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After a frustrating start to the racing calendar with many of the crews narrowly missing out on first place at races such as Marlow, Bedford and Henley, the Maidstone Spring Head proved to be the day that all training efforts would culminate and finally pay off.

Kent Rowing seemed to dominate every category entered
bringing back four wins in total. The Men’s 1st crew of Sam
Webb, Nick Paterson, Matt Frayling Cork and Sam Cumming,
coxed by Chris Joyce, competed twice and had an excellent
row in the IM3 category, winning with a time of 9.15. The crew
were also the fourth fastest boat of the day.

Women’s 1st of Jess Stoddart, Sarah Corbett, Erin
Robinson and Sarah Moseley, coxed by Rachel Flynn,
also sealed victory in the IM3 category with a time of 10.34.
The crew were also awarded the Fastest Ladies Boat banner,
which is now the second year running that Kent has been
presented with this award. It will be the challenge of next
year’s Women’s 1st to continue this achievement in following
years.

Perhaps the most unexpected win of the day came from the
Men’s scratch crew; put together only a week or so before the
race. Josh Blackledge, Ash Roberts, James Stokes and
Tom Shepherd had a fantastic row and won the Men’s Novice
category with a time of 9.24. This four had also raced previously in their respective pairs, both gaining respectable times but unfortunately there was not enough competition in the category for any wins.

Excitingly, it was the two Women’s development crews’ first taste of racing action, and both competed exceptionally. Women’s Development One, consisting of Cathy Lawless, Emma Cross, Fiona Ting and Francisca Stangel, coxed by Chloe Marshall, won the Women’s Novice category with a time of 11.57 and Women’s Development Second were close behind coming second. Men’s Development 1st and Development 2nd, now in their second race, were also strong competition but had little chance of winning being in the same category as their advanced seniors.

Elsewhere, Sarah Harvey and Kate Tatchell put in a strong row, but unfortunately had no competition in their IM1 double race.

The weekend had also seen a particular collaboration with the King’s School rowers. Alice Mason competed with Chloe Ellis from King’s School, in an IM3 Double at Maidstone, and three members of Women’s First competed the day before at Burway Head of the River in a composite Novice Eight.

Sarah Moseley