ROWERS from Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club’s adaptive section headed to Spain to take part in the IMART Regatta.
Mother and son team, Paola and Ian Ward, represented Stratford in Orio, Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country.
High winds and choppy waters meant rowers could only use wide boats to familiarise themselves with the River Oria.
Paola and Ian returned to the water the following day for the competition.
However, the Stratford pair finished second behind Armida Rowing Club from Italy.
Paola said: “We found our boat settings difficult to adjust so our main objective was to avoid a capsize.”
The pair then sculled in a coxed wide quad combined with two rowers from Italy only to lose again against Italian opposition.
Paola added: “Apart from losing, we have had a great time learning a lot and meeting old friends and making new ones.”
Closer to home, several masters crews headed to the Ironbridge Regatta.
Stratford pair Rebecca England (stroke) and Lucy Scarlett (bow) took part in the women’s 2x race.
A swift starting sequence left the Stratford crew askew from the off which meant they failed to gain any momentum.
The double refocused and almost drew level with their opponents, however, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
In the open double sculls race, Jack Ingleby (stroke) and Tom Stokes (bow) lost to an experienced Pengwern crew on their regatta debut.
The women’s masters B coxed four of England, Suzie Radley, Scarlett, Fiona Schulz and Jenn Cary (cox) raced against Huntingdon for a place in the final.
The Stratford crew made a strong start and maintained their lead through to the finish to win by two-and-a-half lengths.
And the crew then took on a Bewdley C crew who received a bye through to the final.
Bewdley also benefited from a head start with Stratford unable to catch their opponents despite a valiant effort.
The masters E quad of Ellie Davies (stroke), Gina Fusco, Christine Goodwin and Ruth Poulten (bow) also took to the water for Stratford.
The crew produced their best average split times this season but lost by three-quarters of a length against eventual winners Stourport.
Elsewhere, Stratford’s J17/18 squad took part in the Henley Women’s Regatta.
The quad of Lucy Sartain, V Vondrak, Scarlett Richardson and Alex Francis raced in the time trial for the Bea Langridge Trophy.
Stratford overtook a crew from Molesey on their way to a joint 21st place finish out of 41 crews.
In the junior singles event, Poppy Baines battled for the Di Ellis Trophy as she secured a place in the side-by-side elimination rounds.
Drawn against the reigning national champion, Baines made a strong start to take an early lead only for her opponent to mount a comeback and win the race.
