Now that both “Marr Voyager” and “Ailsa Lass” have been fully refurbished at Irvine Maritime Museum’s workshop, the Committee would like to thank all who gave up their time to carry out this essential work to keep our valuable boats in tip-top condition for the weekly rowing programmes and coming season of regattas.

The Committee would also like to thank the Irvine Maritime Museum’s Management for allowing the work to be carried out within their workshops.

Unfortunately the weather for our annual New Year’s Day Row had to be abandoned due to the severe weather.

However, on Sunday 4th January a large team of hardy rowers set off with Marr Voyager south to Maidens and joined the Carrick Rowers for a friendly Festive Row and lunch. They arrived at Maidens to find a distinct chill in the air and a stiff off-shore breeze. Marr Voyager and Carrick Maid were soon in action with various permutations of crews among the thirty or so rowers who were present time and again.

Conditions were choppy and brisk to say the least. Everybody had at least one exhilarating trip. The whole party retired to the Kirkmichael Inn for lunch.

The 2014 Annual General Meeting took place on 20th November. Harry Risk, Chairman, welcomed a large turnout of members.
He thanked the outgoing Committee Members for their dedication and commitment during their term of office.

The CLUB CHRISTMAS DINNER was held at the South Beach Hotel on Thursday 11th November with good food. Professional entertainment was provided by Adam Dawson. Thanks to all who supported the event by attending, helping to run the event and /or contributing to the raffle.

FESTIVE EVENTS There will be a Festive Row with Carrick CRC down at Maidens between Christmas and New year, and our traditional Ne’er Day Row, assembling at noon, at the slipway (weather permitting).

On 25th October four Club Members, Jim Palmer, Bob Dawson, Morag Kemp and John Kemp attended the Freshwater Sprints at Loch Insh and took part with other SW team members, rowing Royal West’s skiff “Chippy McNish”. Two members, Jim & Bob attended the SCRA AGM after racing was finished to represent Troon Coastal Rowing Club.

A small representation from the Club Committee attended this Award Ceremony in Ayr Town Hall on Tuesday 21st October. We had been nominated for two awards – the Provost’s Prize for “Club of the Year” and in the category “Sports volunteer of the Year”.

We did not win either award outright but we are very pleased to say that we were presented with a Merit Award in each of the two categories.

Harry Risk was pleased to accept the “Club of the Year” on behalf of the Club and Jim Palmer was pleased to accept the Merit Award for “Sports Volunteer of the Year” for the huge amount of seen and unseen work that he does for Troon Coastal Rowing.

Troon Coastal Rowing held their fashion show on Wednesday 14 October 2014 in M & Co. shop in Troon .

There was a large turnout of friends and family and we extend our grateful thanks to M & Co. also to the mannequins and to the members of the Club who helped to make this a very successful event.

NITH NAVIGATION RACE 2014
This race was contested by boats from Troon, North Berwick, Queensferry and Carrick Coastal Rowing Clubs.
The race was a 6 mile journey up the River Nith from Glenaple up to White Sands in Dumfries Town Centre.

The prizes for this event were fantastic with a bottle of SCRA Whisky for all the crews who finished the race with a special prize for the oldest crew to complete the course, which was Troon.

The final result for the St Ayles Skiffs was –

1st: North Queensferry 2nd: Royal West
3rd: Carrick 4th: Troon

The fastest boat on the day was Royal West Class 2 Jolly Boat Sprite built 120 years ago.

RACING FOR WHISKY WITH THE EXCISEMAN'S CHASE
The Exciseman's Chase was organised by Carrick Coastal Rowing Club in September. This involved the participation of several Rowing Clubs rowing their Skiffs from the shore at Maidens Harbour up to the Gashouse Bay at Culzean Castle which is approximately 4 kilometres, where at this beach each boat exchanged a Token for a Bottle of Whisky. At this point crews can be changed for the return journey.

This race was contested by 7 Clubs from Girvan, North Berwick, Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde, Troon, Royal West and, of course, Carrick. With Royal West turning out the winner for the second year in a row. The remaining boats were not far behind considering the weather conditions when the crews faced very challenging seas with four feet heavy swells.

A magnificent trophy was presented to the winner and all Clubs were presented with a bottle of Exciseman's Whisky.

After a well deserved rest two short races were held outside the Maidens Harbour, the first being for junior crews, with Troon being able to enter a junior team for the first time with an excellent result.

Many thanks to Carrick for an excellent day – looking forward to next year.