Sylva Rybanska enjoyed rowing with Cromarty Rowing Club but due to circumstances had to move away from the area to Invergordon. As she really enjoyed being part of a community group, she felt that having a rowing club closer to home within the area, that it would be a benefit both to the local community and herself.
Over 18 months ago, the thought of a Coastal Rowing Club in the communities of Alness and Invergordon was a small seed sown and within the communities, a number of people got together to start to put a plan in place. It has taken a little more than a year and a half for the
vision of a Coastal Rowing Club in the communities of Alness and Invergordon to become a reality.
In 2023 a St Ayles Skiff kit was kindly donated by Invergordon man John Henderson who had seen the remarkable growth and community involvement in coastal rowing throughout Scotland. So a new Skiff was born. John along with a number of others (to many to mention) started on the building process of the yet to be names skiff. David Skea, a generous Alness businessman allowed the group, which has now become a charity, to use a unit he
owns for building of the now named Skiff Averon.
Like every skiff build process around the country there were many things to learn along the way and stories of what went on and was said in the build shed will remain in the build shed (unless a dram or two loosens the builders tongues) Fortunately we were able to call on a couple of the local clubs for advice and assistance when required.
The launch of Averon was attended by over 100 people including members of Skiff rowing clubs from Portmahomack, North Kessock, Cromarty, Strathpeffer, Avoch, Golspie and Burghead and many locals watched as a 15 year old Dalmore whisky was used to anoint the new skiff and also enjoyed a small dram as they toasted the naming and launch of Averon.
The group, known as AIR (Alness and Invergordon Rowing) invited four of the neighbouring rowing clubs from Portmahomack, North Kessock, Cromarty
and Strathpeffer to bring skiffs along and join them on the water for the launch at Rosskeen slipway where a traditional salute with oars was given as the new boat slipped into the water. Afterwards crews and many of the locals and sponsors enjoyed coffee, cake and a barbeque lunch before all the skiffs, with Averon leading the way rowed round to Invergordon for the RNLI open day.
Sylva the AIR club captain along with the many others in the build process and committee would like to thank all their sponsors and the people who supported them throughout the ups and downs build process. She said “that now getting out on Averon has been such a joy after the many of my own and the builders battles have had in recent times and is so looking forward to being part of the greater Skiffie family community”
