YGRC rower represents Devon
Posted by on 16 October 2022
As a club we are extremely proud that YGRC rower Paul Taylor raced for Devon in the County Championships 2022. He wrote us the report below.
“The Devon Vets crew quickly found each other, made introductions then started talking about starts, stroke rates, erg times/distances and the intent (wishful thinking perhaps…) to beat Cornwall. The crew comprised two Dart rowers (stroke and 3 - their team captain), number 2 from Teign, myself in 4 and Greg from Exmouth in 1. We met the cox from Salcombe who gave some last minute tips.
The 2k-ish course was interesting starting near QAB heading upstream with a dog-leg buoy, then two acute turns, then a straight back to Mountbatten.
Typically, not much time for a warm up before we were lined up against Bristol in Concorde, Doset in Dagger, Cornwall in Amazon and East in Start of Northney. Devon were in Catalina that was a little wet with water up to the deck boards, and No.5 towel plate was loose (no doubt a concern affecting our performance...). The tide was ebbing and the race was against the wind for the first half.
Devon made a good start keeping up with Cornwall, and were clear from the other counties. Cornwall edged ahead and Devon tried to draught, but eventually Cornwall rowed clear. The rest of the race was a slog but Devon came a convincing second some 20 seconds later with the next boat, Dagger finishing 30 seconds later.
The gig rower Facebook link to the race video is https://fb.watch/gbUjg7gb8D/.
Finally, a thanks to YGRC for the opportunity to participate in this National County event particularly the coxes, coaches, race captain and crewmates who have taught me to row and encouraged me to enter selection.”
