Despite the weather making a great claim to persuade everyone to stay indoors, Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club’s members were not deterred by the elements on a busy final weekend of racing for what has been a successful 2016.

Showcasing the club’s spectrum of racers from novice competitors to some more experienced, the Tamar Challenge and the Dart laying-up race saw celebration-worthy performances from three Salcombe crews across the two days, highlighting the strength of the club at the moment.

On Saturday, Octo­ber 15, a mixed crew travelled to Salt­ash, Cornwall, to compete in the gruelling nine-mile, aptly-named, Tamar Challenge, racing from the bridge to Cothele Quay in ap­proximately 59 minutes.

The crew of Elinor Jones, Jason Nickels, Will Searle, Max Pedrick, Jess Day and Sally Jones, coxed by John Whitelock, stayed relaxed throughout, despite being pushed by a strong Bristol crew all the way to the line, finishing as the first mixed crew, and second over the line only to Caradon ladies’ A, the current world champions.

On the Sunday, the Dart Laying-Up Race was held by Dartmouth Gig Club, welcoming local clubs to a ‘friendly’ race from the Lower Ferry to Dittisham for a fitness-testing, 25-min­ute row.

The ladies rowed first, looking forward to the well-deserved pint at the pub at the other end.

All of the ladies racing for Salcombe were newcomers in 2015-2016, showcasing just how strong women they are to be competing against some strong A crew rowers in the field. The crew was Mandy Palmer, Donna Timmis, Emma Lang­maid, Amy Elliot, Kate Fox and Suzy Bentley, coxed by new ladies’ captain and first-time race cox Annie Quinton.

After having the relaxing trip up the river while the women raced, then it was the men’s turn. The crew comprised members with a range of race experience, giving everyone the opportunity to race as strongly as possible.

The men’s crew was Tim Jones, Bob Bryant, Ben Howden, Simon Palmer, Ross Thomp­son and Andrew Hor­ton, coxed by Duncan Norris, the men’s captain.

With the official gig racing season over, Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club decided to continue on with the racing spirit by having inter-club racing days.

These give all members of the rowing club the opportunity to experience racing; we introduce adult racing to newcomers and juniors, giving them the chance to race among crews with experienced racers in proper racing conditions.

On Sunday, October 30, SERC held the first inter-club race day of this winter season, involving six crews, competing in two, timed heats.

The slowest three crews went through to the plate final; the fastest three crews went into the final, competing for the James Fortescue Trophy.

The trophy is in honour of James Fortescue, a former, dedicated member of Salcombe Rowing Club, who sadly passed away around five years ago.

The trophy was donated to the rowing club by his wife, Ros. The club has decided to use this trophy for the all-embracing club event, as members are sure that James would be pleased that the club offers this opportunity to all sections.

The crew that won this trophy on Sunday was coxed by the chairman, Jason Nickels, coxing a mixed racing experienced crew. The winner of the plate final was coxed by Ross Thompson, again with a mixed experienced crew, including juniors.

After a summer of success in regattas across the region, attention now turns to winter training, whether that involves maintaining fitness for next summer’s regattas or crew training for the World Gig Rowing Championships on the Isles of Scilly in April.