We again managed to get a men's team together (only just) to enter the World Seine Boat Championships at Teignmouth. The Minehead Mavericks entered with the sole aim of not coming last this year!
The crew above, Dave Legg, Phil Sanderson, John Sanderson (Cox), David Mainwaring, Martin Shoots.
Although we only ever row Seine boats once a year - who else would row a boat like that for fun! We had a secret training plan schedule which at least two of us stuck to; 2km on the Concept2, a Sauna, another 2km on the Concept2, 8 pints of lager, 2 Nurofen, a pint of milk, and a good nights sleep. This strict regime was repeated 4 times a weeks. With such a brilliantly planned training schedule how could we fail!
Well the weather was wet and windy and the Sea was rough - 2 ladies crews broke oars just launching! We managed to get off the beach only taking one wave on board - 10 minutes of bailing later we were at the start line for our first heat. What a start - within 2 minutes we had a boat behind us and one right along side.
Quote1 of the year from Mr Legg " not too fast lads - we don't want to make the Quarter finals !!" (too much Nurofen I think).
Well we finished our first heat fourth out of five, and we had even beaten another crew on time - we were in the Plate Race and there was only 2 faster crews in the draw!
Quote2 of the year from Mr Legg " Oh bother - we will probably have to stay to the prize giving".
Our race done on Saturday we then went straight back into our strict training regime. But as we had no easy access to a Concept2 or a Sauna we concentrated on the later part.
Well the Plate Race came and to our panic we found we were drawn in the outside lane. This meant we needed a quick start to get in front of the other boats before the first mark. Did we manage it?
No. We rowed as hard as we could but we still came last!
Many thanks to Teignmouth for putting on the event, we had great fun again. And who knows maybe next year.