A DOZEN rowing clubs from across the region battled for supremacy at Hamworthy Park on Saturday as the 2014 Poole Town Regatta took to the water.

The colourful event, hosted by Poole Amateur Rowing Club (PARC), boasted a full programme of exciting racing across numerous categories.

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Marie Tudor, of PARC, told the Daily Echo there were around 300 rowers taking part in the event, which attracted hundreds of spectators.

She added: “It can be very, very competitive - they're all racing against one another. We train all through the winter and summer, and coastal rowing obviously takes place in all conditions, so it is a lot of hard work.

“But it is also fun for social rowers, we have a bar open right now and we're also raffling off some copies of our calendar signed by Steve Redgrave and James Cracknell today.

“We do have lots of families getting involved in the club - it is not just competitive rowing. You can just come along and help out, race a little bit if you want or just row socially.

“We try to organise fun days, including rowing around Brownsea Island and fun races.”

Poole Amateur Rowing Club, founded in 1873, has male and females members, aged 13 to over 50.

A club spokesman explained: “Everyone is welcome and we love to see new faces of any age or ability, from complete beginners through to more experienced rowers.

“As well as being a competitive club we also have a large social aspect which involves social rowing days, junior rowing nights and an open bar at the weekends.”

Visit poolerowingclub.co.uk for details.