AROUND 1,500 competitors braved the wet weather to take part in Bewdley Rowing Club's annual regatta last weekend.

Showers failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the 275 crews who competed on Saturday and the 292 crews who participated on Sunday.

Stourport Boat Club led the way with 15 wins with Thames-based Wallingford gaining 13 wins and Worcester coming third with 12. Hosts Bewdley managed three wins with composite crews.

Wyre Forest teenager Zoe Compton was the local star of the show. The 14-year-old celebrated a couple of victories each day for her club Worcester.

Bewdley's shining light was David Merchant who returned from Oxford Brookes University to spare the host club's blushes by triumphing in a pair on Saturday and as part of a four on Sunday.

Regatta secretary Anne O'Connell said the regatta had been an overwhelming success for Bewdley from an organisational point of view -- but they would have liked more success on the water.

"It was a very successful weekend enjoyed by all of the rowers and the spectators," she said.

"On the Sunday it was really damp and soggy so we'll be hoping for better weather next year.

"Well done to Stourport for winning so many races. It's their regatta soon so we'll be hoping to do a bit better ourselves there."

Stourport Boat Club host their regatta on August 13 and 14.