An SCRA led Argyll and Lochaber cox training weekend took place at Dunstaffnage Marina on 25th & 26th September 2024. Fifteen trainee rowers from Seil Coastal Rowing, Lochaber Coastal Rowing, Lorn Coastal Rowing and Mull Rowing (Ross of Mull and Wester Isles yacht club, Tobermory) congregated at the marina for two days of classroom theory and on water coxing practice. The weekend’s logistics was organised by Lorn Coastal rowing while SCRA cox trainers Liz Furrie from Broughty ferry CR and Anne Purcell from Queensferry CR led a very engaging and beneficial weekend.
The Saturday classroom session led by Liz and Anne began with the skills and responsibilities of the cox, and the ever-important decision of whether or not to launch the boat. The role of the responsible person, lifejackets, potential hazards, the essentials of the boat, the boat checklist, the VHF and the most important element of the skiff – the crew – all formed part of a very informative and engrossing afternoon session. Lots of club discussion was thirsty work and so tea, coffee, cakes and windfall apples were provided in the little kitchen half way though
Spring tides meant an 8:45 am start on the Sunday and thank you Sue Fenton, Seil CRC for towing Selkie to Dunstaffnage for the weekend to accompany Lorn’s Cruachan for the day’s on water practice. The weather was glorious with a slight breeze and 20 degrees of sunshine which meant perfect conditions for boat handling, manoeuvring in tight spaces, buoy turns and backing onto a buoy, hard stops, spins, man overboard, pontoon arrival and departure and oar deployment.
All trainees got a good turn at coxing and learning and practicing these skills with hoots of hilarity being heard from the shore…
All the rowers agreed that the course was super beneficial and great fun. Many thanks to SCRA Liz and Anne for the training, to Alba Sailing for providing the meeting room, to Dunstaffnage Marina for the facilities, to Lorn CRC for hosting and to all the rowers from Seil, Lochaber CRC, Mull and Lorn CRC for attending.
