Busy few weekends

The last few weekends have been busy and the coming few are shaping up the same way across all aspects of the Club.


Having invested in a sailing dinghy better suited to teaching larger numbers, the Committee also co-opted Lindsay Dowds to look after sailing development at the Club. Lindsay and Past VP Al Black are developing a programme, initially for existing members, that will encourage use of the Clubs 3no dinghies. If you want more info please contact Lindsay on sailing@rwsabc.com, or catch up with him at the Club.


Work continues to make the Ladies Changing room and Engine Shed watertight. as well as to waterproof the external brickwork of the main clubhouse. The contractors have been instructed to progress with works on the West elevation now, so hopefully the scaffolding will move out of the back garden.

You may notice that the scaffolding has been decorated with bunting left by Ogilvies. The Ladies changing will be a little busier over this weekend and we wanted to minimise the chance of people walking into it.


Last weekend the Club attended a regatta in Annan. The local club had hosted a long distance race over the last few years from Annan across the Solway and back. This year they added to this with a series of shorter races from Annan Harbour to the mouth of the river and back, approx. 2 miles.

Royal West won the first race and in doing so set the course record. The second race went to FoCCRC and the third race was unrecorded, as the thunder, lightning & rain got the better of the timer’s watch.

Notably, this was Karyn Donnachie’s first win, having started rowing at the Club three years ago. (Go Karyn!!!)

On Sunday last weekend there was another of the very successful series of kayak courses organised by Willie Bell and run by SCA coaches. These are intended to develop the skill levels of our members and provide them with the qualifications to further develop within the sport.

There have also been a few Long Distance kayak trip over the last few weekends. Notably Paul & Jess kayaking from the Club to Oban.

Friday night this week is the July Boat Club Session, with local musicians gather in the clubhouse to entertain themselves and any members who wish to attend.


Saturday is the Club’s rowing regatta, with clubs attending from Arran, Largs, Anstruther & North Berwick. There may also be a few individuals from some of the West coast clubs looking to join in.

Racing starts at 10:30 and will continue until about 16:00. The prizegiving should be about 16:30. There is then a quiz and dancing in the evening from about 19:30 to which all members and their guests are invited.

During the day on Saturday we will be re-dedicating Whiteforeland and Zebra. These boats are 49 & 50 years old respectively. They have been undergoing refurbishment over the last few months, Whiteforeland was worked on in the Club’s Repair shed by Past VP Norman Campbell, while Zebra has been with the team at GalGael in Govan. Along with 2no Pairs, 2no. Sixteens and 2no. St. Ayles Skiffs we will have a fleet of 8 rowing boats available for use by the members. Anyone wishing to know more about use of these boats should contact Karen Graham on rowing@rwsabc.com, or talk to her at the Club on a Tuesday or Thursday evening.

In a couple of weeks, on 12th August, the Club is running the Cross Clyde Swim from Kilcreggan to the Club beach. There is an article with the details in the news page below. If anyone wants to know any more about the event, or can assist Joe in any way, please contact him either on openwaterswimming@rwsabc.com or at the Club on a Thurs & Frid evening.

All members are encouraged to take part in or attend the above events. This is your Club, run for you, by you.