A BUMPER crowd enjoyed golden sunshine on the banks of the River Severn and soaked up the action at Bewdley RC’s biggest ever Pub and Club Regatta on Saturday.

The event had over 1,000 people descend on their riverside home, with 75 plucky crews revelling in the fun and racing, which was the biggest ever turnout in the regatta’s long history.

The tournament is specifically for newcomers to the sport to try it out and after weeks of intensive training, men and women, many in costume, took to the water.

One of the highlights of the day was 20-year regatta veteran and Bewdley resident George Carter, who celebrated his first ever win in a repechage race by diving into the water.

The regatta was also a huge financial boost for the club, with the bar taking £19,000, which was a £6,000 increase on last year.

Bewdley’s Chris Kowalik believes this year’s event was one of the best ever.

He said: “This was a record breaking year for the pub and club regatta.

“We’ve had the biggest amount of boats competing ever and had over a 1,000 people down at the event.

“Since 2008 it has really taken off and this really is the biggest event of its kind in the country.

“For the third year in a row we’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather, as it was lovely and sunny all the way through.”

The men’s race was won by a talented quartet of 16-year-olds, whose team name was The Rowpeds.

The Diddyman Devils won the women’s category and a crew dubbed the Freestylers emerged victorious in the mixed section.

Bewdley are also hoping that many of the fledgling rowers who took at the weekend part will carry on their love for the sport by joining. Last year’s Pub and Club Regatta was a big success, with many of those who came on board in 2009 going on to have a promising season competing.