The Dimboola Rowing Club hosted a successful intra-club competition on Sunday with three local crews taking to the Wimmera River in a series of two heats followed by a final of Club Doubles.

Crew One included Bill Thomson and Vicki Smithyman, Crew Two was John Nichols and Katie Waterfield and Crew Three was Lyndon Kuhne and John Honan.

The first heat was between Bill Thomson's and John Nichols' crews and was won by Thomson and Smithyman in the biggest margin of the day of one and a half lengths.

John Nichols' crew then took on Lyndon Kuhne's crew in the second heat and was successful by just half a boat length.

The winners of the two heats had both steered better courses in their respective races, as steering is obviously an important factor in these uncoxed races.

Above - Close racing between John Nichols and Katie Waterfield (left) and Bill Thomson and Vicki Smithyman.

The final was contested between Thomson's and Nichols' crews and was a much closer and better steered race, with Bill Thomson and Vicki Smithyman by far the better crew of the day although their winning margin was cut back to just half a boat length.

The morning of close racing entertained a large field of spectators.

The presentations and speeches were followed by a barbeque provided by the BBQ team lead by Lyndon Kuhne and salad team lead by Sharyn Cook.

The umpiring team lead by Jenni Brand fulfilled the important role of supervising the close races.

The Dimboola Rowing Club looks forward to hosting more of these events next season and encourages anyone interested to participate, as minimal experience is required to join in these very short local social races.


The crews that took part the races on Sunday - Left to right: Crew 3: John Honan and Lyndon Kuhne, Crew 1: Vicki Smithyman and Bill Thomson - proudly wearing their winning medals, and Crew 2: John Nichols and Katie Waterfield.