3.30pm AND THERE'S A WINNER!
Congratulations to Braney's and Row Farah - our first two boats home, with A Very Good Row and Stroke of Genius are closing in on the finish line too ⭐️⭐️⭐️

1.10pm Ruckinge/Bilsington Update... It's hot and the sandwiches are running out, but the crews are doing us proud and still paddling/rowing. With Braney's still out in front, Stroke of Genius have picked up the pace. Allegedly there is bad singing going on in The Flying Manc, family/friend support crews are lobbing supplies of water/snacks off bridges into boats, while The Grovellers would like to bring on some subs... If you see our boats, give them a cheer and tell them they are nearly there...

10.15am Church Rd Kenardington - 5 crews through, with Braney's establishing a lead with Stroke of Genius in second. A very Good Row in third, after a cheeky overtake on the inside while Usain Boat untangled some weeds..... Folc-ing Idiots in fifth. Lots of weeds/reeds/ducks to encounter on the next stretch... crews going well so far!

7.05am Hythe... and they're off! Our crews are on the bus, heading for Rye. Boats in the water by 8am.

4 person crews. 10 boats. 24 miles. 1 Day. A sponsored challenge to row the Royal Military Canal from Rye to Hythe for community sport.

We're expecting the first crews to arrive at the Ladies Walk Bridge Finish Line at around 4pm, where there'll be a BBQ, bouncy castle and family celebration If you see our boats out on the canal give them a wave/shout out/biscuit... they need all of our support! Come down to the club to wave a flag and welcome them home!

Back a Boat and reward a crew with your sponsorship:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-royal-row

Hythe Cricket & Squash Club has teamed up with local construction company AW Construction to revive a Hythe rowing tradition with The Royal Row – a unique endurance challenge taking place during the final weekend of the Hythe Sports Festival.

Crews of footballers, cricketers, squash and racketball players, alongside AW Construction staff, will attempt to row 24 miles in traditional wooden boats from Rye to Hythe in a single day. Many haven’t been in a rowing boat for years.

Twenty-four miles is a long way.

Every crew wants to cross the finish line to a hero’s welcome. Every crew wants to top the sponsorship leaderboard. And, let’s be honest, every crew wants to win.

Whether you’re walking, cycling or relaxing by the canal, we’d love you to cheer the crews on along the route. Keep an eye on HCSC social media channels for live location updates.
Help Raise £10,000 for Community Sport.

Every crew is seeking sponsorship, and the fundraising competition is almost as fierce as the rowing.

Funds raised will help Hythe Cricket & Squash Club continue to provide opportunities for people of all ages to play football, cricket, squash and racketball in a safe and welcoming place.

£10,000 could fund coaching sessions and opportunities for more local people to enjoy sport, and help turn our ageing clubhouse into a more comfortable inclusive building.
If we reach our £10,000 target, we may be able to unlock additional investment from Sport England, doubling our money. Every donation counts. Every pound raised will help more local people enjoy playing sport, regardless of age, experience or background.

We expect blisters, tears, drama, questionable rowing techniques, endless demands for snacks and at least one team claiming they took a wrong turn.

Back a Boat. Sponsor their challenge. Cheer them on. Let’s get every boat across that finish line and raise a shed load of cash for community sport.

The Royal Row would not be possible without the support of Tom Locke, Karen Checksfield and colleagues at AW Construction, and HCSC Club Manager Tobie Davies.

Huge appreciation to Hythe Town Council and The Hythe Venetian Fete Society for their support and loan of the boats.