BEACH Sprints Rowing is becoming the fastest-growing discipline of the sport across the country, with several Isle of Wight club rowers already competing at national level.

Inspiring the next generation, Shanklin-Sandown Rowing Club staged their own Intra-Club Beach Sprint Regatta in Shanklin. 

It was the only racing some members had seen in recent weeks, as the weather has taken its toll on recent regattas — the last three falling victim to the weather.

The racing saw several combinations of crews, from juniors to masters, in singles, quads and fours. 

The event involved a sprint along the beach, into their boat and racing out to a buoy, before turning back, jumping out of the boat and then finishing with an 80m sprint to the finish line.

The singles and fours were raced side-by-side, while the quad race took the form of a time trial.

The closest race of the evening saw Simon Nevitt beat Kev Faithfull, in the master’s single scull, with Simon overtaking Kev on the sprint to the line.

Louis Sheasby won the J18 single scull, over Kayleigh Batchelor.

The mixed quad event saw the crew of Poppy Lawrence, Kayleigh, Louis and Kev record the fastest time, with Arlo Adds, Sam Travis, Emily Faithfull and Simon winning the coxed four event. 

Both crews were coxed by Daisy Faithfull.

  • Club athletes, Daisy and Emily, with Bas Andre, now competing for Moseley, competed at the British Beach Sprints Championships at Exmouth in Devon recently too. 

Mishaps on the first day meant only Emily was able to qualify for the final, where she finished in the top ten.