Newquay Men’s County Championships 2026
Write up by Keith Avant.
The Portland Newquay men’s crews were anxiously pouring over weather apps and reports in the days leading up to the championships concerned that a bout of high wind may scupper their competition. On the Thursday before the event the organisers gave the green light and it was all systems go for the Newquay men’s county championships with the draw being published. The county championships follows a different format to usual regattas with a knock out style format and a pool of boats which are also drawn.
The men made their way down to and checked into their accommodation ready for Saturday morning. Upon meeting at Newquay Harbour on Saturday, it was clear that the wind was still strong and would play a role in shaping the weekend and sea state. A light drizzle didn’t dampen the mood, but it was evident from the many surfers that there was a swell running that would add a dimension to the racing.
It was brought up at the coxes meeting that the initial plans had changed owing to predicted stiffening winds and that the 2nd round was being dropped so an extra layer of jeopardy was introduced to the championships. The new format would be that instead of the first two in each of the 13 heats going straight through and the 3rd and 4th placings going through to the 2nd round. The top 3 would go straight into the quarter finals and the 2nd round was being dropped from the championships.
First up was Portland B rowing in “Harbour Spirit” from Boscastle based Harbour Rowing Club. Coxed by Abbie Francis– 1, Tony Boyle, Keith Brown 3,Barry (St Agnes) 4, Hayden Francis 5, Josh (Coxside) 6, Matt Ryan-East.
Abbie settled the gig nicely in the middle of the pack as they waited the starters call. Once there was a clean line the starter got the race underway. Portland B settled off along the first leg into a challenging sea. Caradon A made the early running, with Rock A, Truro A and Cadgewidth B in a line a short distance behind. With Portland B in a race with Falmouth E and Hayle A. As the race progressed it was clear that there was a really high standard to the heat. Once Portland B had successfully navigated the first turn they made headway along the back straight into a significant swell. Upon coming out of the 2nd turn it was apparent that Portland B were in a real race with the young Falmouth E team. Experience triumphed over youth as Portland rowing at 31 strokes per minute started to inch their way on Falmouth in “Ada” rowing at 41 strokes a minute. Just pipping them on approach to the line finishing 6 of 7. Qualification to the quarter final was not achieved but the Portland B crew had represented the club admirably with some great rowing and never say die spirit.
Next up was Portland A, rowing in “Killigerran” from Roseland and coxed by Trudy Comben. 1, Uriah Gabriel 2, Chris Webb 3, Keith Avant 4, Simon Walker 5, Max Gordon 6, Rob Lennis. There was some confusion on the line when Charlestown B in “Harbour Spirit” failed to get into their correct berth and forced Trudy into the outside berth. The start was called and off the boats went. Portland A struggled to settle into the boat, conditions and race and battled along the first leg to the turn. At the first mark Portland A were in 4th position in a tight pack of 3 boats along with Charlestown B & Harbour Rowing Club. Trudy kept pushing the crew on as the headed along the lively back straight to the 2nd turn still in a tight pack of 4 boats. Trudy held “Killigerran” tight to the mark on the final turn which gave the advantage and dropped Harbour A in “Speedwell” behind. Once away from the mark Portland A made a charge on Charlestown B and clawed back some of the advantage although finishing strong Portland A could not quite make a move on Harbour A and had to settle for 3rd and qualification into round 2.
Trudy felt that Charlestown had gained an advantage by not being in the correct berth and the positions would have been different if the correct berths were followed so once ashore promptly registered a protest with race control. The adjudicators took a while to review evidence and talk to the starter and once the Tannoy called out for Trudy to return to race control the excitement was palpable. Trudy returned to inform the elated crew that the protest and been upheld, so Charlestown B dropped to 3rd and Portland A went to 2nd in the heat and straight through to the quarter finals on the Sunday.
The Quarter Final draw was broadcast in the evening and the size of the task to qualify from the quarter final became evident, Portland A were drawn in a heat of 5 alongside, Looe A, Rock A Charlestown & Truro A, real heavyweights of the gig rowing scene with Looe, Charlestown & Truro all being Isle of Scilly World Pilot Gig Championship top 12 teams. Portland were drawn Boat “Killigerran” again whose bright red hull matched the club kit worn by the men.
Portland A amassed at the small beach by Newquay harbour on the Sunday ready to do battle once more, although slightly daunted by the company they were racing against they were determined to do Portland Proud. As they rowed out the Harbour, Portland rower Keith Brown played a rendition on the bagpipes which fitted the evocative Cornish scene beautifully and raised generous comments from the event PA and spectators.
Portland lined up in Berth 4 and waited for the starter’s orders, then they were off. The quality of Looe, Charlestown & Truro was quickly shown as they broke away towards the first mark. Portland A and Rock were alongside each other going into the first mark and Rock had water over Portland and an advantage, however Trudy used all her years of coxing prowess to take the turn slightly wide on the way in and then cut across the back of Rock rowing in gig “Penarrow”. As the gigs straightened up towards the 2nd mark it was clear for all in the boat, those watching from the harbour wall and the live stream that there was a real race on for 4th. Rock tried to come back along the back straight however the Portland A crew had enough to hold them off going on the inside at the 2nd turn and then stretching their lead over Rock and cementing a Quarter Final 4th position
Once back on the beach the Portland A & B crews toasted the most successful weekend ever at the Newquay men’s county championships which typified the fantastic year the men have had under the stewardship of Captain Hayden Francis.
Attention now turns towards the National County Championships hosted at Coxside, Plymouth where Portland rowers are representing the county across all ages categories .
