THE Castle Inn Rowers of Holcombe are proudly flying the purple colours of Rowcroft Hospice this season as the club combines racing, community spirit and fundraising on the River Teign.

Based at Shaldon Beach, the club operates three Seine boats and has built a strong membership of social and competitive rowers. This year, the club has chosen Rowcroft as its charity partner and hopes to raise as much money as possible throughout the racing season.

Castle Inn Rowers have entered multiple crews into the 2026 River Teign Seine Racing Series, including a Super-Vets Men’s team, a Vets and Super Vets Ladies team, and three mixed crews. One of the mixed teams has fittingly adopted the name “The Rowcrofters” in support of the charity.

The season is already underway, with the men’s and ladies’ crews having competed in the opening two races of the series. The mixed crews begin their campaign on Wednesday, June 17.

Support for the club is highly visible along Shaldon Beach and Back Beach in Teignmouth, where family members, friends and supporters regularly gather to cheer on the crews. Armed with pom-poms and plenty of enthusiasm, supporters create a fantastic atmosphere as boats battle towards the finish line.

Among the standout stories this year is the remarkable achievement of Rex, who continues to race strongly at the age of 83 as part of the men’s crew.

This season also marks the first time the club has fielded a Ladies Super Vets crew, who have impressed with their determination and competitive spirit against established teams in the series.

While the racing remains fiercely contested, club members say the season is ultimately about friendship, enjoyment and community fundraising. Following a successful year supporting ELF (Exeter Leukaemia Fund) in 2025, the rowers are now hoping to make a significant contribution to Rowcroft Hospice during the 2026 campaign.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to keep an eye out for the club’s distinctive purple shirts around Shaldon and Teignmouth throughout the summer.

Race three of the Teign Seine Racing Series takes place on June 13.