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to get to and from competitions. The coaches go on courses to make sure they know how to get everyone up to national racing standards which is another ex- pense. “The committee works hard to get sponsorship and grants. We have just bought a £17,000 skiff. We managed to secure a £10,000 grant from Sports Aid for that one.” Steve remembers when he first joined the club 40 odd years ago and they paid £36 for a new boat: “How times have changed! They are all modern high tech carbon fibre now though and really do stand the test of time.” Steve says it’s quite an achieve-
ment for a local club to have lasted 150 years: “I think it’s because we do have a lot of commitment from young people who keep going through the ranks. The committee members are great and we have a lot of support in the town. We also have a healthy competitive spirit which keeps the club alive.” He says a lot of hard work goes on in the
background. The secretary starts getting ready for regatta months in advance, sorting through the en- tries, creating the racing schedule and organising the trophies. They get entries from around the coun- try – Southampton, Folkestone, Bexhill. “I hope the club will be go- ing in another 150 years. Obviously I wont be here to see it!”
“It’s quite an achievement for a local club to have lasted 150 years.”
Steve’s life changed quite dra-
matically seven years ago when he was contacted by his half brother and sister: “I’ve known about them all my life, but they only recently learnt about me! My sister lives in Australia and my brother in Van- couver. When I grew up my mum moved to Australia, got together with another man and had two children out there.” He says it’s been a great seven years as he has been
to Australia to visit his sister Jill and she and his brother John have been to Dartmouth to pay him a visit. “I talk on the phone to them most Sundays. You just have to get the timings right as one I need to talk to early and the other late!” Steve and Susan live in Stoke
Fleming – it means he has to get up at 6am every day to get into work for 7.15am, but he says it’s worth it: “We’ve lived there 18 years now and I’ve got used to the country way of life! We can walk to Blackpool Sands from our house and I like the quiet; I just switch off out there with our two cats Pudsey and CoCo.”
The rowing club is always looking for keen rowers. Anyone can join whether you used to race in a previous club or have never been in a boat before. - see
http://dartmouthrowingclub.co.uk
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