Wonderful sight on this mornings club rowing session,3 maybe 4 large basking sharks feeding just offshore from Troon harbour. Having spotted the dorsal fins and the bubbling waters created by large shoals of fry trying to escape becoming lunch,we managed to delicately row over to within five metres of one of these magnificent creatures. Camera phone sadly does not do them justice.
Despite very blustery winds ,Marr Voyager was launched this morning. With a heavy swell and breaking waves on the open sea ,several trips were made in the relative sanctuary of the inner harbour
The crews including first time rower Steve from Minnesota on a visit to family in Troon,were treated to a great display of Eider ducks taking off as well as the usual curious seals .
Wind forecast indicates dropping force through today ,so should be fine for Wednesday evening session
Weekend should see only light winds and a good possibility of some brighter skies ,so making for some good rowing conditions for members and anyone thinking of giving it a try.
The fine weather looks like staying with us for a few days more,so remains a great opportunity to get both our skiffs busy.
A fine Tuesday evening saw a crew of six,with rolling cox changes,join the increasing Lady Isle club.
Setting off on longer rows requires light winds and calm seas,so best grab the chances when we can.
This followed by a Wednesday morning outing,report reads “Crew of six rowed out and round Lady Isle in perfect conditions. On return fog banks came in. Round trip including stops took approx. 2 hours.”
It looks like it is getting busy out there.
Weather forecast for this weekend is looking good ,rowing conditions should be very favourable.
Hopefully this should see a good turnout for the social rowing sessions and a welcome return from some deterred by some of the less kind conditions recently ,also looking ideal for anyone who has been thinking about coming along to try out this rowing thing.
Admiring our beautiful local coast line from a St Ayles skiff is always a wonder even for the more regular rowers,don’t forget you’re sunblock.
See Get involved for club session times.
Club rowing session this morning,Sea King helicopter makes an obvious detour, three minutes later call on VHF from harbour master, “Troon Rowing the current wind is at 25 knots”, cox replies “understood we have already turned back to base”, I might have asked “and you’re point is?”
Earlier the crew performed the little practised exercise of Cap Rescue, Stephen’s cap blows away, the cox promptly brings Ailsa Lass about 360 degrees,with a little,bow side, stroke side, the cap finds itself safely aboard and ready for the wash.
Comforting to know as a small craft at sea ,you are not alone
Interest is sought from members regarding the possibility of a day of rowing / picnic on Loch Ken at Castle Douglas on Sunday the 11th of October.
This is still an embryonic idea proposed by Carrick Coastal Rowing, a social day of distance rowing in company with a few other interested clubs.
This was the third Exciseman’s Chase, hosted by Carrick at Maidens harbour.
The race begins with a runner setting of from the starters tent with a token,the token on board, the skiffs set off at intervals, destination Gas House Bay under the shadow of Culzean Castle.
The plan is again for a runner to take the token from the arriving skiff to exchange on shore for a bottle of whiskey back to boat, crew changes for dash back to harbour round trip 8 k.
First crew appearing is Anstruther with a low tide ,grounds some 100 metres or so from beach.
A comical sight watching someone trying to emulate Usain Bolt but through water wearing wellies,comical until it is you’re turn ,the legs soon become very heavy the sea water feels thicker.
As the boats arrive coxs are unaware of some rocks barely covered,with the unfortunate Girvan finding themselves high and fast on a rock,with some assist from a safety boat she is freed,I believe without damage to continue the pursuit this delay not helping the brave crews overall time.
Race winners with new best course time 56 min 55sec
1 st Anstruther ,2 Royal West, 3 Cumbrae, 4 Carrick, 5 Troon, 6 Firth of Clyde 7 Prestwick , 8 Girvan
Lunch break followed by 500 metre sprints
First race the Juniors , Carrick v Girvan , First across Girvan.
Next novice race won by Anstruther skiff , with a composite crew from several clubs.
Final sprint was a mixed event with each skiff having a crew of rowers from other clubs,won by the Royal West skiff.
Representing Canada here was Stewart Bates from the Ayle Of Quinte skiff club, I believe Stewart coxed for Royal West in the long race and rowed in the mixed sprint.
All clubs received a certificate and special event bottle of whiskey.
As usual reports include praise for hosts and hospitality.
I have seen excellent catering at quite a few events, but here Carrick would have scored tens all round on Come Dine With Me.
From first arrival tea coffee cakes in abundance, on top of the come to be expected burgers etc . A long buffet table ,soups, platters laden with chicken and a selection of cold meats numerous salads,stuffed vine leaves and yet more varieties of cakes than a honed athlete wishes to be tempted by. Many thanks from all attending .
The day is played out under the sun ,again thanks to Fergus or Henry for organising that too.
A good performance from our Troon team with more attention to timing ,stroke length and observing other clubs techniques,we move slightly more up the result tables.
More photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/134080931@N04/albums/72157658415235669
A beautiful sunny day and flat sea off Troon,saw a good turnout of members with both skiffs launched,
Far too nice a day to miss the opportunity to have an extended row,Ailsa Lass set off for Lady Isle, a round trip of 6 to 7 miles,seen here at rest admiring the view.
Soon after coming to rest the crew were amazed at the amount of seals coming around for a nosey probably about twenty or so surrounding the boat, to be a part of this see, Get Involved
The third Nith Navigation time trial saw five skiffs appear on a wet morning, rendezvous for bacon rolls and cox’s brief at Glencaple.
The skiffs complete with crews are assisted with launch on a very silted slipway lifted by tele- handler.
Setting off on 30 second intervals with a very fast incoming tide the skiffs very quickly disappear from view first away Annan crewed with four young lads who had previously rowed only once or twice , next Amble, first time visit for a very cheery group from across the border, followed by the usual suspects Carrick and Troon last away Boatie Blest.
The rain eased and even stopped before we arrived at Dumfries a fast paced race testing rowers and cox’s, rowing in company back down river about 3 miles to The Swan at Kingholme Quay for Barbecue and results.
Presented with winners Quaich and Bottle of whiskey were Boatie Blest with a time of 43 mins.
Also given a bottle with Roy Kerr’s magnificent Malouine on the label were runners up Troon 45 min 30s ,Amble 46 min 15s ,Annan 50 min and Carrick 51 min 30s.
A good natured race over six miles split by a tad over eight minutes.
Following the presentation Roy carrying a large French flag and dressed to suit led the rowers out for a Boulle match with Troon taking the honours.
Once again Roy Kerr organises another great event with top local support of Ian Cook and many others providing safety boats and lifting gear at both ends.
A group of sea cadets from T S Mountbatten based in Ayr visited Troon Coastal Rowing to Have a go in our skiffs.
Club members readied Ailsa Lass and Marr Voyager in preparation for our guests.
With little or no rowing experience and with wind speeds 15-18 mph gusting considerably more,this group demonstrated impressively a very quick understanding of rowing and keeping timing together.
Given the winds we rowed within the confines of the harbour ,which was choppy enough for experienced crews ,both skiffs setting out and back several times for crew changes, each trip about 1.5 km.
Hopefully we can build on this connection to this group and their enthusiastic plans to develop water activities, perhaps adding to our small but developing youth team.
