Sunday 4th October was the Maidstone Small Boats Head which was held on the River Medway from Kings School Boat House to just before Town Bridge, a distance of 2.5Km. Head racing is when boats are individually timed.
155 boats from various clubs, racing over 3 divisions in a variety of different categories for Mens, Women's, Juniors, Vets and Mixed crews.
Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club (MIRC) entered 37 crews and won in 15 of the categories. They also got 3 of the 4 fastest times.
The Mens fastest time was awarded to Maidstone/Globe composite IM2 4+ Matt Nicholls, Chris Mollison, Stuart Hampshire (all from MIRC) and Mark Jaques (from Globe Rowing Club) coxed by Jo Jarrett in a time of 8:29, they were the fastest boat of the day.
The Junior J18 2x - from MIRC Tim Grant and Morgan Hellen were the fastest Mens Junior Crew – 9:08
Fastest Women's crew WIM3 4+ from MIRC Laura McGrillen, Liz Bennett, Elida Fidler, Katie Martin – Coxed by Tricia McGrillen from Sudbury Rowing Club. Time: 9:53
Fastest Women's Junior Crew was awarded to Bewl Rowing Club was J15 4x+ – 10:22
Other winning Maidstone crews
IM3 4+ Rich Wood, Stephen Slade, Marc Feary, Ben Finch coxed by Thea from Royal Docks RC
Elite 1x Stuart Hampshire - 9:03
J18 4+ - Dave Porter, Fergus Maunsell, Matt Delderfield, Ben Le Lion cox Ross Porter – 9:19
J16 2x Ryan Mitchell, Charlie Talbot - 9:34
J18 1x Tim Grant - 9:44
Vet E 4+ Robin Chapman, Harry Salmon, Dave Marsden all from MIRC and Ian Boyd (from Tyne Rowing Club) coxed by Sue Mobbs - 9:44
J15 2x Nick Penny, Pierre Flasse 9:56
Vet Novice 4+ Graham Hodgekinson, Richard, Simon Da Maria, Ali Macham coxed by Tui Thain - 9:59
1x Vet B/C James Knight – 10:02
1x Vet F Roger Mobbs – 10:45
WJ16 2x Abi Deldefield, Sarah Judd - 10:49
WJ14 2x Megan Fuller, Lauren Gilchrist 12:01
Later this month Morgan Hellen and Tim Grant are attending World Class Start and GB potential camp
Laura Johnson
