Troon Coastal Rowing Club were saddened to hear of the passing of one of our founding members, Alan Farrell. Alan was a stalwart of the club, rowing, boat building, supporting members and enjoying the camaraderie of coastal rowing. When once asked to name his dream team for rowing, he selected Captain Bligh as Cox …
Author archives: Steve Brannagan
SkiffieWorlds 2025
It would be a herculean task to try and describe 7 days at SkiffieWorlds 2025 but it does feel appropriate that we try and record something for future members to look back on. The 2025 World Championship for the St Ayles class of coastal rowing boat took place between Sunday 6th July and Saturday 12th …
Maidens 2024
Just over twenty miles from Troon, Carrick Coastal Rowing Club’s regatta is a short hop from our home turf. The regatta is held in the idylic setting of Maidens. The village of Maidens lies at the south end of Ayrshire’s Maidenhead Bay, six miles west of Maybole. The source of its name is often quoted …
The Washing Machine
North Berwick regatta has a special place in the hearts of many TCRC members. Its an iconic racing venue with a well run regatta and stiff competition. The scenery is not too shabby too. It’s one of those regattas where the best view is from the skiff but if you listen to the cox yelling …
Skiffie Fest
Strangford Lough is a large sea lough in County Down, in the east of Northern Ireland. It’s the home of Down Coastal Rowing Association (DCRA), the representative body of affiliated Coastal Rowing clubs within County Down. DCRA are the organisers of the annual Skiffie Fest regatta. Troon has a fantastic historic link to the association …
Sunny Stranraer
Stranraer was the next regatta in our busy rowing schedule, only two weeks after triumphing at Royal West. It was to be an early start for Marjorie Jeffrey and her merry bunch, departing Troon harbour at an unearthly hour. Stranraer Coastal Rowing Club is a part of Stranraer Water Sports Association and is based on …
The Green Oak
The Royal West Regatta was held on Saturday 6th July and was a wee bit special to TCRC. It was the first public outing for our new skiff, Marjorie Jeffrey. I think its fair to say, she didn’t disappoint, gained a few new admirers and travelled down the A78 with her head held high. Royal …
Marjorie Jeffrey
On Saturday 29th June 2024, Troon Coastal Rowing Club launched the fourth craft in its magnificent fleet. Marjorie Jeffrey is the third St. Ayles skiff in our mighty armada joining her sisters, Marr Voyager and Ailsa Lass and her little cousin Lady Isle. The story of her build and the characters in that wonderful tale …
Born to Row
The latest regatta in our 2024 schedule was hosted by the fabulous Arran Coastal Rowing Club based in Lamlash. Lamlash lies three miles southward over the hill from the ferry port at Brodick. The club sits splendidly in an idyllic bay overlooking Holy Isle. Eleven-ish members of Troon Coastal Rowing Club attended the regatta. More …
The Cruel Sea
It was a familiar dreich Ayrshire Tuesday night on the 11th of December 1883, but at sea it was a different world! The night was dark as coal with no saviour lights visible through the rolling haar and tensions were high on the Valkyrien. The ship was a 381-ton Danish barque with all sails up …