Archive for category News
Cumbrae 14 and 15 August
GalGael are hosting a festival on the Isle of Cumbrae on the weekend of 14/15th August. They would love as many skiffs as possible to attend this international event, which is the first of its kind to be held. There will be visiting traditional coastal rowing boats visiting from Spain,Portugal, Ireland and we hope france and this will provide everyone with an opportunity to meet likeminded people from far and wide.The visiting international crews are all keen to have a go in the skiffs and would love folk to have a go in their boats. If any skiffies would like to take part then could you please let Martin Hughes at Galgael know asap.
Eyemouth Skiff Launching Sunday 11 July
Eyemouth are very confident, and are challenging local skiffs to take them on within 45 minutes of their launch! Eyemouth are putting on skiff races in the three categories: mens, womens and mixed open crews. Enjoy their Herring Festival on 11 July:
1:15pm Launch by the newly crowned Herring Queen followed by a blessing by George Shaw
2pm Races commence either in the bay or a time trial in the harbour if weather is not good. http://www.berwickshirecoast.org.uk/
Congratulations to Portsoy Winners
Safe to say that everyone was a winner. The skiff racing at Portsoy was a fantastic event in wonderful weather.
It was at Portsoy last year that promotion really started for the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project, with Iain Oughtred still working away at his drawing board. It was fantastic to see six skiffs racing at the event, especially with the knowledge that many more are already in build.
Recognition of the attention that the project has received can be seen from the fact that Scotland’s First minister came along in order to watch our racing and present the prizes. Every one was a winner, but some are more winner than others, so congratulations to Port Seton for winning three events: the mixed open, men’s over 40 and Women’s over 40; to North Berwick for winning the mixed over 40, to Coigach for winning the men’s open, and to Anstruther for winning the Women’s open.
See post below for Flickr link.
Portsoy Skiff-fest
From the reaction of the Organisers of Portsoy when I said goodbye to them on Monday morning, the title of this post will be the show’s title next year. I have booked the whole of the Links campsite for Skiffies for next year (I wish).
First set of pictures on Flickr have been posted, courtesy of Chris Perkins. I could not decide which of them should be in this post!
I’m expecting to get a link to Kathy Mansfield’s set in a day or two, and I will get the official results up here in the morning.
To all who attended this weekend’s fun, a massive thank you, to all who haven’t yet built themselves a Skiff, time to get building to join the fun!
Alec J
St Ayles at Beale Park Boat Show
Watercraft Magazine is focussing on Coastal Rowing in the display boats on their stand this year. The St Ayles has been joined by a Cornish Gig displaying Coastal Rowing from opposite ends of the country. It would be good to report how the St Ayles has the edge over the Gig, sadly this cannot be said. Looking at the relative waterline lengths gives one reason for the trouncing the Skiff received on the R Thames, the experience and fitness of the Lyme Regis Rowers compared with the UK-HBBR scratch crew may also have had something to do with it.
'Chris O'Kanaird' on the R Thames
The opposition
Much interest has been shown in the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project at the show with some coming along specifically to see the boat.
The first Regatta – Anstruther – 29 May 2010
Anstruther's Women's 40+
The first St Ayles Skiff Regatta started at 1pm on the 29th of May at Anstruther. 6 skiffs were present and around 33 crews . The races started at 10 minute intervals during the afternoon on a 600 yard course along the West Pier. Port Seton won the overall trophy, with Portobello and Anstruther also winning race categories.
A fuller report will be posted in due course. The Regatta coincided with the Scottish Fisheries Museum’s open day.
More Pictures of the day can be seen on Flickr
Some video from Bob Jefferson on YouTube
Port Seton Skiff Races: 5 June
Port Seton are kindly inviting skiffs to race at Boatie Blest , part of the 3 harbours arts festival on the morning of 5 June. Yvonne writes: Racing between Cockenzie and Port Seton Harbour, distance about the same as the Anstruther races. The tide is early so the racing will be in the morning. Specific times to follow. Also if any teams are coming up the day before to let me know as there may be accomodation in Cockenzie. If I could be contacted as soon as possible with the number of skiffs attending, teams and number of people looking for accomodation. Races will be held for categories of Open Men, Open women, mixed and u18. North Berwick will be there, and I think Portobello too, as well as the hosts. Others very welcome.
contact ylmurphy@tiscali.co.uk
Queensferry: 7 May 2010
There is to be a meeting of parties interested in building a St Ayles skiff for South Queensferry. The meeting is being held at Queensferry Boat Club on 7 May 2010 at 7:30 pm. A bit more information at: http://www.queensferrygazette.co.uk/news/Michael-aims-to-row-Community.6265490.jp
Dunbar pulling together
There is an open meeting at Hallhill Healthy Living Centre , Dunbar, on Thursday 1st April at 7.30 for builders, rowers and supporters to lauch the rowing project in the town. Before that though there is a chance to try the prototype boat at Dunbar on Sunday28 March from 10am, before she is taken to the open air kirk service!
17th Boat ordered
It has been a busy week for taking orders – Cumbrae, Dunbar, and Eyemouth are now added to the list.
The Cumbrae boat has been ordered by the National Watersports Centre on Cumbrae with the intention of having it ready for the Waterports festival 14/15 August.
There will be more info on that soon from Galgael who are organising.