We took our skiff down to Loch Ken and joined other local clubs in an enjoyable day rowing and racing.

There was also the opportunity to have a try on a Dragon boat and the photos attached show some of our members trying this different rowing method.

I have written before about our members’ love of rowing in new locations and also how friendly and supportive the coastal rowing community is. On the 21st Feb this year we were able to combine these two by supporting Stranraer Coastal Rowing Club at their open day club launch. Five of our members took our lovely skiff Marr Voyager down to Stranraer and were naturally given coffee and cakes before launching her. Once launched we took her into the harbour and moored alongside a pontoon. Several local people wished to have a go at rowing so we took them, two at a time, just for a short row within the harbour area. It was lovely to see the reaction of people that a) they could row and b)how stable the skiff was. Once everybody had rowed we chatted with the organisers who told us their hopes and plans and how they hoped to host the 2019 World Championships! Certainly Loch Ryan, being a wonderfully sheltered stretch of water, would provide a stunning location. We wish Stranraer Coastal Rowing Club well.

Media Release        21 March 2017

Public Consultation for Troon Water Sports Centre

The plans for Troon Water Sports Centre have taken another step forward with the announcement of a public consultation event in the town. The team behind the project have confirmed that they are holding an information session in the town’s Walker Hall on Sunday 9th of April from 1pm – 4pm, putting their plans on display and giving short presentations at 2pm & 3.30pm.

The proposal for the £2m not-for-profit community facility first went public at a recent Troon Community Council meeting and now the project team want to give everyone in Troon and the surrounding area the chance to hear more about the ambitious project. Members of the group behind the project, which includes Ayr & District Sea Cadets and Troon Coastal Rowing Club, will be on hand to answer questions and talk members of the public through the plans.

With a design that includes workshop & maintenance facilities as well as space for training, it’s hoped the centre can become a hub for a wide range of water sports from dinghy sailing and windsurfing to sea kayaking and coastal rowing. Visitors to the consultation event will have the chance to see some of the boats from local clubs who hope to use the centre as a base in future.

Chair of the Water Sports Centre project group, David Michelson said:
“The Water Sports Centre will be a huge asset for Troon. Our main goal is to get more people out on the water, enjoying Troon’s fantastic coastline, which is why we’ve designed the building with space for training and coaching. This includes building on past work by Troon Coastal Rowing Club and South Ayrshire’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to enable school pupils to learn boat-building, and woodworking skills as part of their qualification”

“This consultation event is a chance for people to hear more about the project and, most importantly, give us feedback. This is a community project and we want to hear people’s ideas and hopefully find some more people and organisations to get more involved in the project.”

For more information, visit http://www.troonwsc.org or http://www.facebook.com/troonwsc or, to get in touch with the project team, e-mail contact@troonwsc.org

TCRC Events Calendar 2017

6th and 13th April Easter Schools programme.  Two sessions available from 10-11 and 11-12 both days.

8th April Perth to Wormit Row. A 21 mile row changing crews at Newburgh and Balmerino. An early start but a great day out with great company.  Meet at Perth  Sailing Club at 10am, launch about noon. More details later. It will be a long day but please let me know of your participation as soon as possible.

May Date not known but a celebration row for the opening on the new Forth Crossing.

26 – 29 May Woudrichem, Holland. Dutch International Regatta held in conjunction with the Dutch fish frying championships?
10 June Troon our own very well established regatta, very popular with other clubs, looking for a big turnout from our own members.
24/25 June Arran (Lamlash) racing on Saturday and a round Holy Isle on Sunday (opportunity to change crews. Some of us and the boat are travelling over on Friday returning on Sunday evening. If you intend going don’t leave the ferry booking too late!!
8/9 July Ullapool Always a great event! Lots of fun and great company. We have a provisional booking in the Harbour Lights Hotel for several rooms.
12/15 July Shawbost, Lewis. It has been suggested that we move on from Ullapool to Shawboost, a 2 day tour. Sounds great idea.
22/23 July Annan, a regatta on the Saturday and the Bell Ringers Raid on the Sunday.
5 August Broughty Ferry, very good report on this event last year.
19 August Queensferry, always a good event in a great setting between the two Forth Bridges.
2 September Firth of Clyde Rowing Club, Largs another good event and always fun.
9 September Maidens Exciseman’s chase always great fun with sprint races after.
10 September Nith Row (Dumfries) a 6 mile row up the Nith from Glencaple up to Whitesands. BBQ after at Kings Quay. Note for those attending both there is accommodation available at Loch Ken on the Saturday night.
23 September Castle to Crane Race– Big Clyde Row from Dumbarton to Glasgow 13 miles – one crew.
24 September Glasgow Cup upriver at the Riverside Museum.
28 October SCRA Freshwater Sprints and SCRA AGM. A beautiful setting with some excellent sprint racing. Mixed crews from each region. Another long day.
Please let Jim or Harry know by email of your intentions . Please don’t leave it to the last minute. We try to get crews organised before we go, and in fact we obviously need to know if we have enough participants to make it worthwhile going.   Where accommodation is concerned we need to know well in advance.