North East Regatta 2001 21^st & 22^nd April 2001

In 2001, Aberdeen Boat Club again emerged as winners but not by the same (record) margin as last year. A strong senior squad earned the club lots of points but they also recorded victories in mens novice and womens veteran events.

Aberdeen Schools were leading at the end of Saturdays racing (all the Junior events are how held on Saturday) but they also managed to maintain this lead well into Sunday's racing. The strength of ABC's entry in senior events then relegated the younger competitors to second place. This remains an impressive result for the schools club and the competitors, coaches, parents and sponsors should be justifiably proud of this runners-up position.

North East Regatta 2001 21^st & 22^nd April 2001

It was a worrying time in the build-up to the 2001 event. The current Foot and Mouth epidemic had resulted in the cancellation of some regattas and other sporting fixtures but fortunately rowing events in the North East are unaffected.

The week before the event also produced terrible weather in Aberdeen with strong winds, hailstorms and lying snow. The weather gods smiled (or at least stopped frowning) on us in the end and the event was held in reasonable rowing conditions with no rain. However, a chilly and sometimes strong tailwind on both days made spectating a job for the hardy.

Even more stamina was demanded from our umpires who had no choice but to stand for several hours in some of the draughtiest positions of the course; so thanks to Peter Morrison (senior umpire), Ian Duncan, Gill Laing, Raymond Dixon, Terry McNeill, Lydia Carty, Sandy Walker, Neil McFarlane, Mike Haggerty, Gary Bain, Robert Robertson and Bryan Steel. Also the two enthusiastic trainee umpires Fiona Insch and Katy Cameron.

We had a record entry with 79 races on Saturday and 71 on Sunday. There were especially large entries in Novice and R2 events (13 entrants in Womens Novice Fours on Saturday). Mens Veteran events also attracted a large entry with seven Fours racing on Sunday. The veteran Fours event prompted some of our umpires to change blazers for rowing kit and Peter Morrison was spotted winning a race. This event was finally won by Glasgow Rowing Club who boated stalwarts including Sandy Walker (hope his rowing licence was up-to-date) and George Warnock .

At the other end of the age range we held Cadet (under 12) single sculls in Aquajogs. The determination shown by Michael Chalmers in winning his place in the final was impressive but Jamie Steel's superior technique won her the event. Jamie and Michael, along with less experienced Cadets, down to 8 years of age, competed in coxed quad sculls. The event was held over a short course from the Suspension Bridge but both crews had difficulty manoeuvring onto the start due to gusty winds at the time of their race. The safety launch (provided by sponsorship from Aberdeen Asset Management and SportsMatch Scotland) was on hand but never needed.

The launch was used on Sunday when a Loch Lomond novice sculler capsized on the way to the start (someone told me he hadn't fastened his gate - bet he won't do that again!). The intrepid gent was helped back to shore where he announced his desire to re-boat and race. He won his delayed sculling heat, promptly raced in a Fours event and then back to the start again to win the Novice Sculls final. When I asked his name, one of his clubmates suggested "Flipper" but congratulations to Alan McGregor - a worthy Novice Sculls winner.

A womens four from the recently-formed Dalgety Bay Sailing Club (Rowing Section) entered their first event at the North East. They won nothing except the sympathy (I am sure it was sympathetic laughter) of the crowd when they capsized their boat at the jetty subjecting not only their cox but also their stern pair to a quick dip in the Dee. Again an exercise they are unlikely to repeat in the future! We wish them the best.