More than 1,200 spectators and 470 rowers took part in Saturday’s 29th annual Mathews Regatta at Williams Wharf.

Due to gusting winds, coaches Tim Ulsaker and Vernon Rowe decided to reverse the race course and race off a protected part of the southwest shore, which gave crews a calm start and first 500 meters, followed by a rough but manageable remainder. Only varsity-level events were run with singles and all novice events except the eights cancelled.

Mathews and Mobjack Rowing entered nine of the 28 remaining events finishing with two golds, three silvers, three bronze and one fourth-place finish.

The first race of the day had Lady Devils Taylor Hummel, Katelyn James, Olivia Wood, Rachel Witt and coxswain Lily Baucom testing the waters in the women’s varsity four where they came in second to J.E.B. Stuart, finishing ahead of First Colonial, Great Bridge and Princess Anne.

It was determined that their race was manageable and thus the regatta was continued. Later in the...