Author: coxswain

The freshwater sprints, the closing fixture in the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association calendar, were held on Loch Venacher in the Trossachs on 26 October. 15 skiffs took part; we weren’t last!

The Seil team of Ray, James, Jean, Mary, Sara, Louise, Ewan & Sue travelled through to take part in the Open Women, Novice Mixed and Open Mixed 500 metre sprints, with a buoy turn, and reached the final of the Novice Mixed. Selkie also took part in the long distance (2 km) race for new clubs, providing a very exciting finish with three clubs rowing neck-and-neck on the return from the turning mark. Watch out on You Tube for the exciting footage! We also provided the boat, and a crew member, for the Argyll composite team in the Inter-Regional sprint.

Many thanks to Ainsley Smith (Accountants) for sponsoring the club’s entry fee into the races, and to Ewan for towing Selkie across.

The races were hosted by the sailing club, and the rain held off until the prizegiving! Seil was not in the medal tables – but we had a good day’s rowing amongst some beautiful scenery. The programme concluded with the AGM, about which Ewan will post later.

The Scottish Coastal Rowing Association (SCRA) calender for 2014 will include a long distance event up the River Clyde into Glasgow city centre, as part of a bigger flotilla event on 26 July. The SCRA also hopes to host a regatta in Glasgow city centre. There is also the possibility of a touring event on the Great Glen, and a long distance race on the Forth to be organised by some of the SCRA clubs, as well as regattas virtually every weekend.

There will not be a St Ayles World Championships in 2014.

Seil Coastal Rowing plans to keep Selkie on the water for as long as possible over the winter, with some time out for essential maintenance – the last coat of paint was abandoned in the rush to launch before our regatta in June! So we can keep on practicing and keeping fit for all the events coming up.

An AGM will be held in October – watch this space.

1st Kilbrandon Guides took to the water on Monday, having helped to paint the skiff way back in February. Ten of them, and one adult helper, went out for a row and we certainly found some talent and enthusiasm!

The Boys’ team is currently going out on a Thursday evening. Alan, Liam, John and Ben, with Michelle as ‘chaperone’ and Sue as cox/coach.

A lovely sunny evening, with some excitement shooting Clachan Bridge, then seals in front of the skiff as we raced James in the Donut down the Sound back to Nick’s pontoon.

Selkie made a guest appearance at the Seil Craft Fair on Sunday 1 September.

We didn’t manage to recruit any more rowers for ourselves, but succeeded on behalf of Kilmelford and Oban! However, many folk were pleased to be able to see the skiff for the first time.

The photo was taken from the top of Dun Mor.

The start line

14 lanes for the heats – looking up Loch Broom

Coming in from the finish alongside the Calmac pier – Ewan, Mary, Sue and Angus with Nick coxing

The Open A crew of Julia, Nick H and Dr George

Thanks to Jeremy Fenton for the photos

Selkie has been entered for the following races at the World Skiff Championships in Ullapool, which are taking place from 8 to 14 July:

Over 60’s mixed, the Over 50’s mixed, the Over 40’s mixed, the ‘A’ team mixed and the ‘B’ team mixed. Also both there and back to the Summer Isles on the Tuesday for a BBQ.

Now all we need are some crews, coxes and supporters!

Please sign up here! Its the taking part that counts …

An 0630 start for the workers! Launching a doddle with copious stobs. Must remember the bacon butties next time.

The skiff was turned again on Sunday – the rubbing strip and bungs having been added during the week by the busy fairies. Blocks for the oars were screwed on, and holes for the pins were drilled through the gunwhales. The rudder and footrests have been spirited away to warmer climes to be completed.

If there are enough strong folk around, we’ll (the royal we) turn the hull and pop on a second coat of ice-blue. Also the top strake needs a second coat of slate grey.

If not, the gunwhales need a second coat of slate grey – masking tape under the draining holes to catch the drips onto the lighter battleship grey. Also the thwarts need a second coat of blue, having masked off a new line about a foot outboard of the first one – paint over the grey
underneath.

Sorry I can’t be there again this week, but Seafari are putting me out to pasture on Tuesday so I’ll have more time to play. I’m being replaced by a younger model …

Sue