THREE Wimbleball Rowing Club juniors competed at the Torbay Royal Regatta for the first time on Saturday.

Having to launch the boats from the beach meant they were battered by the waves, and the struggle of weaving their way through pedalos, bathers and paddle boards across Torbay to the start of the 1000-metre course meant energy was drained before the rowers even reached the start.

They faced the wash from numerous passing boats, a swell and a cross wind, making steering and balance a challenge.

The best result of the day was from the women’s J14 quad - local rowers Charlotte Enright and Becky Ansell together with Tegan Peel, Alice Middleton and Marie Lang (cox) from Dartmouth.

Having met twice in the week prior to the regatta to practice, the race itself was only the third time they had rowed together as a crew.

But they lead virtually from the start, pressed all the way by a well- drilled Castledore crew, and despite the challenging conditions the girls upped the rate and drive in the final ten strokes to pass the finish line with half a boat length lead.

Charlotte Enright also represented the club in the women’s J14 singles and the doubles with Becky Ansell, and Tom Enright rowed in the men’s J16 singles, but none managed a win.

The trio next compete at Bideford Regatta on September 5 and a week later are back at Wimbleball for the South Coast Championships.

l Pictured from the left are Alice Middleton (Dartmouth RC), Becky Ansell + Charlotte Enright (both Wimbleball RC), and Tegan Peel (Dartmouth RC).