UKSRL Open Championship
26th July 2008, Saunton Sands, North Devon

Conditions:
Surf – 2ft
Visibility – clear
Temperature – 26oC
Wind – Onshore breeze
Water – hot!

After the difficulties encountered in Round 2 of the league with swell and Round 3 with surf skills the Molesey Maruaders surf rowing crew was determined to prove their worth in the Open Championship.

It is only fair to say that sweep Ed Boyns, had struggled in conditions of the last 2 rounds of the league but had learnt from his mistakes to allow Molesey to shine at the Open Champs on Saunton Sands on a hot summers day in late July 2008.

Winning their 1st heat, coming 2nd in the 2nd heat and finishing 5th in the 3rd heat, we were reminded that surf rowing wasn’t only about pure rowing ability but also surf skills and a little luck.

This was the first time that the full crew had come together this season in preparation for Ocean Thunder Europe in Biarritz in September.

Going through to the semi finals was a must for this weekend and a place in the A final was desirable but we hadn’t given much thought to medals.

Back in 2007 Molesey dipped their toe in the water of surf rowing by attending the UK Surf Rowing Championships on Saunton Sands in Devon.  We fielded 2 mens crews, 3 womens crews and had a composite with Twickenham Rowing Club.  In their first ever surf rowing event the Molesey Marauders of Richard Hopkirk, Gavin Weeks, Max Stallard and Tom Brett won the B final.  This was a good first result given the broad range of additional skills that are required to compete in the surf of which, in comparison to the other crews in the event, Molesey had little of.