Record entry for Scullers Head
The Chester Long Distance Sculling Race marks the start of the ‘Head’ racing season in the North West. Sprint racing over short courses is replaced by distance events usually of 3k or more. The completion on the river Dee now in its 53rd year is organized by Royal Chester Rowing Club, which is celebrating their 175th year, one of the oldest clubs in the country.
Crews row up to the marshaling area above Eccleston Ferry before starting at 10 second intervals and racing over the 5k course to the finish at Dee Lane. This year saw a record entry of 153 crews in the morning division and 137 crews in the afternoon, roughly 500 rowers. Competitors travel from all over the region as well as the North East.
The fastest crew of the day was the quad scull of Agecroft Rowing Club who narrowly beat Royal Chester, however there were plenty of wins for local crews. The Grosvenor Women’s IM2 quad was the fastest women’s boat and the club had a further 10 wins in Masters D4x, IM3 2x, Masters E/F 2x, Masters D Novice 2x, WIM3 1x, W Masters B 1x, W Masters C 1x, Masters D 1x, IM2 1x, Masters C 1x.
The host club Royal Chester collected medals with Alex Bain in Junior 1x, Joe Fletcher-Hunt Novice 1x, WJ 2x, W Novice 2x, W Junior 1x and W J15 coxed quad. Queens Park High School took the honours in W J14 coxed quad.