THE first World Championships for Backwards Rowing will take place in Kingsbridge this summer.

The competition has grown out of the Crabshell Quay Regatta, the first was held in 2012 as a collaborative venture between Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club, The Crabshell Inn and Waterborn – previously Kingsbridge Estuary Stand Up Paddleboard.

The regatta was well supported by local organisations and considerable funds were raised for local charities. The regatta has been held every year since.

One of the highlights of the regatta has been a ‘backward rowing race’. This has become highly competitive, with veteran Kingsbridge sailor Brian Stephens winning every year – no pressure Brian!

In the 2016 regatta, the Regatta Organising Committee has deemed that the Backward Rowing Race will be a World Championship event, with the winner being declared the World Champion Backward Rower with a trophy and all the prestige that winning such an event will confer.

Traditional rowing sees rowers row facing away from the direction they are travelling in, so with backward rowing, you actually row ‘forwards’ – we’re a bit confused too.

The inaugural World Championship Backward Rowing will be held at the Crabshell Inn, Kingsbridge, on Sunday afternoon, July 31.

In you are interested in sponsoring any aspect of this event or would like more information, please call Paul Rossiter on: 01548 852841.