Saturday 6th April saw the Cockenzie and Port Seton Coastal Rowing Club (‘Boatie Blest‘ ) Regatta. Picking a date so early in the season always has weather risks and, in the run up to this event ‘Storm Kathleen’ started threatening to cause havoc. However, the forecast to 1300 was excellent and we were hopeful that the north facing harbour, well sheltered from southerly winds by low hills and the village buildings might provide sufficient protection. Despite the weather warnings we were delighted that Broughty Ferry, Dunbar, Eastern, Eskmuthe, Newhaven, North Berwick, Row Porty and Troon joined us.
All races were our traditional 350m ‘head to head’sprints around two buoys, one in each basin of our double harbour with the two fastest times going in the final. The forenoon weather was calm, sunny and remarkably warm and everyone enjoyed some great tight sprint racing right in front of the clubs’ gazebos In addition to the racing and chat, yet again our cooks and bakers excelled themselves and clubs and passers-by soaked up an excellent, very competitive yet friendly atmosphere. The odd number of boats in most categories also allowed an ‘Andy’ (mixed club) boat to run, very competitively, in many races to make up the numbers.
The day started with the traditional Cockenzie versus Port Seton race. Results were as follows:
Cockenzie v Port Seton: Port Seton (again!)
Mixed open. 1st North Berwick: 2′ 33.33, 2nd Boatie Blest: 2’35.30
Novice: 1st Eskmuthe: 2’46.62, 2nd Broughty Ferry 2’47.78,
Decades: 1st Boatie Blest: 2’31.35, 2nd Eastern: 2’32.90
240+: Troon: 2’47.39, 2nd Eskmuthe: 3’02.00
Unfortunately, during the 240+ race the wind very quickly picked up, with 40+ mph forecast gusts starting to cause real difficulties for the skiffs even in such a sheltered harbour, and at 1330 a unanimous decision was quickly to taken to cease racing and pack up. It was a pity that the Women’s 45+ and Men’s and Women’s Opens were cancelled, but all agreed that a successful and enjoyable event had taken place.
It was great to see all the clubs together and some good, competitive racing at the start of the season!
David Trundle
Club Captain
