Rowing at MRSC
Published 14:00 on 1 Sep 2026
Over the last few months, the rowers at the club have enjoyed a variety of outings when the weather and tide have been favourable. These have been mainly social rows but we have run a few endurance rows for the more experienced rowers. We have also run some taster sessions.
During the summer, Tudor Sailing Club ran monthly "Friendly Friday" evenings when they invited local rowing clubs and sailing clubs that have rowing as part of their activities to send two rowers to take part in Bursledon Gig races. Rowers from all the clubs are mixed together, and with an experienced local cox they have heats leading to a final race. We sent representatives to several of these evening events and I am pleased to report that some months we had MRSC rowers reaching the final race as they were in boats that won a heat. We have not quite managed to be in a winning boat, but on the positive side, we have not had anyone winning the monthly Wooden Spoon for the slowest race time. Tudor Sailing Club has 10 Bursledons Gigs which they use for these evenings, three owned by the club itself and 7 privately owned. TSC have been particularly helpful over the last year with their advice and support in our rowing journey. There are now around 30 Bursledon Gigs in sailing and rowing clubs in the area with a full programme of events to which we are invited to take part.
Our first away event in our Bursledon Gig, "Dreamer", was on 30th August when we entered the Hamble River Regatta race. This was a course of approx. 4k up the river from Hamble-le-Rice and back down. The down-stream leg was particularly challenging against a strong wind and a strong tide. The original course would have taken us into Southampton Water but due to the wind strength we stayed in the river. All the other teams warmly welcomed us to the regatta as they knew it was our first event in "Dreamer". There were 13 entries. We entered a ladies team with Yona Dunsford, Sue Fox and Pippa Robinson and as none of our more experienced lady rowers were available that day, we invited a guest rower from Dolphin Rowing Club, who has lots of racing experience, and we were really grateful for her help and support. I was the cox. We borrowed a road trailer, and Gil towed the boat round to the Hamble. We started at 30 second intervals. The fastest time for a men's team was 28.53 mins and we did it in 33.05 mins. We were 8th overall and 3rd in the ladies class (out of 6 entries). It was a brilliant day and as a club we are looking forward to entering more regattas.
If you would like to come on a "taster row" please contact me. Rowing at MRSC does not stop for the winter and when the tide and weather is favourable and you are suitably dressed, to be in the harbour on a bright clear day when no one else is around, except the occasional seal, is a great way to get through the darker days of winter.
Carol Carter, Rowing Captain, Email: rowing@mengeham.org.uk
