Whitby’s rowing clubs celebrated as they brought the silverware home from The Great River Race in London at the weekend.
Dubbed London’s River Marathon, the course is a gruelling 21.6 mile row from Millwall in east London to Richmond in west London.
Winning their categories were Fisherlads’ under 14s girls, under 18s boys with under 18 girls coming second in the same category.
The 21 mile rowing race from east to west London was a grueller for both adult and junior sides. Picture: SubmittedWhitby’s Friendship side was out in force in London. Picture: Submitted
Fisherlads senior men’s came third in their category and were seventh overall, while over 60s mens also won their category. The same crew won the four-oared race.
Whitby’s Friendship won the fastest female crew.
Friendship won the fastest ladies crew category at The Great River Race in London over the weekend. Picture: Submitted
Lindsay Close, from the Fisherlads club says it was a huge achievement for both clubs as they faced competition from nearly 300 other crews from across the UK and Europe.
She said: “It is a huge achievement for both clubs for sure and it is important both clubs are recognised for what they do.
Fisherlads crews with one of the trophies they claimed over the weekend. Picture: Submitted
“We were supported by parents, grandparents, friends – the whole shebang. It makes a huge difference having that, especially for me looking after junior crews so that was a massive help.
“A 21 mile race is a long way, it is a difficult race even for the adults so for the under 14s girls that has been amazing for them.”
While the rowing races were taking place, Matty Brown ran the 21.6 mile distance to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK in memory of his dad, Derek Brown.
Derek died on Regatta Sunday from prostate cancer and had rowed many times in The Great River Race as well as proudly rowing for both Fisherlads and Friendship crews over the years with his brothers Alan and Barry.
Rowers from Whitby Fishermens Rowing Club who competed in the Great River Race in London. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Whitby’s rowing clubs wrapped up their local racing season last weekend after a busy summer on the water.
The Fat Badger Races – Royal Regatta took place last Sunday, followed by food, drinks and a presentation at The Royal Hotel.
Results were as follows
Under 14 girls, Fisherlads; Under 14 boys, Fisherlads; Under 18 girls, Fisherlads; Under 18 boys, Fisherlads; Over 30s ladies, Friendship; Over 30s mens, Friendship; Over 50s ladies, Fisherlads; Over 60s ladies, Friendship; Over 50 mens, Fisherlads; Over 60s mens, Fisherlads; Senior ladies, Friendship, Senior Men’s, Friendship.
Winners overall were Fisherlads with 42 points, Friendship scored 37.
This weekend, four teams from Friendship and five teams from Fisherlads are taking part in the Great River Race in London where in the region of 300 crews from all over Europe, America and Australia take part.
Rowers were back on land tonight for the annual rowing results, awards and cup presentations following a strong weekend of rowing action.
Held at Abbey Wharf, it was Friendship who took home the most coveted cup of the Regatta – The Wilson Cup awarded for the club with the most points accumulated from all of the season’s events and regattas.
The trophies are all lined up ready to go for the Whitby Regatta rowing presentation at Abbey Wharf. Picture: Ceri Oakes
The Ken Dale trophy for the club with the most points gained in Whitby Regatta went to Friendship, The J W Coser Memorial Shield for the most points in men’s races went to Friendship and the L Hutchinson Trophy for the most points in the ladies races went to Friendship.
Full category results below…
Girls 14 and under
Runner Up – Friendship
Crew: Bella Price, Holly Owen, Summer Blackwell, Florence Watson, Dee Grady (cox) Picture: Ceri OakesGirls 14 and under
Winner – Fisherlads
Crew: Adele Barlow, Amelia Thompson, Fliss Hall, Fleur Hall, Angie Parkin (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesBoys 14 and under
Runner Up – Friendship
Crew: Ed Knaggs, Corey Eglon, Valentine Long, James Green, James Kendrew (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesBoys 14 and under
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Dev Jobling, Jimmy Winspear, Sam Bailey, Max Borrett, Laura Kendrew (cox)
Picture: Ceri Oakes
Ladies Over 50s (NOT PICTURED)
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Karen Spencer, Jackie Howard, Jo Braithwaite, Helen Myers, Yas Spencer (cox)
Ladies Over 50s
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Dee Grady, Donna Gibson, Rebecca Smith, Gill Locker, Reneya Kelly (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesMens Over 50s
Runner Up – Friendship
Crew: Dave Clarkson, Rich Harrison, Si Grant, Pete Betts, Abbie White (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesMens Over 50s
Winner – Scarborough
Crew: Simon Taylor, Russell Wilkie, Mike Newbold, Daz Sharpe, Aleisha Owao (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesJunior Under 16s Mixed
Runner Up – Friendship
Crew: Maiya Shaw, Bailey Jobling, Corey Eglon, Reneya Kelly, James Kendrew (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesJunior Under 16s Mixed Winner – Fisherlads Crew: Harry Morley (not pictured), Isaac Harrison, Fliss Hall, Fleur Hall, Angie Parkin (cox) Picture: Ceri Oakes
Senior Mixed 17 plus (NOT PICTURED)
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Julie Morley, Ryan Lowther, Andrew Morley, Emma Currell, Jo Braithwaite (cox)
Senior Mixed 17 plus
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Donna Sneddon, John Ward, James Kendrew, Becci Boocock, Reneya Kelly (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Over 30
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Claire Morrison, Claire Barnett, Angie Hutchinson, Lindsay Close, Angie Parkin (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Over 30
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Laura Kendrew, Becci Boocock, Donna Sneddon, Lynne Fletcher, Edie Young (cox)
Picture: Ceri Oakes
Mens Over 30s (NOT PICTURED)
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Dan Winspear, Ryan Lowther, Andrew Morley, Jason Jeffries, Jo Braithwaite (cox)
Mens Over 30s
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Adam Young, John Ward, James Kendrew, Kenny Paling, Edie Young (cox) and Nancy Young
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Over 30
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Laura Kendrew, Becci Boocock, Donna Sneddon, Lynne Fletcher, Edie Young (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesGirls Under 16
Winner – Fisherlads
Crew: Nevaeh Ingles, Amanda Thompson, Fliss Hall, Fleur Hall, Angie Parkin (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesBoys Under 16
Runner Up – Friendship
Crew: Jimmy Winspear, Dev Jobling, Max Borrett, Sam Bailey, Laura Kendrew (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesBoys Under 16 Winner – Fisherlads Crew: Freddy Hutchinson, Matt Visker, Isaac Harrison, Luca Hutchinson, Rob Parkin (cox) Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Over 60
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Gill Locker, Rebecca Smith, Donna Gibson, Dee Grady, Reneya Kelly (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesMens Over 60
Runner Up – Friendship
Crew: Kex Wilson, Adrian Locker, Keith Locker, Stuart Myers (not pictured), Edie Young (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesMens Over 60
Winner – Fisherlads
Crew: Pete Betts, Si Grant, Rich Harrison, Dave Clarkson, Abbie White (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Under 23s
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Ellie Parkin, Jess Brown, Chloe Hutchinson, Fiona Price, Rob Parkin (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Under 23s
Winner – Fisherlads
Crew: Lola Wally, Maisy Squire, Mallailah Pollard, Alex Garrett, Jamie Fuller (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesMens Under 23
Runner Up – Friendship
Crew: Taylor Locker, Brad Dowson, Bailey Jobling, Tyler White, James Kendrew (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesMens Under 23
Winner – Fisherlads
Crew: Joey Heselton, Daniel Grainger, Matthew Visker, Luca Hutchinson, Rob Parkin (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Over 40
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Claire Morrison, Claire Barnett, Angie Hutchinson, Angie Parkin, Rob Parkin (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Over 40
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Laura Kendrew, Lynne Fletcher, Donna Sneddon, Rebecca Smith, Edie Young (cox) and Fern Kendrew and Isla Sneddon
Picture: Ceri Oakes
Mens Over 40 (NOT PICTURED)
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Graham Fuller, Mark Davis, Ben Libby, Mark Harland, Yas Spencer (cox)
Mens Over 40 Winner – Scarborough Crew: Will Roberts, Russell Wilke, Simon Taylor, Darren Sharpe, Kelly Betts (cox) Picture: Ceri OakesGirls Under 18
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Fleur Hall, Fliss Hall, Amelia Thompson, Emma Welford, Jamie Fuller (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesBoys Under 18
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Archie Locker, Isaac Harrison, Dan Ainsworth, Freddy Hutchinson, Jamie Fuller (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesBoys Under 18
Winner – Winner
Crew: Joey Heselton, Dan Grainger, Matt Visker, Luca Hutchinson, Rob Parkin (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Senior
Runner Up – Fisherlads
Crew: Lindsay Close, Angie Hutchinson, Claire Barnett, Claire Morrison, Angie Parkin (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesLadies Senior
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Isobel Wilson, Donna Sneddon, Becci Wilcock, Laura Kendrew, Gracie McLoughlin (cox) and Fern Kendrew and Isla Sneddon
Picture: Ceri OakesMens Senior
Runner Up
Crew: Dan Winspear, Ryan Lowther (not pictured), Andrew Morley (not pictured), Jason Jeffries (not pictured), Jo Braithwaite (cox)
Picture: Ceri OakesMens Senior
Winner – Friendship
Crew: Adam Young, John Ward, James Kendrew, Kenny Paling, Gracie McLoughlin (cox) and Jesse Paling, Mila Kendrew and Nancy Young
Picture: Ceri OakesLaura Kendrew with the L Hutchinson Memorial Trophy awarded to the club with the most points in ladies races. Picture: Ceri OakesEmma Tyreman with the J.W Coser Memorial Shield awarded to the club with the most points in men’s races. Picture: Ceri OakesMichael Weatherill with the Ken Dale Trophy for the club with the most points in Whitby Regatta. Picture: Ceri Oakes
It might be more than two months away but preparations for the fiercely contested Regatta rowing races officially got underway this weekend.
After weeks of practice, and even some emergency training from the crew at Whitby RNLI, the town split into its sides.
Red or blue? Friendship or Fisherlads.
Rowing boats line the beach during the Coronation Cup. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Driven by family tradition, chance or coincidence – whatever the reason behind the club you choose, the rivalry is now on.
The first races of the 2026 rowing season kicked off on Saturday and continued throughout the weekend with Fisherlads taking home the cup for the ladies and Friendship winning overall in the men’s category.
It was a close contest overall with Friendship winning by just one point.
An aerial shot of the Coronation Cup captured by Bradley Dowson.
Results and names are as supplied by clubs.
SATURDAY
Mens Over 40s
Friendship (Falcon) – Adam Young, Anj Web Ellis, Jens Archer, Matt Harrison, Edie Young (cox).
Scarborough (Keith Marshall) – Will Roberts, Russell Witaie, Mike Newbold, Daz Sharp, Esta Wallace (cox).
Friendship (Pegasus) – Chris Watson, Mark Young , Rich Harrison , Garry Sharpe, Reneya Kelly (cox)
Ladies Over 40s
Friendship (Pegasus) – Laura Kendrew, Lynne Fletcher , Donna Snedden , Rebecca Smith, Gracie Mcgloughin (cox)
Fisherlads (Blue Marlin) – Kirsty Haunch, Carol Parkin, Lois Borrett, Nicola Moxom-Lumb, Alex Garrett (cox)
Boys Under 18/Under 23
Fisherlads (Blue Marlin) – Luca Hutchinson, Matt Visker, Daniel Grainger, Joey Hesleton, Andrew Hesleton (cox)
Fisherlads (Gemini) – Freddy Hutchinson, Daniel Ainsworth, Kane Gravet, Jacob Moura, Jamie Fuller (cox)
Friendship – Dev Joblin, Max Borett, Jimmy Winspear, Max Law, Kev Wilson (cox) Also 2. In U18 Friendship – Dev Joblin, Max Borett, Jimmy Winspear , Max Law, Kev Wilson (cox)
The following images have been kindly supplied by Emma Sharpe https://emmasharpe.myportfolio.com
Celebrating at the trophy presentation. Picture: Emma SharpeSunday’s trophy presentation at the Coronation Cup. Picture: Emma SharpeCelebrating results during the Coronation Cup. Picture: Emma SharpeSunday’s trophy presentation for the Coronation Cup. Picture: Emma SharpeGoing head to head in the Sunday rowing races during the Coronation Cup. Picture: Emma SharpeA team photo the Sunday rowing races during the Coronation Cup. Picture: Emma SharpeAction from the Sunday rowing races during the Coronation Cup. Picture: Emma SharpeAction from the Sunday rowing races during the Coronation Cup. Picture: Emma SharpeAction from the Sunday rowing races during the Coronation Cup. Picture: Emma Sharpe
Whitby rowing clubs have joined forces with the RNLI to hold essential life-saving exercises for their younger members ahead of the forthcoming race season.
Whitby Fisherman’s and Whitby Friendship Amateur Rowing clubs invited their younger members down for a hands-on session in the water, in particular to prepare them for what to do should they capsize while out at sea.
Whitby RNLI in a joint water safety exercise with youngsters from Whitby’s two rowing clubs, Friendship and Fishermen’s.
Coxswain at Whitby Lifeboat Station, Richard Dowson said: “We had a debrief at the station with both clubs and explained about cold water shock. This is when you enter the water unexpectedly and the body goes into shock which can affect your breathing and lead to someone getting into serious difficulties.
“We talked to the rowers about Float To Live, the RNLI’s advice for anyone who enters the water unexpectedly. We then put these skills to the test by taking them into the water on their rowing boats, filling them with water and submerging the boats.
“The kids were fantastic, there were a few screams as the cold water flooded in but they all took it in their stride and did really well.”
Whitby RNLI crew simulated a boat capsize in the harbour. youngsters from Whitby’s two rowing clubs, Friendship and Fishermen’s.
The RNLI’s Float to Live advice is useful for anyone, regardless of how you use the water. It has helped save the lives of more than 50 people from children in rip currents to runners falling into canals, people swept out by waves and fishermen overboard.
The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally and gently move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to.
Whitby RNLI taught young rowers its Float to Live safety advice during the session.
Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability. Don’t worry if your legs sink, everyone floats differently. Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.
Lindsay Close, captain of The Fisherman’s team added: “It is really great to see the two clubs, who compete at sea, coming together for this session.”
A charity for children and young people with disabilities and special needs across Whitby and the Esk Valley has been boosted by a donation of £1,500 after local rowers covered a distance equivalent to rowing to Copenhagen in a day.
The cash was handed over by the Whitby Friendship Amateur Rowing Club following a rowathon last month where members, volunteers and local supporters took turns on rowing machines to cover a distance of more than 880,000 metres – which would get you from Whitby to the Danish capital as the crow flies.
Funds raised will go directly towards WHISH activities for the 200 children and young people it works with.
Friendship rowing club members present a cheque for £1500 raised at a rowathon, for Whish, Whitby. Submitted picture.
The charity says there is strong interest in expanding gardening activities because children are keen to grow their own fruit and vegetables, helping them develop practical life skills, teamwork and an understanding of healthy eating and sustainability.
Steve Bremner, WHISH Chairperson, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at the Friendship Rowing Club for their outstanding effort and generosity. To row 886,000 metres and raise £1500 is a remarkable achievement. It will make a real difference to the people we support. Their commitment and community spirit are truly inspiring and we cannot thank them enough.”
