Setting out under a beautiful Troon sunrise was a good omen for a very early departure from our harbour home. Truth be told, preparation for the day started many weeks earlier with planning, training, training and more training.

North Berwick is clearly one of the most competitive regattas of the season with world class competition and a rather big rock to circumnavigate. With nineteen boats competing, it isn’t for the feint hearted.

Fourteen members of the club competed in the regatta.

Races 1 to 7 were across a hastily arranged alternate course, due to poor conditions, which meant contestants wouldn’t be circumnavigating Craigleith (The Rock) in the Firth of Forth. The conditions in the first two races were horrible with strong winds, choppy seas and every kind of sea state you can imagine. Improved conditions later in the day meant this was changed and the last three races did go around the rock.

Troon competed in eight of the ten races at the regatta. We did not compete in Race 3 – Under 18s or Race 6 – novices.

The regatta got off to a quick start with Mike Reilly attending the Cox’s brief at 9am. Mike went on to single handedly guide every crew around the courses providing motivation, guidance and leadership to us all.

The look of exhaustion and horror as the first crews got back to the beach after racing was not the best incentive for subsequent crews but once on the water everyone gave their all for the club.

North Berwick run a great regatta and its popularity is evident with the rows of skiffs lined up on the sands.

It was impressive to see the many crews on the day and the numbers and ages of attendees for each is a strong positive indicator of the sports future. Physical training before and even during the regatta is a clear indicator of how serious clubs are taking this. Having a larger pool of competitors on the day is another clear advantage where clubs can actively select the best crews for the race and provide sufficient rest between races.   

It was also great to meet some of the partners and friends of our own team who came along to give their support.

The table below shows the complete regatta results with all races and times.

Its worth remembering that the day saw very different conditions between the morning and afternoon races when comparing times.

Overall results for performance at the regatta are good. The team from Troon Coastal Rowing Club certainly did us proud and left with their head held high.

Our fastest time for the day was 17 minutes 50 seconds in Race 7 – 240+

Our highest position for the day was third place in Race 7 – 240+

A holistic analysis of the regatta would indicate that our most challenging races are when age is not a factor in the crew criteria. Sitting in the boat looking across at a competing crew mostly born this millennia may be daunting but didn’t faze the Troon crew. “Powering Up! The school boys are out of steam” was certainly a perfectly timed motivation by Mike R, halfway around The Rock. That particular individual battle was won by Troon but was still way behind the overall pack.

The ”age factor” and any other competitive advantages other clubs have in regattas will certainly invoke much debate around the club over coming months. Despite this Troon prevails.

With this background and knowledge of a great day, we will close the regatta report with the photo of our fabulous medal winners in the 240+ race. Well done to Mike R, Christine R, Christine C, Mike D and Kevin.

Forthcoming Regattas

We have seen a number of regattas cancelled this year due to weather which has been a real pity. The forthcoming regattas are Castle to Crane on 2^nd September, Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club on the 9^th followed by The Exciseman’s Chase on the 16^th September.

In our last article we heard from two of the newest members of Troon Coastal Rowing Club and about their dream teams. Have you been contemplating who your team would be?

In this article we will hear from some of the founding members of our club.

We all know the story when, back in 2009 under the auspices of The Scottish Fisheries Museum, the St Ayles Skiff and coastal rowing project was born. Perhaps ‘born’ isn’t the most appropriate word as, at its core was the tradition of boat building, seamanship, competition and community. After an inspirational row in the very first Anstruther boat in 2010 by Vincent McWhirter, another founding member,  a call to arms was made, money raised and our club was formed to bring the tradition to Troon. Tradition is an interesting concept as we charge forward in our lives with the increasing pace of change, sometimes unwelcome and uncontrollable, and the dichotomic yearning of “things to be like they used to be”.

Coastal rowing and St Ayles skiffs are steeped in tradition. Whilst a boat kit can be bought, wood sourced and a plan prepared, without traditional skills and experience it will most likely go adrift. We have been fortunate in Troon Coastal Rowing Club that a cohort of members have been sharing these skills from the outset. Add this to creating a new club only months after the birth of the St Ayles concept, it clearly took tenacity and determination to get to where we are today.

The first of our founding members we will hear about is Jim Palmer. Jim has been rowing since he was a wee boy in short trousers and started on “sliding seats”. Hearing this we were slightly sceptical but later found that they were introduced in 1857, so the timing is about right and Jim has clearly always been at the forefront of innovation.  Jim has always been a keen DIY enthusiast and with no prior boat building experience, a healthy dose of teamwork, trial and error, set about constructing our chariots.

When asked about favourite things at TCRC Jim was clear, “The flexibility of rowing at the club and conviviality”. Jim added that “The club and associated activities have become a large part of my life. Between rowing, new builds and maintenance there is always something to do.” We thought that echoed the sentiments of our previous article on community.

Jim clearly enjoys all aspects of the club and “before age decreed he behave himself”, used to attend and very much enjoy regattas. His advice to new members is to experience all aspects of the club and don’t be too focussed on one area. The club, as we know, has many facets and each needs participation and support to evolve.

Jim’s dream team for a row around Lady Isle says a lot about him.

Jim’s Dream Team Rowers
Cox	Reserved for extra supplies
Stroke	Jim’s son Colin
3	Jim’s grandson Shaw
2	Jim’s grandson Campbell
Bow	Jim

Jim’s crew consists entirely of family and we loved the simplicity of selecting his boy and two grandsons. He left the cox seat empty for additional supplies. Family and a hobby soaked in tradition with a strong sense of community. What more can you ask for?

Our next member to hear from is Harry Risk. Like Jim, Harry is a founding member of TCRC back in 2011. Harry also served as chair of the club for a number of years and I’m sure we all appreciate the effort this post still entails. He rowed as a boy back in the 1950s although never competitively. This experience and boyhood passion served the club well in its formative years. Harry’s favourite part of the club is building the skiffs and he evolved his DIY skills into boat building skills. Its heartening to hear that these traditional skills are alive and well in the club and can be learned by most members.

Harry attended many regattas in the past including three World Championships. He is keen that members try to experience all aspects of rowing and the club and remember to “enjoy it and that winning is not everything”.

Harry is keen to see younger members join and this is something we are all keen to encourage in the club. Harry is pictured here in seat 2 with Allan (our next candidate) sitting in bow. They are joined by another couple of TCRC rascals.

Harry has an interesting rowing dream team that I suspect will go a couple of times around Lady Isle. This is a team that certainly packs a punch!  Can you even imagine the conversation. Not sure if I’d want to be shouting instructions at stroke but sure his rowing companions behind him would take care of that. I’d definitely pay to be in that skiff.

Harry’s Dream Team Rowers
Cox	Harry
Stroke	Muhammad Ali
3	Nelson Mandela
2	Joanna Lumley
Bow	Jack Nicklaus

The next founding member we will hear about is Alan Farrell. At the outset he attended a workshop in Port Glasgow, supervised by a qualified shipwright who clearly had the skills and knowledge to undertake the project. Undaunted, although perhaps a bit apprehensive, he began his pathfinding journey.

Like a few of us in the club, his rowing skills and experience were firmly founded in the traditional manner of a Glasgow corporation pond with a man yelling “come in number 38 yer time is up”.

“TCRC came at an ideal time” for Alan who had just completed a lengthy police career. The camaraderie, community and learning traditional skills provided a welcome second act after thirty years of public service. Alan’s DIY skills came in useful but he soon learned “it wasn’t as like IKEA as he was expecting”. Now for Alan it’s a great way of keeping fit and for meeting different people.

Alan is delighted that “the club has flourished into a thriving group of both men and women enjoying casual and more competitive rowing”. He emphasised that “our lady members form the backbone of the club and are some of the most dedicated members”.

Echoing the other views shared in this article, Alan is keen to see members embrace the history and tradition of the club and support all aspects. He was previously a keen regatta participant but age and health have curtailed this. He is delighted at the “dedicated team of accomplished rowers who have made the club extremely competitive”.   

Alan’s dream team is a great group and as you will see will be a bit cramped when he joins them. As a founding member we will allow him the privilege of an extra crew member.

Alan’s Dream Team Rowers
Cox	Captain Bligh
Stroke	Noah
3	Viking Invading Chief
2	Captain Edward Smith
Bow	Captain Pugwash

Captain Bligh skippered a rowing boat for thousands of miles adrift in the South Pacific so hopefully they should make it around Lady Isle. Let’s hope there isn’t a “Mr Christian” in the boat and we need the RNLI to rescue them.  Captain Pugwash (younger members may need to Google) is an amusing choice and Captain Smith of the Titanic may, like Mr Bligh, require Troon RNLI. Just to make it more interesting and keep everyone motivated Alan has asked for an invading experienced Viking chief. Noah is a clear choice for keeping a rather diverse group in order. An eclectic crew indeed.

Our hobby is a clearly a multi-faceted affair as described by our three members. Build, development and maintenance is an integral part of rowing success. It is for TCRC too. Whilst boat building and boat use has been around for thousands of years, competition quickly followed. To be first to the fish, to claim new territory or simply to win a fat purse of coin, competition will often follow. The Cornish pilot gig would race to be the first to incoming vessels and the winning crew would earn their supper.  We also approach the two hundred year anniversary of The Boat Race. An annual event steeped in tradition between two universities, originating from two friends. Even this is preceded by the Thames watermen who would be the subject of many an 18^th century wager.

Whilst our club is relatively new compared to some of the examples above, we preserve traditional skills and embody community. Our own traditions are even starting to form with Regatta flapjacks (Thank you Mrs Downey) and Coffee at Scotts are just the start of a bright future. Let’s grow, adapt, accept change but remember tradition.

Whilst the history and origins of St Ayles skiffs is well documented on the Troon Coastal Rowing Club website and the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association, it’s worth reflecting on what lies behind the very concept. From Fife miners building their own boats, the Shetlanders necessity for everyday life, to today’s growing Coastal Rowing clubs that come together with common aim and purpose, the answer is community.

Troon Coastal Rowing club is a great example of community, where people from a wide range of backgrounds and ages come together to share a common interest and passion. Community doesn’t reside solely on the water with so many examples of members supporting each other through challenging times and sharing a brew and telling tall tales of past regatta glories. 

At Troon we have a growing membership and we thought it would be interesting to hear from two of the newest members to the club.

The first member we will hear from is Lizzie Young. Lizzie joined the club this season and, after a very wet trial row, quickly joined the club. Like many of us, she is keen to increase fitness through a new hobby. She rowed at university (slidey seat variety) and is loving this new challenge. When asked what she enjoyed about the club, Lizzie was very clear. “Everyone in the club has been so friendly and welcoming. I love the banter and the friendly competition. The feeling of winning in regattas is unreal. Plus it’s just such a good feeling when you’re out on the water with the sun on your face.”

Lizzie loves hiking, spends time in the gym and does music theatre. Where does she find the time!

Lizzie recently won gold at the Royal West Regatta and is pictured in her winning team here with Lorna, Steve, Mike, Lizzie and Christine.

Her favourite regatta experience so far was “winning the gold and not realising straight away and still rowing past the finish line”.

Lizzie has heard about the incredible work that goes on in the background with build and maintenance and will look to get involved in this in the future. I wonder if Lizzie’s secret talent of spinning her right hand round 360 degrees is better for rowing or sanding?

To get to know Liz better and give you something to quiz her about, she is our very first victim of Dream Team Rowing. Who, other than our great club members, would she have in the boat with her for a slow row around Lady Isle ? 

Lizzie’s Dream Team Rowers
Cox	Gordon Ramsay
Stroke	The Rock
3	Lizzie
2	Emma Watson
Bow	David Attenborough

I don’t think Gordon will have an issue with shouting instructions and clearly The Rock will be doing all the rowing. What a great opportunity to take your time and just hear David Attenborough speak. Lizzie is a big Harry Potter fan so I think Emma may get more than a few questions too. What do you think? 

The next new member we will hear about is Euan Fell. Euan briefly rowed with the club when he was at school but stopped when he went to university. Like Lizzie, Euan was keen to improve his fitness and meet new people. He is delighted to have recently won gold at Troon’s 2023 regatta and is pictured here with Mike, Julie, Christine, Euan and Neil.

Euan used to play bagpipes in Troon BB pipe band and now plays rugby for Marr 3s. He also does CrossFit so clearly fitness isn’t an issue for him.

Euan’s dream team rowers are another interesting bunch.

Euan’s Dream Team Rowers
Cox	His grandpa
Stroke	Johnny Cash
3	Sir Christopher Lee
2	Oscar Isaac
Bow	Euan

Euan’s grandpa used to be in the merchant navy so hopefully would get them round Lady Isle and back. I’m hoping Johnny Cash would sing all the way and I bet Sir Christopher Lee could tell some stories. What a life! Euan finishes with a bit of Hollywood glam with  Oscar Isaac. Would you sneak a seat in that boat?

So now that you know a little more about our newer members, why not take some time out for a blether the next time you are in the boat with any of them. 

Who would your Dream Team be?  

Our next article will hear from some of our longest serving members of the club and how they share the same passion for coastal rowing as our newer members.

On June 4th, the club ran its annual regatta, which took place as usual on South Beach. Less usual, the weather was perfect!

Visitor included Arran, Ayr Renegades, Carrick, FOCCRs, Prestwick and Royal West. Troon won the overall regatta.

Skiffs took part in four 2k races on a triangular course, three monaco-style sprints, and two short coxed-pair races.

Here’s a short video highlighting some of the events. Many thanks to our member Thor for putting it together.

Troon Coastal Rowing Club have been presented with a Blue Flag by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association in recognition of their fundraising efforts this year on behalf of Irvine & Troon Cancer Care.

Many, many thanks again to everyone who donated and supported the club rowers & cyclists.

This weekend TCRC crews have been taking part in “Castle to Crane – Five miles from home”.

Many thanks to all the boat builders, painters, sanders and organisers who got the skiffs ready to row.

Best placed were the men’s 50+ team who finished third in their category. You can find the full results here.

After what seems like an eternity of not being able to row, compounded with necessary but frustrating late maintenance operations, rowers and boats are ready to return to the water.

It is however not back to normal. The details of the new procedures for handling the boats and for setting up rowing sessions have been communicated to the membership and will be included here as soon as possible.

Hopefully the new rules will enable everyone to take part as safely as possible and let us keep track of member interactions should need be.

Luckily the weather seems ideal for the next few days so we hope all members will be able to take part and enjoy being back on the sea.

Meanwhile, please get familiar with our new procedures by checking out the Quick Reference and the Full Guidance (to be published ASAP).

It was with great sadness that we learned our friend and fellow club member David Sutherland passed away this week.

David was one of our founding members, our first secretary and his talents as an administrator ensured that Troon Coastal Rowing Club got off to the best possible start.

Whilst designing our membership form and compiling the club manual his enduring legacy was in the creation of our club logo and skiff figurehead.

From the first days when we were just a small group of people building a skiff, David was at the heart of the team, always willing to turn his hand to whatever job needed done, from building a rolling frame for the boat to painting on a gold inlay.

After stepping back from his role as Secretary, David became a regular feature at the slipway, cheering us on at regattas and even finding time to write his own entertaining take on the world of coastal rowing!

Troon Coastal Rowing Club was one of David’s passions, and the Club owes him a great debt of gratitude.

Thank you David.