Delayed start to coastal rowing event
Some 200 rowers from 79 clubs had signed up for the event including the likes of Eskmuthe from Fisherrow and Portobello's Eastern Rowing Club.
Others travelled from much further afield, notably Australia.
However, organisers had little alternative but to call a halt as a northerly wind blew directly down the eight miles of Loch Ryan making it difficult for the St Ayles coastal rowing boats to launch off the beach.
Topher Dawson of Scottish Coastal Rowing, one of the Chief Umpires of SkiffieWorlds 2025, said: 'We are obviously very disappointed to miss scheduled racing, but safety comes first and we are rescheduling all the categories of racing across the rest of the week when the weather forecast is excellent.
'This is the biggest ever skiff event, and due to the size of it, rearranging the schedule is like a gigantic three dimensional jigsaw puzzle so that people don't have to race too many times in one day.
'Accepting that the weather is unpredictable is part of coastal rowing, and you just have to take it as it comes.'
Stranraer is hosting the largest gathering of St Ayles coastal rowing boats in history, with a record-breaking 79 clubs competing.
The coastal rowing event takes place from 6-12 July with 2,000 rowers competing with teams travelling from as far as Australia, USA, Canada, and South Africa, alongside several teams from the Netherlands and a strong contingent from across the UK and Ireland.
Follow the action as and when it happens here on the Facebook page.
Photo Colin Tennant
Photo Colin Tennant
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The south-west of Scotland has been hailed as the "ideal location" for coastal rowing after hosting a major from round the world were in Stranraer to race on Loch Ryan in the SkiffieWorlds which drew to a close on Ireland's Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club successfully defended their Berends, who chairs St Ayles Skiff International, said the "whole package" had come together at the Scottish event. The St Ayles skiff is a 22-foot (6.7m) fixed-seat rowing boat and is usually built by the community that rows championships take place every three years and were last held in Stranraer in 2019."As a blueprint for SkiffieWorlds I'd say Stranraer is the ideal location," said Mr Berends."It runs very smoothly, the volunteers and the community are tremendous, and it all comes together to create an event that is ideal."Even with the challenging weather at the start of the event, we were able to reschedule easily because of the scale of the water." Teams travelled from Australia, USA, Canada, South Africa and the Netherlands to compete with teams from across the UK and Cuffe, trustee of organisers Stranraer Water Sports Association (SWSA) said: "It's been amazing. I'm in absolute awe that these people have come from so far to fill our beach and to race on Loch Ryan."It's been absolutely fantastic." The SkiffieWorlds is part of wider efforts to promote the area as a water sports has started on a £6.7m hub in Stranraer, which it is hoped can open next next major event to be hosted by the SWSA will be the Scottish Fin and Foil Championships from 8 to 10 August.
Edinburgh Reporter
08-07-2025
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Skiffieworlds, the world championships of St Ayles class of coastal rowing, was due to get underway in Stranraer on Tuesday after strong winds caused the beginning of the international event to be delayed by 24 hours. Some 200 rowers from 79 clubs had signed up for the event including the likes of Eskmuthe from Fisherrow and Portobello's Eastern Rowing Club. Others travelled from much further afield, notably Australia. However, organisers had little alternative but to call a halt as a northerly wind blew directly down the eight miles of Loch Ryan making it difficult for the St Ayles coastal rowing boats to launch off the beach. Topher Dawson of Scottish Coastal Rowing, one of the Chief Umpires of SkiffieWorlds 2025, said: 'We are obviously very disappointed to miss scheduled racing, but safety comes first and we are rescheduling all the categories of racing across the rest of the week when the weather forecast is excellent. 'This is the biggest ever skiff event, and due to the size of it, rearranging the schedule is like a gigantic three dimensional jigsaw puzzle so that people don't have to race too many times in one day. 'Accepting that the weather is unpredictable is part of coastal rowing, and you just have to take it as it comes.' Stranraer is hosting the largest gathering of St Ayles coastal rowing boats in history, with a record-breaking 79 clubs competing. The coastal rowing event takes place from 6-12 July with 2,000 rowers competing with teams travelling from as far as Australia, USA, Canada, and South Africa, alongside several teams from the Netherlands and a strong contingent from across the UK and Ireland. Follow the action as and when it happens here on the Facebook page. Photo Colin Tennant Photo Colin Tennant Like this: Like Related
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