Taree Summer Regatta 11,12 &13/1/2019

After last year’s gale that cancelled most of the races on Sunday, this year’s regatta was relatively benign. The rapid incoming tide and strong tail wind on Friday afternoon made racing difficult but Saturday and Sunday both provided perfect conditions for rowing. We were ready for whatever the weather gods threw at us with our new gale proof marquee, but it didn’t get much of a work out. It will have to wait for windier weather to prove its worth.

28 Endeavour crews started for 4 wins, 6 seconds and 5 thirds. All of our firsts came in composite crews with Sean Donza winning 3 medals and Di McShane and Katrina Whiteley winning one each. The most exciting race for Endeavour spectators was the Mens D Grade Eight which included every one of our male competitors at the regatta from Robert Weatherall aged 18 to Al Atkins aged 77. With 200 metres to go, the Endeavour crew was in third place. As the leading crews cracked on the pace, Endeavour was pulling them both back, overhauling one and just missing the other for second place.

Winning crews:
Mens Masters Double Sculls: Sean Donza + composite.
Mens Masters Four: Sean Donza + composite.
Mixed Quad Sculls: Sean Donza + composite.
Womens Masters Eight: Katrina Whiteley, Di McShane + composite.

Second places:
Mens Masters Pair: Al Atkins + composite.
Mens B Grade Double Sculls: Robert Weatherall, Prentice Bond.
Mens Masters Quad Sculls: Sean Donza + composite.
Mens C Grade Four: Owen Redhead, Sean Donza, Dave Percival, Robert Weatherall, Reg Vaughan (coxn).
Mens D Grade Eight: Al Atkins, Owen Redhead, Reg Vaughan, Roger Farquhar, Dave Percival, Sean Donza, Robert Weatherall, Prentice Bond, Katrina Whiteley (coxn).
Mens Masters Eight: Sean Donza + composite.

​Peter Bond
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