This was filmed by Alec Jordan at the Loch Vennacher (Trossachs) freshwater sprints in October 2013. A battle for the line in the 2km race – Selkie, Pittenweem and Catterline.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAGozMuxQBo&feature=youtu.be
Author: coxswain
The Seil Boating Song
This lusty song received it’s World Premiere at the Ceilidh following the Seil Skiff Regatta from Seil Sound, the island’s community choir.
Loads of people (well, one) have asked for the words, so here is a link. Enjoy! [Sing to the tune of the Eton Boating Song].
Seil boating song – words for web
And here is a recording of the song, kindly recorded by Anna from Seafari:
Second Annual Seil Regatta, 31 May/1 June
The Race Plan for Seil’s gathering of skiffs was to be a two leg race around the Island. Skiffs from Carrick, Pittenweem, Isle of Mull, Mid-Argyll and Isle of Luing joined us for the weekend. Luing also brought along their second boat, a renovated Fair Isle skiff, Virda.
Leg one of the race was delayed because of haar at Ellanabeich – the skiffs eventually set off in a ‘long line of everybody’ (W. Pooh), to catch the tidal gate at Cuan, sandwiched between two safety boats. Essential equipment for coxes – handheld compasses and a GPS! The sun eventually broke through at the north end of Torsa and it was a scorcher.
The race was then shortened and adapted to a multi-lane start from the planned processional time trial and a new start line set up. The race, over 3.8 km instead of 8.8 km from Ellanabeich, was narrowly won by Isle of Mull, from Isle of Luing, Pittenweem, Isle of Seil and Carrick. The timing device malfunctioned unfortunately. Mid Argyll joined us at Cuan, with a scratch crew.
Lunch at Hunter’s Quay and a crew change for some clubs for the afternoon’s racing. The race officer, Dr George, had a medical emergency to deal with shoreside – one of the Seil crew had to visit A&E – all is well. Meanwhile, the skiffs had a gentle row up to Clachan Bridge to inspect the lack of water beneath it.
Leg 2 reversed the morning’s row – as one of the visiting crews said: “We didn’t see the island on the way because of the fog so it dosn’t matter going back the same way!” Over 8.5 km the race was won by Isle of Mull (52.40) from Seil (53.45), Luing (55.32), Pittenweem (57.46), Mid Argyll (58.36), Luing 2 (59.12) and Carrick (63.50).
A BBQ and ceilidh rounded off the day. We cleared over £600 which is to be ring-fenced to help with travel expenses for regattas – until now, individuals have paid their own (and Selkie’s) way.
Sunday saw a more gentle cruise in company around Easdale Island in choppier conditions than Saturday’s mirror calm before folk headed off home and Seil’s third crew rowed Selkie back through the Cuan to HQ.
The overall results are below. Luing have been in the water for a whole week and Mull only since March – both, obviously, forces to contend with!
Luing Launch
Selkie rowed down from the pontoon to South Cuan on Saturday 24 May, to support the launch of the Isle 0f Luing’s skiff, Hinba, and re-launch of their renovated Fair Isle skiff, Virda.
A piper, BBQ, blessing of the boats, bunting and tropical blue seas all made for a great day out. We were joined by Gill of Melfort, from Kilmelford, who rowed across from North Cuan.
Monty Halls was there too, with a BBC camera crew, taking a break from making a film about diving in the Slate Islands – watch this space!
After the launch, Selkie raced the Luing ferry, Belnahua, across Cuan Sound (we won!!) and beached for the night. A very early Sunday row repositioned the skiff at Ellenabeich, ready for our regatta this coming weekend.
SEIL REGATTA UPDATE
We now have six St Ayles skiffs coming to our regatta on 31 May – Isle of Mull, Isle of Luing, Pittenweem, Mid-Argyll, Carrick and ourselves. Luing are also bringing their Fair Isle skiff (six oars) so it looks like being a good spectacle! Weather permitting, we will row ANTIclockwise around Seil.
The start has now been amended to 1100 off the Old Pier at Ellenabeich, for operational reasons!
The tide under the Clachan Bridge at the start of the second leg will be very low, around 1500, so crews should be prepared to abandon ship to portage the skiffs across the kelp into Seil Sound. Volunteers (very) welcome at the T&T!!
Seil Sound (the choir) are rehearsing their Seil Boating Song ready for the ceilidh on Saturday night. Have you got your party-pieces ready?!!
NB Two rowers from Anstruther looking for a row. Can anyone help?
Easter Rowing
Glorious weather for being out and about on the waters around Seil. Here are a couple of photographs taken on Good Friday, on an evening trip round to Puilladobhran.
PS Don’t forget the Open Afternoon on Saturday – Try a Row!
Seil Skiff Regatta 31 May 2014
The Notice of Race for the 2014 Regatta, BBQ and Ceildih, has now been published. See the tab above – Seil Skiff Regatta.
Everybody welcome!
Try a Row session
Selkie will be at Sealife Adventure’s pontoon in Clachan Seil, on Saturday 26th April from 1400 to 1730 (ish).
You show, you row!
An open afternoon for everyone over P7 age, to initiate them into the joys of Scottish Coastal Rowing. Lifejackets provided. Come on your own or with friends …
Any rowers who can come along to help out will be most welcome – either to row, cox, meet & greet, etc
Many thanks to David & Jean for allowing us to use their facilities
A (wet) weekend in Tobermory
Selkie travelled to Mull, by Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, to take part in the celebrations and launch of Isle Of Mull Coastal Rowing’s skiff, Eala Bhan. We took lots of folk out for a spin round the harbour. On Sunday, we cruised with the Mull skiff, with much swapping of boats, crews and oars. A great weekend – thank you Mull, for making us feel so welcome!
Isle of Mull Launch (II)
Selkie (+ three friends!) is booked onto the ferry to attend the launch of the Isle of Mull skiff on Saturday 15 March (0930), returning on 16 March (Sunday). We’ll be loading Selkie up early on Saturday morning.
We have two spare seats in the car, if anyone would like to join us. However, it does mean sharing the expenses of the car+trailer on the ferry (£27.60 with five pax + your passenger ticket @ £7.60 – both return). There is a bus service meeting the ferry on Saturday if you wanted to come back earlier (but not on Sunday). Isle of Mull Coastal Rowing could maybe help with accommodation in Tobermoray on Saturday night.
Let Sue know if you would like to be part of the crew.
