The first day of racing at these three-day championships saw all of the open solos plus mixed doubles and Mixed Inclusion doubles take on some testing waves – as well as the clock – in the time trials. After sprinting down the beach, the boats had ride over or through two lines of breakers before getting out into water where they could settle into their rhythm.
Lymington ARC’s Sol Chambelain-Hyde dominated the Open Solos, finishing in 2:44.7, some 2.2 seconds clear of Gregor Hall from Stirling RC. Chamberlain-Hyde has represented GB as an Under 19 for the past two years and has clearly made the step up to senior level. With beach sprint stalwart Jerry Owen of Fishguard and Goodwick Jemima RC clocking 2:46.1 in third, followed by Finn Hamill, fresh from representing New Zealand at the World Rowing Championships last weekend just 0.1 second behind and Turki Alaref of Jeddah RC, Saudia Araba only another 0.1 second slower, this event looks set to produce some excellent racing in the side-by side rounds tomorrow.
Harris Bisset of St Andrews University BC – the club with the largest entry here – won the Open BUCS Solos time trial, finishing 1.5 seconds ahead of Hal Flowerdew of Newcastle University BC and Tom Walker from the University of Exeter BC who tied for second place.
Photo: AllMarkOne
Cardiff University’s Josh Houdmont had his very first experience in a coastal sculling boat today, and found the hard way that it’s a very different discipline from classic rowing. The waves got the better of him as he tried to row out from the beach, and despite a valiant struggle to stay upright, he was tipped out and was unable to get back on board in the surf. Undeterred, and having made plans to be in Bournemouth all weekend, Josh quickly signed up as a volunteer for the rest of the Championships and was cheerful about his all-too-brief race.
Cardiff University’s Josh Houdmont learns the hard way that coastal sculling skills take practice! (Photo: AllMarkOne)
The four entries in the Masters Solos were more spread out; former GB classic international sculler Marcus Bateman, representing Henley RC, topped the rankings with a time of 3:04.1, with adaptive sculler Colin Wallace of St Andrews University BC, reigning World Champion in Mixed Inclusive Double Sculls, finishing second in 3:18.8.
Christchurch RC enjoyed a one-two in the Open Junior Solos with Val Giachetto fastest in 2:41.7 and clubmate Louie Walker one second behind. Giachetto won this event at the English Junior Beach Sprint Championships less than a month ago, but Southsea RC’s Tom Biddle, who finished second on that occasion, was only fifth today and will be out to improve his position through the knockout rounds tomorrow.
Lymington ARC’s Alex Breese – also a winner at the English Juniors – won the Open J16 Solos time trial by a comfortable 4.5 seconds, with Dewi Merlo of Shoreham ARC second.
Finn Hamill then teamed up with Megan Hewison of Molesey BC – World Champion with Colin Wallace in 2025 – to win the Mixed Double Sculls by an impressive 6.6 seconds. Tom Mitchell (St Andrews University) and Laura McKenzie (Glasgow University) were second with Cam Buchan and Perri McCluskey – who became engaged a week ago, on a rain-swept beach, of course – third.
Finn Hamill and Megan Hewison powering across the surf on the way to winning the Mixed Double Sculls time trial. (Photo: AllMarkOne)
Just two crews are contesting the Mixed Inclusion Double Sculls; the highly experienced Colin Wallace of St Andrews University and Claire Jamison of Christchurch RC finished well ahead today of Tynemouth RC’s Ben Lukowski and Lucy Freeman.
Racing starts tomorrow at 9am with medals to be awarded for all of the events that time trialled today, followed by time trials for all of the Women’s Solo events, Open Double Sculls and Mixed Junior Double Sculls.
Saturday’s racing will be rounded off by Mixed Challenge Quads races; British Rowing RACE members can enter on the day on a pay-per seat basis, so if you’re experiencing beach sprint FOMO, head on down to Bournemouth and join in the fun!
Olympic bronze medallist Matt Aldridge (left), Marcus Bateman (Centre) and Steve Aldridge (right). Matt, who was racing in the Men’s Pair at the World Rowing Championships last weekend, learned to row at Christchurch RC where his dad Steve is a junior coach, and came along to support the next generation. (Photo: AllMarkOne)
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