REGATTA fun at Shaldon kicked off with the traditional long distance row from Dawlish, and this year it was a thriller, writes John Ware. The winners were Patrick Gaskin and Andy Darkin, who took the Chirney Cup after making a late spurt from third place to pip Tommy Stoyle and Ed Rawlings in an exciting finish. Sue Heath and Harriet Langworthy were the first ladies home, beating off a challenge from Sue Astbury and Jane Stoyle, to win the Sarah Jane Cup for ladies' pairs and sharing the Gribble Trophy for the first woman across the line. They also managed to beat the mixed pair of Chris Connell and Catherine Lovell, who received the Deborah Tosio Memorial Trophy for their efforts, after a close race with Felicity Rawlings and Simon Hallworth. The official opening on Sunday after the row was performed by the regatta chairman, Mark Pile, and the entertainment continued well into the evening, with plenty of Pimms for the lady rowers, and beer for the gents. Other events this week included sailing at sea, and Shaldon's Happy Go Lucky Water Sports, where many of the younger competitors showed their competitive spirit by undertaking a dip in Shaldon Pool in perfect conditions on the top of the tide. The keenly contested beach rounders for the Simons Trophy saw a record entry of 17 teams battle it out over four hours, in a cracking competition played in good spirits. The final was a fast, close affair between a team of regular visitors, the Wannabums, and the local Dagmar Devils, who came out tops. The beach volleyball for the Mariners Weigh Shield was fought in the same keen but fair spirit, with the local Ferryboat Inn team beating the pink clad Brummies by two games to one in one of the best finals seen for years. The regatta continues over the weekend, and finishes on Monday with more fun events, plus rowing and sailing.