This Is Guernsey

The Long Port Group crew tackle the seas around Herm. (Picture by Tim Prout, 0592181)

THE Guernsey Rowing Club have broken their Herm hoodoo.

For the first time in three years the club were able to stage their Herm weekend and under sunny skies the demanding waters around the island provided all crews with a major challenge, with three races in three days taking in what must be the most scenic rowing anywhere in Europe.

First off in the opening handicap race from St Peter Port to the island, were the Hash Anchorettes women’s four and their generous advantage enabled them to hold on to their lead and finish first.

Further down the field there was a good result for a noisy crew of Antipodean rugby players, the Legis Clubhouse Casuals. Their season started late but they have made excellent progress in a short time and so it was no surprise that they featured high up the fleet.

Although some boats struggled in the choppy seas, the force-five breeze was helpful enough to enable three crews to set new records.

The Wheeler Developments women’s pairing of Sharon Collenette and Margi Jorgensen made the crossing in a new best of 27min. 47sec.

The mixed pair of Lizzie Bellot and Steve Pipe also set a new best with 26-55, as did the FRM men’s four.

On Saturday the conditions had improved but there were still ominous looking breaking waves on the north coast of Herm.

For many rowers the Around Herm race is a firm favourite and the fact that it is so weather-dependent and does not take place every year possibly adds to its appeal. There are also crashes and groundings aplenty as the crews try to get the best out of every turn.

The Bank Julius Baer crew were leading the race by half a length when experienced coach and coxswain Lloyd Le Page took a risk too many.

At the north-east corner of the island he took advantage of his opponents’ wider line and cut in around the corner.

However, the infamous flat rock was waiting for them, lurking just below the surface of the swell.

The boat stuck fast and the crew clung on in a successful attempt to avoid capsizing.

But once under way again, they managed to carve through the field to finish second in their class.

The final race was the much-loved figure-of-eight course around Jethou and Herm.

The handicapped start sent the crews off one by one, battling the demanding tides between the two islands.

Despite a brisk northerly breeze, four records fell, although some were overdue since this race has been held only a few times in recent seasons.

Joe Paul and Paul Isaacs continued to demonstrate the value of all their hard training and again dominated the men’s pairs’ class, setting another record as they crossed the line in fourth place in an impressive 48min. 22sec.

There were intriguing battles all the way round with the fast-improving  Clubhouse Casuals having to overtake singles rower Paul Montague three times before finally finishing one place ahead in sixth.

Another singles rower, James Briggs, enjoyed an excellent weekend, coming in eighth having coped very well with the rather tricky tides.

There was also a welcome return to rowing for Paula van Katwyk after a calf injury had delayed the start to her season.

Not quite back to her best, she was just unable to improve on her own record.

The trophy for the combined three races was awarded to the FRM fours crew on 103 points, while Casuals and Hash Anchorettes were to share second place overall.