Dunbar Regatta 2023
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A day out in Sunny Dunny! What a treat for the NBRC rowers, so a contingent of 28 rowers headed around 10 miles East to row in ‘the proper North Sea’ at Dunbar International Regatta. We hadn’t attended this regatta since pre covid times but our long-standing members shared some tales of past events and we practiced in sporty conditions so we were ready.
On arrival in Dunbar, it became clear that the proper North Sea was going to deliver. Prime viewing spots were established at the harbour entrance for the start and first buoy and the battery for the rest of the race.
After the coxes briefing the Open Men’s crew headed out of the calm harbour to line up for the start. Unfortunately a race to the first buoy didn’t work out in NB’s favour and a 360 penalty was given to the crew, after waiting for all crews to pass, the crew turned then did a fantastic job racing down the back straight to regain three positions and finished a respectable joint 4th.
We had a little more luck in the Open Women’s event which was up next. A very prompt start from the umpires left NB and the Netherlands racing for the first buoy. A big push and clear water advantage at the three boat lengths mark meant priority into the first turn. Then the challenge was to hold the lead. The ladies held out despite some extreme pressure from both NL and Broughty and crossed the line first to collect gold.
The course was then shortened bringing the approximately 1.5km promised down from 2.4km ish to nearer 2km. Both the Men’s 40+ and Mixed 270+ had fantastic races both coming 5th. And NB’s Women’s 40+ crew delivered an outstanding 4th place starting with a great race to the first buoy and then rowing strong down the back straight.
Finally the Poo Buoy race! Around 5.5km round trip, but with half the crew having completed Ocean to City a couple of weeks earlier, we knew the stamina was there. After over 30 minutes of really challenging rowing, the crew were rewarded with 3rd place. Overall, we had a terrific day out in the sun and had plenty of opportunity to compare stories with our fellow skiffies on whose race was most exciting and which was the best cake.
Well done to everyone who competed and thank you to Dunbar for providing us with such an exciting regatta. Next stop Ullapool! For more photos from the event head to our Flickr album by clicking here.
Broughty Ferry Regatta 2023
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On 3 June, 14 members, two supporters and two dogs travelled to the leafy suburbs of Dundee for their annual regatta. This was NBRC’s sixth attendance at the event which has become a favourite in the calendar and was further enhanced with the fact it was a glorious sunny day with just a light easterly giving a challenging row at the start and finish of each race.
The smaller team meant we only competed in five of the eleven races and we were not able to enter the novice, junior and older women’s competitions. The 2km triangular course provided a fair test and races were set off in two waves so crews were aware that they were competing against boats in the other race so there was no letting up even if your skiff was well ahead.
Thirteen clubs took part, mainly from the Dundee area and the north east coast and Cromerty was the furthest travelled with Eastern and us the only two from the south side of the Forth. We didn’t have our full squad and so advance predictions didn’t stand for much although Bro’ty were expected to have home advantage and Eastern are always strong in depth.
Our day got off to a good start in the Women’s 40+ winning the bronze prize following in the two favourites. Brot’y and Eastern also just beat us in the Men’s 60+ for our second medal of the day. This was a remarkable achievement considering one of our crew was born in the early days of the second world war.
Things got even better for us later in the day when our Women’s 50+ crew pipped our main rivals and won gold. Another gold followed when the Women’s Open once again beat the host club and our Eastern friends to complete our haul for the day. The Men’s Open crew had a slightly disappointing outing missing out on the bronze medal by about 20 secs where there was a lot of packing in by clubs in the race which lasted just over 12mins.
Eastern won the overall event having completed and scored points in all the races. There were lots of compliments to Brot’y for their seamless organisation, hospitality and catering. We all agreed that we look forward to our next trip to the River Tay.
More photos of the day can be viewed here.
St Baldred goes to Cork
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On Thursday 1st June, 5 of our members, Norma Loudon, Jo Drewitt, Clive Drewitt, Duncan McKay and Ann Hume, packed up St Baldred and set off on their journey to take part in the Ocean to City race, An Rás Mór, in Cork. We were to be just 5 of 650 participants and 1 of 230 boats.
It was a very early start, travelling to Cairnryan to catch the 11.30am ferry to Belfast. We then headed off to Cork, passing Dublin on the way. It was a long journey, eventually arriving in Cork about 7.30pm and had an interesting time getting to our accommodation. Narrow streets, parked cars, and a boat on a trailer are not a good mix! After settling in, food and drink were required with Clive enjoying his much-needed pint of Guinness after the long drive.
Friday morning was time to relax and explore Cork city which is lively and cosmopolitan before getting the boat hitched up again to take her to the start at Crosshaven. Here we launched the boat and rowed it to a pontoon ready for the race. All went smoothly, apart from the dramatic exploding jockey wheel so some heavy lifting was required! It was really good to meet rowers from different areas and see different boats, all getting ready for the race.
Race day, Saturday 3rd June, involved an early start to get the bus to Crosshaven in time for coxes’ briefing. There was a great buzz of excitement as crews did their final preparations for the day ahead and inspected how each other’s boats worked. We were one of 8 St Ayles Skiffs. The wide selection of boats included Cornish Pilot Gigs, Dragon Boats, Currachs, Naomhogs and Celtic Longboats to name just a few, as well as plenty of sliding seat boats. It was a glorious sunny day with a fresh Easterly breeze so plenty of water and sunscreen were important!
Clive, Ann, Jo, Duncan and Norma all ready to go
At 11.39am we were off, heading out towards the Atlantic Ocean to the first gate at Roches Point with Jo in the cox’s seat. Conditions were tough, heading into wind and waves, but these eased as we turned the gate to head north. It felt good to be making ground, catching up and passing other skiffs and boats as we got into a good, steady rhythm. After a swift change, Ann took over coxing the next stretch which took us west past Cobh where crowds were cheering on from the prom and an incredibly big cruise ship anchored there.
The next gate was at Monkstown where we turned to head north again. The conditions were ideal here and we were able to increase the pace. Another swift cox change saw Norma take over for the final stretch which took us across Lough Mahon, overtaking a noisy Dragon Boat before reaching the River Lee. Duncan and Clive just kept on rowing the whole course, and we sped past Blackrock Castle and onwards to the finish in the centre of Cork where we could hear the crowds cheering as boats got to the finish line which we crossed in 2:58.45, third fastest St Ayles, behind a youthful Men’s Open crew from Dundrum and hot on the heels of a mixed crew from Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club (FOCCR’s). All hot, tired, and blistered but very happy that we had succeeded in completing the course in under 3 hours.
After crane out and a quick change, we headed out for a celebratory meal then joined fellow competitors at the after party, being entertained by fantastic young musicians and learning a new dance. Much hilarity ensued.
Sunday involved another early start as we headed back to the ferry at Belfast for the return journey home and to the end of an incredible adventure.
If you would like to find out more about the event click here
More pictures of our adventure can be seen here
A short video of the first leg can be seen here
Row Porty and Eastern's Regatta Saturday 20th May 2023
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It was an early morning start for Blackadder, as she headed along the coast to Portobello beach for the first time in 4 years, for the combined Row Porty and Eastern Regatta. Enthusiastic rowers followed on, to be greeted by this huge expanse of soft golden sand, something we’re not quite used to in North Berwick at the moment! The tide was far out on arrival, no wind, and the presence of a low mist hovering over the sea all day created an eerie calmness. With 7 clubs competing, including Ullapool who had travelled the furthest, this 2k race involved rowing 1km eastwards parallel to the beach, around a buoy on starboard, and then powering back westwards for 1km to the finish line. Not for the faint hearted!
Our first race was the Men’s 200+, who successfully took gold, what a start to the day! This was followed by the Women’s 200+, which took a turn of events after crossing the finish line in third place, when they found out Eastern had been disqualified for turning on the wrong side of their buoy. So our ladies accepted a lovely silver medal! The third race of the day was the Men’s Open who brought home a Gold medal with a clear win. Racing took a short break as there was a protest on organised by “Surfers Against Sewage”. Many people gathered on the beach to protest to keep our waters clean and fresh.
The afternoons racing kicked off with the Women’s Open, who’s impeccable timing and determination whilst in 2nd place at the buoy turn against Eastern, gained a powerful distance in the final stretch to win Gold. It’s always a tough race against Eastern, who broke a pin in the last 500m. The Mixed Decades followed with another Gold medal and a novice now no longer a novice! Well done to Saartje. Next up was the Mixed Open, another competitive race with Eastern only 4 seconds behind them so another Gold. Meanwhile, the waiting crews were preparing themselves for the anticipated blindfold race, in which we came first. A lot of hilarity and shouting from the coxes could be heard “in, in, in..” during this 1km race, starting at the buoys. The final race of the day was Andy’s race, where club boats are used with their own coxes but have random crew from different clubs. A great way to try a different skiff.
In buzzing Portobello, cafes and vans are plentiful along the promenade, so cakes, ice-creams and strong coffees were never in short supply and certainly boosted energy levels throughout the day. And I’m sure Tilly and Maisie (doggie support duo) had their fair share too, especially with the ice cream!
Many thanks to Row Porty and Eastern for pulling together a great regatta. You couldn’t have picked a better day for the conditions, the medals were beautifully made miniature oars. I think NB now have their deserved fair share..enough to row to the Bass Rock perhaps!?
A big thank you also to the Drewitts for towing Blackadder there and back! Anyone ready for another regatta?
More photos of the day can be found here
Port Seton Regatta 6th May 2023
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Seven teams headed along to the first regatta of the season at Port Seton this weekend. It was overcast and misty much of the day with rain showers and even a bit of thunder to add some drama to the racing!
There were some worried faces on arrival at the lack of water in the harbour but within a couple of hours, and just about on schedule, the tide came in and there was enough water for racing to kick off.
The races were short and fast with boats navigating around two buoys at opposite ends of the harbours. The fastest two crews in each category qualified for the final.
Well done to all the crews who competed, it was a day of fast and furious racing! The Mixed Open A crew started the medal tally for North Berwick with a silver in their incredibly close final against Port Seton’s Boatie Blest crew. The Mixed Open B and the Women's Over 40 crews brought home gold, both battling against Eastern in their finals and the Men's Open crew also triumphed to win gold against Boatie Blest. The Women's Open crew got silver in their close fought final against Boatie Blest and 2 bronze medals for the Women's 50+ and Mixed 50+. The best results though were three of our novice rowers winning Gold, meaning they are no longer novices! Fantastic, well done Jess Ivy, Jen Wilson and Robert Eckhart.
It was a great start to the regatta season with Port Seton putting on a brilliant spread of food, cake and refreshments, keeping us all going throughout the day. The medals were lovely, made from the old keel of their boat and some local coal. Thanks to all the members who towed, packed, set up, put away, filmed and photographed the day! Check out the photos of the regatta on Flickr and videos on YouTube.
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