2022 Races and Activities
Weybridge
January 2022
Weybridge's Winter Head, a 3km course, saw one Medway crew participate. Even with the wintery conditions, Ralph Humphrey and Shaun Martin were able to face off some strong competition, and win their category. They completed the course in 11:20, the 37th fastest crew, out of almost 200, on the day.
March 2022
Maidstone Head
Medway returned to Maidstone, putting forward 4 crews to compete in the 2.5km race course, and brave the winter's wind. Ralph Humphrey and Shaun Martin's double won their category, completing the course in 9:44, and were the 9th fastest crew overall, out of 140 crews.
Other crews that competed were Douglas Kergall and Mohan Dell in a double (9:40, the 6th fastest crew of the day), a four comprising Douglas, Joseph Atkins, Ken Pointer and Mohan (11:06) and Ruta Aisthorpe (12:02).
April 2022
4 Medway crews competed at Bedford, completing the 2km race course. The Masters quad, comprising Robin Philpott, John Coull, Mark Somers and Ian Hopkins, won their category, completing the course in 7:21, the 35th fastest crew of the day.
Other crews that competed on the day were Douglas Kergall and Mohan Dell in a double (7:28) and a pair (7:44). Even with a rigger coming off during the race, the four comprising Douglas, Joseph Atkins, Ken Pointer and Mohan, finished the course in 8:52.
Lea Spring Regatta
April 2022
Medway put forward 2 crews to compete Lea's 600m race course. Douglas Kergall and Mohan Dell's pair won their category, completing the course 2:09, the second fastest crew of the day.
The other crew that competed was a four comprising Douglas, Joseph Atkins, Ken Pointer and Mohan, who reached the final for their category.
Henley
2022
Two members of Medway Towns Rowing club competed at Henley in separate, composite crews: Liz McVeigh and Ralph Humphreys.
Liz joined a Masters F 8, comprising Upper Thames, Wallingford, and Bedford members, who went on to win their heat against a Marlow crew to make it to the final. The US crew in the final did not give them an easy time, where Liz’s crew was rating at least 35 strokes per minute. It paid off, where Liz’s crew were able to pull away enough to win the race by three-quarters of a length.
Ralph joined another Masters F 8, comprising members of University of London Boat Club, which made it to the final to compete against Molesey, a crew made up of ex-GB rowers. Just like Liz’s experience, Molesey gave Ralph’s crew an expected run for their money, but failed to beat them, finishing a third of a length behind.
A massive congratulations to both crews for bringing back golds and representing the club at such a prestigious event!
Liz McVeigh's Henley medals past and new medal for 2022
Ralph's winning master F8
Liz and master F 8 crew
Henley Town
2022
Medway saw 3 crews, including a composite, compete at this Henley's Visitors Regatta, a 800m course, resulting in 2 wins overall.
A Masters D quad, comprising Graham Mitchell-Hill, John Coull, Mark Somers and Robin Philpott, won their category, being able to hold off tough competition. They completed the course in 3:22, a length ahead of second place.
A women's composite 8, which comprised members from Wimbleball and Medway's Ruta Aisthorpe, were able to outperform Reading and Marlow crews to win their category. They completed the course in the final in 3:36, over 4 lengths ahead of second place.
A Masters D double, comprising Ralph Humphrey and Shaun Martin, were able to make it to the final of their category, and finished second.
Ruta and our very own Medway Umpire Zoltan at Henley
Women's composite 8
Masters D quad, comprising Robin Philpott, Mark Somers, John Coull, and Graham Mitchell-Hill
Dansen Dashes
September 2022
Medway saw 3 crews, including a composite, compete at Danson Dashes, a 500m course, resulting in 1 win overall.
A Masters C double, comprising James Ross and Jason Davis, competed in their first race for Medway, finishing third in their category on the day.
Mohan Dell competed in the open singles category, and similarly finished third in his category on the day.
A composite men's 8, comprising members from Gravesend and Medway's Mohan Dell, won their straight final.
Maidstone
September 2022
Medway saw 3 crews compete at Maidstone's Autumn Head, a 2.5km course, which saw 1 win.
Douglas Kergall and Mohan Dell won their double's category, completing the course in 9:15 (joint 12th fastest crew of the day).
Other crews that competed were Ruta Aisthorpe and Shaun Martin in a mixed Masters double (9:36), and a quad comprising Douglas, Jack Cook, James Ross and Mohan (9:40).
Pairs head
October 2022
Douglas Kergall and Mohan Dell competed at the Pair's Head, a 4.5km racecourse. The crew were able to complete the course in 14:26, finishing 9th in their category, and 44th overall (out of 330 crews).
Upper Thames head
October 2022
Douglas Kergall and Mohan Dell competed in the Open and Master's double categories at the Upper Thames Autumn Head, a 3km upstream racecourse.
For the Open category, they completed the course in 12:29, finishing second overall. The crew won the Master's category, completing the course in 12:27. They were also the first Master's A crew to both compete and win at the competition.
Photo credit: Sport Focussed
Bedford Star Autumn Head
November 2022
Liz McVeigh celebrated entry into her eighth decade by gathering her long-time competitive rowing friends together for a race. After some consultation over dates and availability, it was agreed to meet for a row at Bedford Star Autumn Head, a chance for Liz to row in an eight, her favourite boat.
Even though the crew got through to the 60 plus category, they raced in the main women's eights category due to a lack of competition. As the race was an excuse for getting together, the change of category was not considered a major issue.
The unexpected outcome was that the crew won the event by some eight seconds!
What Liz had not anticipated was the presence of the most amazing birthday cake, organised by one very talented member of Bedford Rowing Club. The cake was decorated with oars from each of the clubs represented in the race, plus a couple of extra blades for those from the group who were unable to attend on that day. In addition, there were representations of race medals that Liz had won over the years with this very special group of friends. What a super way to celebrate looming middle age!
Vets Fours Head
November 2022
Robin Philpott, Graham Mitchell-Hill, John Coull and Martin Miller represented the club, one of 260 other crews who competed at the event.
The crew completed the 6.8km course in 20:58, finishing 8th in their category, and 69th overall on the day.
Photo credit: Ben Rodford Photography