The 1.5 mile race was started seven abreast . Gravesend pulled away straight from the start, and by halfway down the course length were 3 to 4 lengths up on the next boat. Of course turning a boat round a buoy is something river rowers never do; in coastal rowing - they do. Not being used to turning Gravesend came out of the turn still in the lead but having dropped a couple of boat lengths on their opposition. The final long slog up to the finish saw Gravesend extend its lead to approximately 4 lengths.

It is the first time that a crew from Gravesend Rowing Club has one at a coastal event for over 100 years.

• Coastal rowing differs from the rowing you on the Thames. the boats are similar in that they use sliding seats and have metal frames on the side of the boat (called Riggers) for the oars to fit into. But they are designed and built to cope with the prevailing conditions on the coast i.e. rough water.

The crew consisted of :

Stroke Leon Meadley

3 Tony Simmons

2 Jack Dean

1 Chris Browning

Gravesend Rowing Club had its largest entry in its history on Sunday 4^th October at the Maidstone Scullers Head. Fourteen of it's members entered the 3.5 km race, many of whom, this was their sculling race.

The course was from the Palace in Maidstone to the Malta Inn by Allington Lock.

The entrants ranged from the youngest members right through to some of the 'elder statesmen' of the club.

The entrants were :

Name Class Time Position in class

Stan Wingfield Veteran 17:37 2/3

Michael Pullen(Secretary) Veteran 15:53 1/2

Brian Robinson Veteran Pulled out due to injury.

Robert Lupton Veteran 15:38 3/6

Steve Webb Veteran 21:54 6/6

Sandy Johnson(Chairman) Womens S3 17:53 4/4

Andy Ray(Captain) Novice 15:27 10/26

Charlie Wilson # Novice 17:33 23/26

Tony Simmons # Novice 17:55 25/26

Nick Lowrey # Novice 17:45 24/26

Andrew Holdstock # Junior 19:29 39/41

Helen Reeves # Junior * 20:58 3/3

Eddie Reeves # Junior * 19:27 1/3

Teresa Westrap # Junior * 19:38 2/3

* Private match between Gravesend R.C. juniors

# First sculling race.

Eddie Reeves won the private match organised between some of Gravesend Rowing Clubs juniors.

Andy Ray (club Captain) got the fastest club time in this event.

Gravesend Rowing Clubs novice squad took part in their first race of the head racing season on Sunday 11^th October . They went to the St. Neots near Cambridge to take part in the St. Neots Small Boats Head. The race was over 2800 metres on the River Cam.

The first division saw Chris Browning (stroke), Tony Simmons(3), Nick Lowrey(2) and Leon Meadley entered in the Novice Coxed Fours. In this division, a crew from Christs College Cambridge not only got the fastest novice time but got the fastest time overall. Gravesend completed the course in 10:54.

The third division was the turn of the Senior Four Coxed Four; Chris Browning (stroke), Tony Simmons(3), Nigel Cropley(2) and Leon Meadley. In this division Gravesend completed the course in 10:56.

In the provisional results Gravesend came 30^th and 32^rd out of an entry of approximately 150. Although Gravesend did not come away from the event with any prizes, they were happy with the result and hope to learn from it in their next race.

Three scullers from Gravesend Rowing Club, took part in the "Marlow Long Distance Sculls" on the 25^th October. This gruelling race is 4000 metres against the current (an international racing course is only 2000 metres with no current !).

For Charlie Wilson, this was only his second sculling race, after a number of years representing Gravesend in the coxless pair.

The novice four, was disappointed to find that their race this weekend - the Upper Thames Small Boats Head at Henley, was cancelled. They are now looking forward to the Janousek Fours on the 1^st November at Chiswick.

On Sunday 28^th February, Gravesend Rowing Club entered three crews in the Janousek Small Boats Head. Racing over the 2 2/3 mile course from Chiswick Bridge to Hammersmith Bridge in London.

The weather had conspired against them and the start saw very string winds making the water very rough.

Two of the crew from the novice four - Nigel Cropley and Nick Lowrey , made their competetive debut in the coxless pair; finishing in a very respectable 14:28 (54/78). Neale Gilhooly and Charlie Willson took a break from the coxless pair to compete in the double scull (14:35 - 58/78). Michael Pullen and Brian Robinson competed in the veteran double sculls and completed the hard course in 14:47 - 62/78.

On Sunday 7^th March saw Gravesend enter six crews in the Head Of The Medway Fours, racin over the 3500 metre course.

The first division saw the a Senior 3 crew comprising of Andy Ray, Leon Meadley, Nigel Cropley and Nick Lowrey complete the course in 13:45 finishing 8^th overall (4^th in their class). A Mixed crew comprising of Charlie Willson, Mick Ramsey, Gill Gilhooly and Emma Williams (from Maidstone R.C.) completed the course in 14:10 finishing 13^th overall (1^st in their class). A Novice crew comprising of Chris Browning, Tony Simmons, Steve Webb, and Jack Dean completed the course in 14:40 finishing 22^nd overall (6^th in their class).

The second division saw a Senior 1 crew consisting of Andy Ray, Charlie Willson, Neale Gilhooly and Mick Ramsey complete the course in 14:14 finishing 15^th overall (1^st in their class). A Novice crew consisting of Chris Browning, Tony Simmons, Nick Lowrey, and Jack Dean completed the course in 14:30 finishing 16^th overall (4^th in their class). Sandy Johnson from Gravesend competed in a composite crew of Gravesend R.C., Medway Towns R.C. and Erith R.C. and completed the course in 15:11 (24^th overall, 1^st in their class), winning the fastest womens crew penant.

The club were very happy with the results, four out of the six crews entered finished in the top half of the results.

Four members of Gravesend Rowing Club entered the Veterans Scullers Head on 11^th April 1999.

Racing on the boat race course from Mortlake to Putney in single sculls, this is the largest veterans race in the country.

Brian Robinson come second in the 60+ age group (25.08).

Michael Pullen come second in the 65+ age group (26.54).

Stan Wingfield come first in the 70+ age group (no time known).

Steve Webb also completed the course (no time).

 Gravesend Rowing Club took part in the local regatta, Danson Dashes at Danson Park, Bexleyheath on the 9^th May 1999. Racing over the 500m, 2 lane course.

The following entries were made :

Junior 16 - Andrew Holdstock, beat by a Globe R.C. sculler in the final.

Novice - Steve Cason.

Steve Webb.

Senior 3 - Steve Wall, beat by a Poplar & Blackwall R.C. sculler in the final.

The previous weekend, crews from Gravesend went up to the Evesham Regatta weekend.

On Saturday, the following crews raced over the 1000m course :

On Sunday, the following crews raced over the 500m course :

Senior 3 Coxless Pairs - Nick Lowrey & Nigel Cropley.