Regatta fun at Bexhill

Drawn from such diverse groups as Bexhill High School, St Mary's School, The Castle Pub and the Fire Brigade, the intrepid rowers represented teams such as Sink or Swim, The Golden Girls and Fat Boys Not So Slim.

Each crew had been coached on land by a senior member of the Bexhill Rowing Club prior to racing, although, for some crews, the dry land coaching seemed a better option than the choppy sea. The first four races saw close competition as the crews adjusted to the rough conditions.

The semi finals identified which crews looked like potential winners. It was in the semi finals that one of the Fire Brigade's two crews, Kermit & Co, feeling the need to be surrounded by water, managed to turn their craft over. The crew, rescued by the Hastings and St Leonard's Lifeguard's, were helped to shore with no injuries.

The final saw Sink or Swim, Peas in a Pod, Lost at Sea and Awesome Foursome race out for the 2003 title. After a false start by the Peas in a Pod crew, the Fire Brigade crew of Andy Linge, Dean McFaite, Alan Thompson, Mick Holloway and coxed by Mark Mitchell, produced a fine performance to win the event.

The event raised 300 towards much-needed new equipment for the rowing club.