Saturday saw crews from the East and West Coast of Scotland, along with a team from the Netherlands compete, for the Colin Ross Memorial Salver at Royal West
Competing alongside Royal West were Anstruther, who brought two boats, North Berwick, Carrick Coastal Rowing Club, Firth of Clyde, Troon, Groot & Grut (Netherlands) & Queensferry.
Our course consisted of two longer distance races at 1.5 kilometers from the club beach out the far channel mark with a starboard turn towards another mark 150 yards off Roseneath Street, then the final leg back to the beach. The first race over this distance was the open event with clubs fielding their strongest crew. Each crew had to pick up a token from the timing position which started the timing clock, then sprint to their waiting boats being held on the beach. Each went at 1 minute intervals which made for some interesting beach launches in a strong easterly wind. There was the potential to leave behind a crew member if the timing of the runner wasn’t right. Sea conditions were quite difficult with the strong gusting easterly and outward tide, some crews didn’t adjust for the windage and found themselves downward of the mark significantly at the first turn. The second “triple top” race (Combined age of the rowing crew to exceed 180yrs) was shortened by 500 yards due to the conditions.
The Club “triple top” crew contained a couple of rowing stalwarts, Mat Henderson & Hugh Kerr. Hugh kindly took time out of his hectic kayaking schedule to participate.
The longer races had dry conditions, however the weather forecast was depressingly accurate in predicting torrential rain mid afternoon. The sprint events took place in lighter wind & sea state but increasing rain, by now everyone was soaked and seeking shelter in the clubhouse when not rowing, one competitor was heard saying the rain was that hard it hurt!! Despite the conditions everyone battled through and in true coastal rowing tradition helped move boats around and pack up.
The Club Committee would like to thank everyone who helped out in some way. Special mention to the ladies who baked and manned the stall, Billy Carrol, Al Black (Vice President) and Craig Edgar for rescue cover, Joe Heffernan for timekeeping & results and Jim Ford Chief umpire. He had a particularly difficult task in very bad weather at the Start line of the sprint races at the Roseneath Street slip.
Anstruther took overall regatta win however the was extremely close in points with North Berwick, Royal West came 4th in the points … Royal West won the Quiz later that night ….
Long Races
Best Crew – North Berwick in 19mins 36 secs
Triple Top – Anstruther B in 13mins 49secs (short course)
Oldest crew in Triple Top – Troon at 288 years
Sprints
Open Ladies – Anstruther B
Open Men – North Berwick
40+ Ladies – North Berwick
40+ Men – Anstruther A
Open Mixed – North Berwick
Novice – Queensferry
40+ Mixed – Anstruther B
60+ Men – Carrick
Overall awards
Highest scoring overseas entry – Groot & Grut
Overall regatta winner, taking home the Colin Ross Memorial Salver – Anstruther A
Overall results as follows:
1. Anstruther A – 254
2. North Berwick – 252
3. Anstruther B – 208
4. Royal West – 194
5. Queensferry – 192
6. Groot & Grut – 136
7. Troon – 108
8. Carrick – 88
9. Firth of Clyde – 40
Sponsors
React Catering Services Ltd.
Greenock Telegraph
Home Store, Nicolson Street, Greenock
Clyde Outboard Services
Michael Wares Cater Hire