A small group of Talkin Tarn rowers made the short trip across to Hexham, the club’s nearest Regatta.

This is a very well-attended event with more than 300 races.

The River Tyne here is pretty straight, and trees along the bank do help cut down any cross-winds.

Rowers must be careful at the end of the race though, as soon after the finish line is a weir under the bridge to catch out those celebrating after a hard race.

Conditions for once were sunny and dry and some of us managed to bale silage and race on the same day which must be a record.

Lucy Sissons and Esther Rowntree have trained over the winter, and raced together several times this season, but they were both overjoyed to have their first-ever win, in the Women’s J14 double sculls races.

Keeping it in the family, Esther’s older sister Georgina then opted out of the Junior age bands and won her first race in the (adult) Women’s Novice single sculls to bring another medal home to the Rowntree household.

Harriet Graham won through several heats to win the J18 single sculls category, and then to face stiff competition of older University scullers to win the IM3 (intermediate) single was a real feat.

James Smith, to celebrate finishing his exams, teamed up with Arun Philipson from Tyne United Rowing Club to beat many older Students and win in their double sculls race.

For the adults from Tarn, this was the last local race before competing at the Masters Nationals in Nottingham next weekend.

Jo Lewis had another successful outing in her single, winning the Women’s Masters race, then Linda Watson and Gill Houston set off against stiff opposition from Durham to win the Women’s IM2 double sculls by just a few feet.

Finally, club captain Jon Britton with Dave Harte, John Pearson and Tim Morris had another close race to gain another win in the quad sculls.