BARC Trade 4s a big Success

Berwick Amateur Rowing Club boathouse was buzzing on Saturday for this year ’s Round Table Trade Fours. The weather was very kind but it was touch and go whether the event would go ahead due to recent water conditions but luck was on our side and the days racing got underway.

Thirteen crews, consisting of at most, one club rower and three non rowers battled it out for the Trade Fours 2008 title. Again, this year was very popular with the ladies and as a result five crews entered.

First on the water for the ladies were Beijing ’s Best versus The Bay City Rowers. Both crews dressed superbly for the event. A bad start cost the Bay City Rowers the race but all was not lost as they had a second chance in the first round against Babes of the Waves and went on to go through to the second round. Hil ’s Angels took on the very well drilled crew of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum with Hil ’s Angels going through to the semi-final. Babes of the Waves also got a second chance in the repechage and again raced the Bay City Rowers. The tartan clan were out-classed in this race with Babes of the Waves, who had not rowed together until the day, going through to the final against the women ’s favourite Beijing ’s Best. The deteriorating water conditions for the ladies final were too much for the less experienced Babes, crowning Beijing ’s Best, comprising of Sam Seaton, Michelle Williamson, Susan Blackett and Nicole Wilson with the Women ’s Trade Fours title.

The men ’s competition was always going to be interesting, with such a wide range of abilities. First off for the men were Motley Crew, captained by Les Eke versus MT Space Cowboys, captained by Chris Eke, two well matched crews with little or no practice saw Motley Crew going through to the semi final. Event sponsors, Round Table unfortunately were drawn against last year ’s winners and well practised 4 to 1 and were overhauled from the start. The Superheroes, complete with masks and capes, were no match for MKM ’s Torpedoes. Crash Bandy Crew were up against indoor rowing champs, Bandana Boys, but rowing in a boat proved too technical for the heavy weight Bandana Boys giving Crash Band Crew the last slot in the semi ’s.

Motley Crew were up against Michael Guthrie ’s 4 to 1 and another win for 4 to 1 seen them on their way to yet another final. MKM ’s Torpedoes got off to a flying start against other semi finalist Crash Bandy Crew but with water conditions deteriorating, the Torpedoes made critical errors and Crash Bandy Crew took the lead for a place in the final.

The men ’s competition under-dogs, Crash Bandy Crew, were through to the final against last year ’s winners 4 to 1. It was going to be tough for the under-dogs, especially as 4 to 1 got of to a flying start but after a few errors from 4 to 1, Crash Bandy Crew managed to keep their cool in the rough water to row through 4 to 1 and go on to win by half a length, crowning Crash Bandy Crew comprising of Shea Grimsdale, Neil Seaton, Gordon Johnson and Tim McColl with the men ’s Trade Fours title.

Thanks go to Berwick Round Table for sponsoring the event, to everyone who helped make the day run smoothly, to the many spectators and to all the competitors who we hoped enjoyed the days racing and making it such a memorable day. We look forward to seeing you all again next year and anyone who can ’t wait to get back into a boat will be most welcome at the boathouse for training every Tuesday evenings at 6.30 pm.