Royal West of Scotland Boat Club welcomed teams from North Berwick, South Queensferry, Anstruther and Portobello to Greenock for their annual regatta on 2 June. The conditions were warm and sunny, but with a stiff Easterly wind blowing down the Clyde. The course involved a mile long windward leg, parallel toGreenock esplanade, turning across two buoys and then returning downwind to the start finish line. The races were a game of two halves, with the hard work being done before the turn. Whichever crew managed to round the turn first got a flyer for the return leg. With boats on the return leg going at maximum hull speed and a bit more when surfing, there was no catching those who had got the work in early. The course was shortened after the second race to fit all the races in.
North Berwick secured a win in the first race, which was for men entering mid life crisis. No shortage of those in theEast Lothian town. Anstruther’s St Ayle’s Rowing Club then started a winning streak, bringing home victories in Women’s 40+ and then, on the shortened course, in Men’s, women’s and mixed open, as well as in mixed 50+. North Berwick finally reigned in the team from the Fife town, with a win in the last race of the day, mixed 40+ . Unfortunately the pairs races, in Royal West’s fleet of clinker build boats had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions.
During the lunch break a group of young rowers from the host club (pictured below) under took a sponsored row, raising funds for a cancer charity. They went out in Royal West’s “Birdie Bowers” and also in “St Ayles”, the Anstruther skiff, and rowed the adult racing course. Well done to the next generation who raised almost £400 in the process.
There was a wild party on the Saturday night, some social rowing on the Sunday, and then a live music event on the Sunday night. Thank you to Royal West who were, as ever, very welcoming hosts.
The next regatta is at Queensferry on 17 June 2012.
