JERSEY reaffirmed itself as a powerhouse in the world of beach-sprint rowing with two podium finishes at the Commonwealth Rowing Association’s 2025 Championships.
Natacha Searson and Chris Thompson claimed silver and bronze respectively in the women’s and men’s solo events in Barbados – wearing Caesarean colours once again after competing for Team GB at the World Beach Sprint Championships in October.
The duo were joined in Bridgetown by another Jersey Sport Performance Sport Programme athlete, US-based Islander Hylton Harvey, who reached the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles alongside Sarah Earles, while Ryanna Clifford gave a strong show beyond the time-trial in the under-21 women’s solo draw.
Competing against a field drawn from 14 Commonwealth nations – including Australia, South Africa, Canada and England – 2024 World Championship doubles winner Searson secured another international honour with a run to the final that gave little time for recovery.
Having qualified from the time-trial in third place, just 11 minutes split her quarter- and semi-finals and only 16 minutes were allowed before she went again in the final.
Searson won her semi-final against a Scottish rival Heather Gordon by just 0.6 seconds, following a quick dash up the beach to the finish line, but finished five seconds short in the gold-medal showdown against Australia’s defending champion Elizabeth Newell.
“Racing at the Commonwealth Championships for Jersey was really special,” she explained.
“My first international race was at the Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships in Namibia in 2022, so it was nice to compete at this event again. It was a great experience and I’m proud to put Jersey on the international podium.”
Thompson, who won bronze thanks to a B-final win over university colleague Benjamin Pechan from Vanuatu, was equally satisfied.
“The conditions were super tough to race in with temperatures of 30 degrees,” he said. “A lot of people were struggling in what is already a very intense sport with the three knockout rounds all taking place within an hour of each other.
“Coming home with the bronze was an amazing feeling, especially after the disappointment of the Worlds, where I had to watch the finals from hospital due to a bout of food poisoning the day before.
“Being able to stand on the podium wearing the Jersey flag was a truly special feeling.”
