Marlow Rowing Club played host to the opening race of the new Thames Valley Explore Rowing League on Sunday.

Despite Marlow Rowing Club’s 144 year history the inaugural event still managed to bring fresh excitement as eight crews from Marlow, Maidenhead, Reading and Staines descended on the waters.

The contest took the form of a round-robin tournament where each crew raced seven times over a 250 metre course with Staines coming out on top with five wins.

Marlow’s two crews finished a respectable joint second with Reading as the season got off to an exhilarating start.

Marlow Rowing club captain, Jonathan Walne, said: “It was great to see so many people from other clubs enjoying themselves racing at Marlow.

“The raw energy and competitiveness shown was fantastic. The newly opened Watersports Hub was at its best on Sunday.”

Altogether 28 races took place over almost four hours with even novice racers aged between 18 and 70 getting their first taste of competitive rowing on touring boats provided by Marlow and Maidenhead.

The season continues at Maidenhead Rowing Club on Sunday, November 29.