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THE Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club welcomed rowers from around the Clyde to the waters off Rhu at the weekend for the club’s first ever coastal rowing regatta.
Joining the RNCYC’s own rowers in their St Ayles skiff, built to a Scottish design, were a team from the relatively youthful Isle of Bute Coastal Rowing Club, who travelled from Rothesay to compete in their first regatta in their self-built skiff Bruchag, and a crew from the Largs-based Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club with their boat, Saltire.
The RNCYC team was led by the club’s commodore, Jim Rogers, and entered with their boat, Farouk’s Galley.
All three crews held a minute’s silence in memory of the Queen before the day’s competitive business got under way at Rhu Marina, with all the crew members’ oars raised skywards as a mark of respect.
A series of sprint races took place throughout the day, with spectators watching on from the shore as the crews – including members in an age range from their 20s to their 80s – did battle for the RNCYC Coastal Rowing Cup.
All proceeds from the day’s events will be donated to the RNLI’s Helensburgh inshore lifeboat.
The regatta was sponsored by Michael and Anna Curley at the Buffet Shop in Helensburgh, along with CHRC, chandlers and You and Sea both based at Rhu Marina.
The event was the latest stage of the RNCYC’s efforts to promote coastal rowing among its membership; the Advertiser reported last year that the club had plans to offer a series of coastal rowing sessions, based at the marina, after using a generous donation to buy a 22-foot St Ayles rowing skiff, while a dedicated award has also been introducd at the club’s annual prize-giving to recognise the most significant contribution of the year to coastal rowing.
Photos by Ann Stewart
