Round the Island Race 2025 (Rowing, Hayling Island)

Published 10:50 on 2 Jul 2025

On Sunday 29th June the DQ Men's Rowing Crew set out to defend the winning title they took in 2024 at the RHIR.

Rowers Nigel Foster, Andrew Graham, Andrew Buchanan and James Hooper and their well established Coxwain, Nikki Buchanan undertook the 13.5 mile, multi class challenge in their Celtic Longboat "Seafox".

The fleet, which included Celtic Longboats, Bursledon Gigs, Cornish Gigs and other four oared vessels were set off in individual classes according to handicap at one minute intervals and were judged against the "Ouse Yardstick" handicap system which is now adopted within the "Three Harbours" rowing community.

Poor VHF radio reception once on the water set Seafox off to a poor start. However, the crew quickly consolidated and set to work, hunting down those boats which crossed the start line further up the fleet. Consistent pressure paid dividends as the DQ crew steadily improved their position and by the last 2 kilometres there were only 3 boats to beat.

Despite the extreme heat of the day, the crew "turned the screw" at this stage and took convincing finish line honours. Their winning time was some four minutes quicker than that set in 2024.

The haul of trophies included Fastest in Class ( Celtic Longboat), Fastest Supervets (Over 60's average age of crew) and Winners overall.

DQ rowers next event will be the "Cockleshell Challenge" on 19th July, when our mixed crew will race over 8 miles from Eastney around Horse Sands Fort in the Solent.

The DQ Row Challenge Group is keen to recruit aspiring racers. We train every Thursday and on alternate Sundays. Please contact Nigel Foster for more information if you are interested