SOUTHEND Coastal Rowing Club were delighted by their displays in London’s Great River Race which also doubles up as the UK Traditional Rowing Championships.

The event attracted crews from all over the globe and is handicapped based upon the length and weight of your boat, along with the number of rowers.

As a result, Southend started in 225th place and 33 minutes behind the first boat to race the 22 miles to Richmond.

But they dug deep to finish 13th out of 350 boats in a time of two hours 33 minutes.

Southend finished seven minutes behind the overall winner and also came third in the four oared Thames-based boat category.

And chairman Pat O’Connor was proud of the club’s performances.

“For a small club like ours to achieve such a result only two years after forming is immense and we look forward to improving upon this next year,” said O’Connor.

“What was especially pleasing was to see two new members James Kelly and Sean Martin, who only took up rowing with us a matter of months ago join the crew to compliment the experience of Gerry White, Pete Johnson, Adrian Mathers and myself.

“The whole event was a great day out for spectators and rowers alike with huge crowds lining every bridge along the route.

“The crowds on Tower Bridge especially were phenomenal and it is described by the event organisers as London’s River Marathon.”

Next year Southend are hoping to be able to enter two crews and give even more up and coming rowers the opportunity to experience rowing through the heart of London.