This weekend in September may need to be commemorated in some way. Clubs and individuals with a passion for Coastal Rowing have, over a period of 48 hours, demonstrated what can be done with some community spirit, team work & common sense.
Yesterday Coigach came second in the mixed category at London’s Great River Race, a race featuring 300+ fixed seat boats, over 22 miles of the Thames. They were joined by PowPorty & North Berwick in representing SCRA in this race.
Yesterday one of the newest clubs to the association, Newburgh, runs its first St.Ayles Skiff regatta.
Yesterday Crail, another new club to the association, won two of the five races at Newburgh and are second in another two. What a result for this new club.
On Friday Ali Grant of RowPorty passed her final assessment for a UKCC Level 2 Fixed Seat Coaches Award. Success follows success and on Saturday Jon Gerrard and John Curtis of Cockenzie & Port Seton also passed thier assessments. Ali is the first Scottish Female UKCC Level 2 Fixed Seat Rowing Coach.
Above is the group of aspiring coaches during thier face-to-face weekends in April at Royal West. Next weekend Iain Sinclair of Mid-Argyll RC, Mick Boden & Alan Farrell of Troon CRC and Robbie Wightman of North Berwick RC are being assessed. We all hope that the SCRA “light of success” shines on them.
What a weekend for the individuals involved, the clubs that they are members of and the Association we are all members of. Scottish Coastal Rowing has a lot to be proud of this weekend.
Adam Graham
SCRA Training & Development