Rowing crews from across the country descended upon Coosan Point on Saturday morning last for the annual Athlone Boat Club regatta.
The event was attended by in excess of 500 crews and 138 races were planned but due to a late weather warning at approximately 4.40pm the regatta had to be abandoned, a duty of care to all participants as a result of thunderstorms being reported in the locality.
However, this did not take away from the great excitement that unfolded all day as a total of 118 races were started and completed, junior rowers as young as 13 and masters participants all enjoying the inner lake at Coosan Point as 1000 metre flying starts races took place.
Weeks of organising and planning is invested into ensuring that the day is a success for the club. From laying the course, putting in place the boat slipways and setting up Coosan Point as a top venue for rowing in Ireland, the committee perennially ensure this is one of the best regatta events hosted in the country.
Fortune needs to shine when it comes to the weather and on the day it was a mix bag of rain, sun and wind. However, that did not dampen the day and crews took to the water as early as 7am with first races starting at 8am under the starters orders of club president, Paul Donovan. Paul ensured that crews were lined up, ensuring umpires were ready and settled any nerves of junior rowers. At the finish line crews were watched crossing the line by race finisher Martin Hogan. Martin logged all wins and kept a close eye as some races came down to fine margins.
“Today, team work was demonstrated in bucket fulls from parking stewards, food sales, slipway management, health and safety, race umpires, club parents, club members, volunteers - the list is never ending. We could not do this event without the 100% commitment from our community that is Athlone Boat Club and our friends,” club captain, Nick Friel, stated.
The event was sponsored by Viking Tours Ireland and Rowing Boat Repairs. The club would like to sincerely thank all who sponsored this regatta. Those that support the event ensure this regatta occurs yearly as without this kind of support it would be very difficult to achieve such a successful event. Volunteers are the backbone of this event and the club had a large number of safety boats and umpires to ensure races started on time and crews were guided down the course to the finish line.
Support was provided on the day by Athlone Subaqua Club who always play a vital role with ensuring safety and support was provided to all crews on the water. They were called into action on a few occasions to support rowers and with support from the Order of Malta on the shoreline the event was well monitored.
“Athlone Subaqua Club play a vital role in the safe running of this event yearly and Athlone Boat Club is very grateful for their commitment and involvement to our regatta,” club president, Paul Donovan, added.
The Stephen Doran cup was won by Enniskillen Rowing Club who rack up an incredible 48 wins/second or third positions in a selection of different categories on the day. The Stephen Doran cup means so much to Athlone Boat Club. Stephen was a member of the famous Maiden 8 Athlone crew that won 11 trophies in 1970. Stephen sadly drowned on August 19 of that year, this trophy presented each year in his memory. Athlone Boat Club also had a number of fantastic wins with junior boys and girls excelling and the club’s masters men’s 8 also claiming gold medals for the town.
To conclude, club president Paul Donovan, thanked the Order of Malta, RNLI, Westmeath County Council, local fishing groups, IWAI Dunrovin, Coosan Point residents, the Lough Ree Inn and the local Gardai for all their support before and on the day.
“We would also like to thank all those that share Coosan Point and who support us in holding this event. The club was in a strong position and one which will see it to continue to succeed into the future.
“The club comprises remarkable people who invest so much time and energy into our rowers and the club’s development. We look forward now with some great inspiration from this home regatta to this years national championships in Cork where our crews will be attending. All clubs now turn their attention to the national rowing championships in July,” Paul concluded.
