The Scottish Coastal Rowing Season came to a conclusion at Loch Insh on Saturday with the annual Freshwater Sprints. Â Clubs were organised into four Regional Squads, with crews racing in a variety of categories. Â Points were awarded for each placing, with every crew contributing to their clubs total.
We were reminded why we had come inland at this time of year as screaming gusts ripped down the Loch. Â Any event on the sea would probably have been cancelled, but with a fetch of only about 1km the waves got lively and entertaining, but never overwhelming. Having a warm cafe overlooking the course was real bonus on these conditions. Â There was a short postponement where we lost two races (spume was being thrown from the wavetops, and there was what looked like a small tornado coming down the course) but other than that crews persevered to try to bring home glory for their team.
There was plenty of close racing. Â With the Fife/Angus and North teams trading wins over the first few races. Â South West, with a smaller team came in fourth, with just one point separating South East in Third and North in Second. Â However clear winners from the day were Fife and Angus, with Rowers from Crail, St Andrews,Pittenweem, Â Catterline, Newburgh (who provided the entire crew for the mixed open who had the most barnstorming win of the day), Anstruther, Gourdon (someone will remind me in the comments if I have missed a club out!).
Photo above of the winning Fife and Angus Team with the Gallagher Heath Shield. Â All photos from Ian Mills, with thanks.
Below is a short video of the day from Murdo MacLeod.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zMzR7atMx4&w=600&h=358]