3 4x- involving himself, Matt, Laura and May. The crew lined up a few hours ahead of schedule alongside their opposition, a composite Tees/Yarm crew, and set off. Both crews having chatted prior to racing had revealed they were both scratch crews and thus had no time on the water to prepare. This did not stop the JOG/LSRA comp as they went on to win by a good three lengths, striding twice to prevent anyone getting too tired for their upcoming races.

More doubles action was next with Aaron and Matt and also Wilson and Steve H racing opposite sides of the draw in IM3 2x and May and Ellie in WJ15 2x. Aaron and Matt saw off their initial competition from Tyne United with ease, rocketing off the start in their trademark fly and try-not-to-die fashion. Steve and Wilson replicated this by taking on and vanquishing a Tyne United crew of their own. The next round saw Steve and Wilson take on another Tyne United crew, the race was once again close but with the Tarn having no discernible marking to let you know you are going in a straight line, they began to go off course and into their opposition’s lane, forcing them over too. In the end, United managed to nip clear to get over the line first, leaving Wilson and the birthday boy Steve out of the running.

Aaron and Matt, meanwhile beat a crew from Tyne RC in their semi to proceed to the final and to avenge Steve and Wilson by racing the Tyne United crew that knocked them out. They proceeded to do so, winning the event and keeping their ‘unbeaten in the North of England’ reputation intact. Sharing the boat with Matt and Aaron were May and Ellie with both crews swapping over when the other had raced made the atmosphere hectic. This didnt stop the girls winning by considerable amounts of clear water in both races against Yarm School and Durham School. Wins #4 and #5 in the bag.

The final race of the day was the final for the Mixed IM3 4x-. Having seen their competition race their heat and seeing it being a close call, little could be discerned from the result and thus the plan was to go like the clappers at the start and see what happened. This worked as the JOG/LSRA crew pulled away from Tyne easily and proceeded to increase their leading margin. #6 done and dusted.

With racing over, boats went back on the trailer and people then meandered to treat themselves to either an ice cream or a ‘famous’ Jarvis bacon butty. All well deserved as the event was the most lucrative of the year and the club total of wins for the season as the most successful for the best part of the past decade!

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About The Club

John O’ Gaunt Rowing Club is a community rowing club based at Skerton (Lancaster) serving Lancaster, Morecambe, Preston and the South of Cumbria.


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Halton Road
Skerton
Lancaster
LA1 2EA

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