Author: Sue Fenton

Selkie recently took part in the inaugural Castle to Crane (C2C) regatta, rowing the 13 miles from Dumbarton to the Finneston Crane on the Clyde.

76 boats took part, with 407 participants. Crews came from USA, Netherlands, Eire, Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Orkney, Shetland, Mull, Islay, Lewis and all over the Scottish mainland.

Our ‘over-50’ category mixed crew (with two imported gig rowers from the USA) thoroughly enjoyed it, and didn’t disgrace themselves! What a great way to see the Clyde and the centre of Glasgow. We had an extra rower with us, plus an assistant cox. It was very good to be met at the finish by two well-kent Seileachs, Mary & Ray, en route to Jersey.

Curraghs, yoals, a Birlinn, 55 St Ayles skiffs, pilot gigs, jollyboats etc were all represented in the largest open water rowing event ever held in Scotland. It was also the largest number of St Ayles skiffs seen in one place, even at the World Championships.

The race was organised by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association, together with the Galgael Trust, as part of the Clydebuilt Festival.

Photographs aplenty on our facebook page.

Outings are routinely scheduled, by request, for Fridays at 1800, and Sundays at 1400, although of course folk can row at any time. The midweek afternoon outings have been abandoned as it is always very difficult to get enough folk interested. Should we continue to have fixed times, or should it always be ad hoc?

The routine is that the first one to pop their name up emails members 24 hours before the proposed outing, should there be a gap in the crew. Sue puts up the post, on the ‘Book A Rowing Session‘ each week, but this does not necessarily mean that she is free to row, unless she puts her name down of course! Occasionally, more exciting opportunities are also advertised on our facebook page.

Just to whet your appetite:

Sunday 14 May Glencoe
Melfort Muster 27 May
Loch Sunart Raid, 10/11 June
Iona Regatta, 28-30 July
CASTLE TO CRANE, 23 September (Clyde)
Tay Row, on a date (midweek) to be confirmed by Seil members.

Sign up on the Book a Rowing Session tab!

We have been invited by Broughty Ferry for a social row up to the Tay Railway Bridge. They will provide a Cox and a boat, and we would row in company. They have given various weekday options with good tides to help us on our way. accommodation could be provided. Anyone fancying a trip away, please contact Sue and we’ll sort a mutually suitable date. We would host them back here on a reciprocal visit.

Selkie is upside down in Allan & Fiona’s garage behind Teddy’s Pond. We are planning to meet on Wednesdays and Sundays at 1400, normal winter rowing times. However, extra help outside these hours would be most appreciated. Phone 545 to discuss!

For information:
(taken from the membership form)

Coxes/organisers for a rowing session should:
• Look up a weather forecast
• Check the tide
• Tell someone, who is not going out, when you expect to return
• Ring/tell this person you are safely back
• Check the boat equipment before going out
• Report any damage or missing items to a committee member
• Please treat Selkie and her equipment as though you, and friends of yours, had spent hundreds of hours making and painting her
• Everyone to wear a lifejacket onboard
• Make sure that at least one of the crew knows how use the VHF radio

To become an ‘approved cox’ (if you havn’t been on an SCRA coxing course), you should come out with an experienced cox (who can either be sitting in the passenger seat or rowing) to make sure that you know the ropes. Its good for everyone to take a turn in case the cox is taken ill; plus it gives a whole new dimension to rowing for you. Coxes need lots of extra clothes (and/or a dog) ru8v7q9.

The 4th Annual General Meeting will be held in the back room at the pub, starting at 1830, on Monday 5 December. The pub closes at 2000, so no chance to enter into long discussions about oars (on this occasion, anyway!) Items for AOCB to Sue asap please.

AGENDA

1. Apologies
2. Draft minutes of the 2015 AGM
3. Matters arising
4. Convenor’s report
5. Treasurer’s report
6. Setting of membership fees for 2017
7. Election of officers and management committee
8. Winter maintenance
9. Regattas and events for 2017
10.AOCB

If anyone else would like a hoodie or sweatshirt (as seen modelled by Sue on the facebook page and at outings since the Worlds) please let Sue know by Wednesday 28th. Sorry, I am unable to add photos to these posts on the web for some reason.

Please see the attached safety briefing, following recent capsize incidents with a skiff, and a gig ‘down south.’

SCRA Safety Brief Issue 1 Summer 2016. Lots of learning points here!

Please see the unofficial minutes of the Stakeholder Group meeting, held on 6 June, concerning proposed changes to the sewerage system on the island. It might help determine where we go skiffing in the future!

stakeholder-papers 6Jun16

final minutes Stakeholder 6 June 16 v04