Eskmuthe was blessed with mild, dry weather for its first ‘proper’ regatta since 2015 on the Back Sands in Musselburgh. [The Rowing of the Marches took place as part of the historic boundary-marking ceremony Riding of the Marches in 2016 and last year was just too busy].

Clubs came from near and far – RowPorty and Eastern rowed the 15-20 minutes along the coast, while Islay made the massive trip from off the west coast, which was much appreciated.

Islay put in a very strong showing, but it was two local clubs, Eastern and North Berwick, who contested the places and took home the majority of the medals. Eastern took first place in every event they entered, with North Berwick second in all those races. RowPorty took home the gold in the Novice race, with Islay second.

Newhaven, who came with just five rowers, came 3rd from 7 in the blindfold race, a great achievement as each rower took part in several of the races, which were just over 1km. [The rowers were blindfolded, but not the cox, just for the record].

The best time was recorded in the Men’s Open, with Eastern coming home in a superb 6m, 8.61 secs, while the 220-plus race was the most hotly contested. Eastern won in 6m 38.43 seconds, but only three seconds separated the next three boats, with North Berwick just pipping Islay and home club Eskmuthe.

Kinghorn had their best finish in the Mix-up relay, coming 3rd, behind, yes, Eastern and North Berwick. Rowers from every club took home crocheted mussel-shell medals for their part in the race, apart from Newhaven. Their rowers were understandably too exhausted to take part, but they provided a cox to allow 56 different rowers (and 7 coxes) to participate in the final race of the day.

Eskmuthe would like to thank everyone for taking part in such a good spirit and hope everyone enjoyed the friendly regatta in The Honest Toun.

The club would also like to thank all members who were involved in the months of planning and organising, which paid off with a great day. See you again next year – or maybe in 2020!

Copy of ESKMUTHE REGATTA RESULTS GRID (version 1)

The 2018 Nith Navigation Race was held on the same weekend as the Bell Ringers Raid, making a south west double.

On the Nith, the race was extended a bit this year, starting from Carsethorn, giving a 10 mile race.  It was combined with a long running sail and oar race over the same course.   Conditions were perfect.   Among the St Ayles skiffs,  Alnmouth came First covering the course into Dumfries town centre in a time of 2hrs 07min.   Annan were second in 2 hours 22 minutes.  On arrival in Dumfries they were met with a festival with demonstrations, live music and of course food and a lot of arty crafty stuff going on.

Thank you to our correspondent Janene Waudby (and to Steve Carter for the photos and video) for this report from the very well received Shieldaig Regatta:

Shieldaig hosted its 4th annual regatta on Saturday 11 August.   With the race being held on the same date as the fete, we faced a low tide this year which reduced the start line to 11 teams.

We had a competitive field featuring Avoch, Boatie Blest, Cromarty, Findhorn, Golspie, Locharron, Queensferry, St Andrews, Sutors Skiffies, Ullapool and the home team.  The  conditions were perfect with flat waters and a light breeze to keep the midgies at bay.  The picturesque course starts in front of the village, after which the fleet sprint 560m to converge at a turning mark at the far end of Shieldaig Island.    The skiffs then disappear into the “dark side” around the back of the Island, holding spectators in suspense, before emerging for a sprint finish to the beach.   The racing was tight and the usual ‘argy bargy’ at the first mark was mainly avoided with some excellent umpiring.

Boatie Blest took line honours for both the Men’s Decades and the Men’s Open and were worthy overall regatta champions.  Last year’s winners, Avoch won the Women’s Decades (only narrowly beating the home team to the local crowd’s delight) and come second overall.  Cromarty won the women’s open race and St Andrews won the Mixed Open Race.   Ullapool’s consistent performance across all categories gave them third place overall and the Shieldaig and Loch Torridon finished a creditable fourth place.

All teams enjoyed the great food and atmosphere provided by the fete, including the evening live music and ceilidh.   Due to the continuing good feedback from participants, we aim to increase the number of teams to host a slightly a larger regatta next year.   As ever, we extend a massive thank you to all teams and event sponsors for their support.  We look forward to welcoming teams in 2019.   Race results below.

A video of the racing can be viewed at https://youtu.be/-QKAu4B9PXA with additional photos at http://stevecarter.com/fete18/fete18.htm, all courtesy of Steve  Carter.  The date for next year’s Shieldaig Regatta will be Saturday 10th August 2019

Coastal Rowers in Scotland were sharing the fun by attending at least five events over the last weekend.

In the South West, the Bell Ringer’s Raid took place.  The Raid is an event that crosses the astonishingly tidal waters on the Solway that separate Scotland and England.  Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club had the honour of ringing the bell this year, having crossed the waters in the fastest time ahead of two crews of local Annan Rowers.

Also in the South West, Cumbrae Coastal Rowing Club hosted the Cumbrae Regatta, welcoming crews from Renegade, Arran, Troon, Prestwick, Arran, Firth of Clyde and Pittenweem.   This included “Castle to Keep” a 13km event which many crews welcomed as a half distance warm up for the Castle to Crane Race in September.

In the North East Findochty Watersports Club hosted their Fun Day.  It was great to see Whitehills and Lossiemouth attending for the first time among the six boats.

Findochty Fun Day

Meanwhile in the South East Eskmuthe were welcoming Eastern, Row Porty, North Berwick, Kinghorn, Newhaven and Islay to their regatta.  Top marks for the Mussel shells used as medals at this Musselburgh event.

Finally in the North West the Shieldaig Regatta and Fete took place, racing round their Island on one of the most scenic courses known to Coastal Rowing, with 11 groups taking part.

So at least 31 clubs in action at events over the weekend.  Please do let us know if we have missed anyone! It would be much appreciated if full results and a brief report (with a few photos?) could be sent to SCRA so that they are recorded for posterity, so that everyone can be astonished by how much organising goes on, and perhaps so that sponsors can be properly thanked!  Well done everyone.

Three young rowers from Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club (Largs) and Avoch Community Rowing Club are among five Scots selected for the Atlantic Challenge Great Britain Team.

Cameron Hughes (21), Iona Macaulay-Smith 16) and Erin Lambert (16) are currently in Portland for a final training camp with the GB squad before heading to Antrim for the Atlantic Challenge International contest, which runs from 21st-28th July. It will test their rowing, sailing, ropework and navigation skills across a series of events on Lough Neagh.

The team consists of five Scottish, five Welsh and ten English rowers and sailors aged 16-26 who will take on teams from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Basque Country, Russia, Indonesia, Canada and the USA. They train and compete in 38ft Bantry Bay Gigs with a total of 13 crew and 10 oars, with some events requiring the crew to transition from rowing to sailing mid-race, and vice versa.

The GB boat ‘Intégrité’ under sail

GB Head Coach, Gavin Sim, said: “The team has been put through their paces with an intensive final 10-day training programme in Portland, both on and off the water. With a mix of rowing and sailing backgrounds, everyone is able to learn from each other and improve their techniques to row and sail more efficiently. There has been a lot to get through but we have a brilliant team and can’t wait to get to Antrim”. Gavin is also a member of Burghead Coastal Rowing Club and took part in last year’s Castle To Crane race with them.

Best of luck to Cameron, Iona, Erin, Gavin and the rest of the GB Team!

Keep updated by following the Atlantic Challenge GB Team online:

Facebook – @AtlanticChallangeGB

Twitter – @AC_GreatBritain

Instagram – @AtlanticChallangeGB

Cameron’s Sponsors: Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association; 6 SCOTS (Army Reserve); Largs Yacht Haven.

Iona’s Sponsor’s: Fusion Marine; Skretting; Northern Marine Services; Scottish Sea Farms; Largs Yacht Haven.

Well done to Ullapool CRC and their helpers from other clubs for once again running an excellent regatta.  27 clubs made the journey to be on the town’s beach for the weekend including several clubs who were there for the first time to experience Scotland’s leading regatta.  Furthest travelled were WSV Woudrichem from the Netherlands with West Side from Lewis and Orkney Coastal Rowing club also making ferry journeys to join the fun.  Results from the 3 days of racing were as follows:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

Eastern won the points competition, Ullapool were best local club, and Orkney were best new club.  There were excellent performances throughout the fleet, with crews working hard in very hot conditions on the Friday and Saturday, and slightly damp conditions on the Sunday.  The course is such that excellent coxing is rewarded with the turns being crucial when boats are close.  The umpires did an excellent job in guiding boats as to how to race safely and enjoyably.  Well done to all concerned.