SWANAGE Regatta proved to be a good event for Weymouth Rowing Club.

They got their campaign off to the best possible start when the under-14s, pictured, dominated both their 500m races to run away with the trophy.

In the senior races, Weymouth, and Port-land, were up against strong crews from Poole, Clevedon, Lyme Regis, Bristol, Bridport, Hayling Island and Swanage.

As usual, the hosts set a very long left turn course, straight out from the shore towards Old Harry Rocks and returning parallel to the beach.

First out were the mixed teams made up of three men and three women, with Weymouth entering two teams in a field of 12 boats.

The Weymouth A crew stormed ahead, eventually winning by several lengths in Isolde, with the B team fourth in Penny.

It was a great start to the regatta for Weymouth with the adults adding to the juniors’ earlier success.

The veterans’ races followed and Wey-mouth fielded two teams in both the women’s and the men’s races.

The ladies finished second and sixth and the men third and 10th, continuing the club’s strong start.

In the C races, the women came home in third and the men pushed strongly to come second.

With the races coming thick and fast it was the turn of the B squads.

A very strong Weymouth ladies’ team raced hard, splitting the two Bristol teams to secure second.

The men went one better, dominating the field to leave the others trailing in their wake for another Weymouth win.

In the fiercely contested A races, Weymouth’s women took second and the men third.

Weymouth had finished in the top three in every race, a brilliant achievement for the club.

The hosts took the overall team trophy, pipping Weymouth by the narrowest of margins.

If you would like to try gig rowing, visit weymouthrowingclub.co.uk