Head of the Dart

Dartmouth ARC saw near perfect conditions on Saturday for the 40th Head of the Dart River Race. The race that is organised by DARC and Dart Totnes ARC saw record entries from Clubs across the country. They travelled from as far as Falmouth to Folkestone and Stratford-upon-Avon to London. There was also a great variety of craft competing with paddle boarders, eights, fours, pairs, scullers, kayaks coastals and gigs.

The race started at noon with over 40 paddle boarders setting off at Noss followed an hour or so later by the other crews. Dartmouth had interest in several crews with the men's J18 quad boat of Mike Tilley, Richie Jeffs, Nick Crang and Chris Ely coxed by Marie dayment finishing in 55 minutes and 29 seconds. They boys did exceptionally well as it was the longest race any of them had competed in and for Nick and Chris their first race since starting rowing at DARC in October of last year.

The mixed crew of Chris China, Lisa Jefferies, Suzie Bowden and Matt Sheldon coxed by Chrissy Rugg finished a few places behind the lads in 56 minutes and 23 seconds. A composite crew of Henley, Minerva and Dartmouth's Tim Lincoln and cox Clair Langmead completed the ten mile race in 52 minutes and 18 seconds. Folkestone Rowing Club's senior A crew coxed by Dartmouth's Louise Bellamy finished well in 52 minutes and 20 seconds.

Dartmouth ARC would like to express it thanks to all those who helped during the day especially those who manned the safety boats, for the continuing co-operation of the crew of the Higher Ferry and for Sainsbury's for the donation of refreshments.

Overall winner in a record time of 43 minutes 5 seconds was the Dart Totnes Men’s eight of Seb Baranzano, Mladen Macanovic, Matt Heming, Ray Davis, Jan Westphalen, Gary Cairns, Shaun Barker, James Kerr and cox, Suzanne Hutchings. Second home was a Shiplake College Men’s eight in 43:26 and third the Dart Totnes Men’s second eight of Sam Richardson, Meyrick Tooley, Steve Clarke, Sam Pettitt, Elliot Legg, Jared Heming, James Lovering, Tim Whittit and cox, Sophie Brown, in 45:13.

Fourth overall and quadruple sculls category winners were the Dart Totnes Men’s Veteran crew of Nick Price, Alan Langmaid, Mick Rolley and Colin Souch who finished in 46:16.

Fastest double scull was the Dart Totnes crew of Martin Burridge and Ed Burnett who were 6^th overall in 47:59 and the fastest single sculler was Elliot Barton who was 7^th overall in 48:30.

Torquay’s Rus Bammens, Gary Letori, Nick Cleasby, Mike Cresser and cox, George Lowe, were the fastest coxed four who were 10^th overall in 49:29 and Men’s Veteran coxed fours category winners. Stoke oar Mike Cresser said, “We feel we had a good row, despite the usual excuses, lack of training , only a couple of outings , etc . We would like to get entries at Senior A this year at regattas. It seems a shame that WEARA have no representation at A men or women. We want to do A but want others to race.”

Former Dart Totnes sculler Sam Wilson, now with Walton, finished 17^th overall in 52:01 to win the Men’s Senior C single sculls category.

Dartmouth’s Claire Langmead coxed a Henley/Minerva composite Men’s Veteran coxed fours crew to 19^th overall in 52:18 to take the Men’s Veteran coxed fours Handicap trophy.

Event secretary Peter Atkinson finished 22^nd overall in 53:05 to take the Men’s Veteran single sculls Handicap trophy and Tony Szender of Dart Totnes who was 46^th overall in 58:59 won the Men’s Novice single sculls category.

The mass of paddle boarders at the start was a tremendous spectacle. And they made it to Totnes ‘standing up’!

Trophies and prizes were presented by the Mayor of Totnes, Councillor Jean Harrop. Each entrant was presented with an inscribed water bottle to mark the 40^th Head and a piece of the massive birthday cake.