This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Exmouth Rowing Club, and members celebrated in fitting style with a day of games, outings, and sundry competitions on the water, writes Graham Hurley.

Club Chair Richard Robinson, still in recovery after the evening’s revels, was proud of the efforts of ERC’s exploding membership, and of fellow bladesmen from Plymouth, Hayling Island, and Annecy’s distinguished Club d’Aviron, who made the journey to Exmouth to add yet more colour to the occasion.

“The day was scored for a series of races,” said Richard. “We drew crews from a hat to ensure a mix of ages and ability and then set off in three-boat packages with more hungry rowers in pursuit.

“The course took us round the Twelve Buoy and then back home, which isn’t the longest race in the world, but you’re fighting the tide on one of the legs and our guys are wired for any kind of competition. What I dreaded was a procession but thankfully it was anything but.”

After the elimination rounds, and a fiercely contested semi-final, the last race of the day saw Richard’s own crew cross the line as Anniversary winners.

“Our crew was the perfect rationale for the whole event,” said ERC’s chair. “Two oldies and boldies, Steve Hughes and myself, one French rower from Annecy, an ex-Club Chairman in the shape of Tony Crowhurst, plus Tim Fennimore. The spirit of the entire club compressed into a single crew. Brilliant.”

The day ended with a speech of congratulations from Richard, a club feast washed down with liberal drafts of ale, and much laughter. At midnight, fittingly, glass were raised to the memory of the legendary Geoff Hammond, a man of rare grace and talent from Plymouth’s Mayflower Club. Geoff died exactly four years ago and much missed on a day he would have relished.

Exmouth Rowing Club formed in 1993 and has become a hugely popular member of the local sporting community, bringing the skills and traditions of estuary and sea rowing to the town.

New members are welcomed with open arms, with training sessions tailored to different levels of experience. It has been three years of growth, development and big laughs at ERC, and everyone is looking to the next 30, and more.