Boat building fever grips area

Boat building fever grips area

17 September 2014

THINGS are hotting up as amateur boat builders prepare for next month’s inaugural Narrows Challenge. Boat building and rowing fever has gripped a number of local villages as they prepare to do battle on Strangford Lough with teams building their very own St. Ayles skiffs.

The latest skiffs were launched last weekend in Killyleagh and Kircubbin with members of the Ulster rugby team in Kircubbin for the event.

A total of nine villages across Lecale and the Ards peninsula including Killyleagh, Ardglass, Strangford, Dundrum, Portaferry, Kircubbin, Portavogie, Ballywalter and Donaghadee are taking part in the challenge.

Teams in each village were given identical kits of the Scottish St. Ayle’s skiff — measuring 22 feet long with four oars — and challenged to build a boat to take part in next month’s race on the lough. The Narrows Challenge is being organised by the Strangford and Lecale Partnership.

The Killyleagh boat, named Skart, took to the water at the town’s harbour last Saturday afternoon and the Kircubbin vessel, named Black Neb Vixen, was launched on Sunday.

Named after a seabird, the Killyleagh vessel has a dark red body and a jet black top plank. The Killyleagh team says it has been overwhelmed by the support it has received from local businesses and groups, especially Mervyn Beers who has lent his boat shed behind The Smugglers Table.

The Ardglass Vikings have provided their expertise and financial support, with William McCloy sponsoring the build by providing materials. Killyleagh Yacht Club also assisted with fundraising and Angela Gilmore’s experience has been invaluable. Maguire’s Nisa Store provided the team with tea and coffee.

The Killyleagh boat builders spokeswoman, Ann Fee, said they would like to thank everyone who helped make their dream a reality, especially the skiff building team whose enthusiasm for this project was “phenomenal.”

Ann added: “I’m delighted our beautiful Skart is now ready to take to the waves to be rowed by the next generation of Killyleagh seafarers. The legacy lives on.”

Dougie Marr, who has been involved with the project from the start, reiterates what a success the project has been so far and how glad he has been to be part of a great team putting together a fine craft.

“We are looking forward to Skart being raced against other communities. We hope she’ll do well for Killyleagh, as other generations have over the last century of rowing races.”

Boat builder Stephen Robinson explained there is more than 50 years age difference in the building team, but it is now up to the youngsters to row, adding: “Let’s hope Skart is first past the post on October 5.”

PSNI Sergeant Nigel Donnelly from the Killyleagh Neighbourhood Policing Team, said the rowing skiff project is building a great sense of community spirit in the area.

He added: “This is a great initiative with which we are delighted to be involved. We have been calling in with the boat builders in Killyleagh and they have made us feel very welcome. We are happy to help everyone involved in whatever way we can. I think this project has really brought the local community together and we are all looking forward to the big race.”

Across the lough, Black Neb Vixen was named after a rocky outcrop that mariners use to navigate their way into Kircubbin Bay — the rock shape resembles a nose or “neb”. She was built behind the Village Inn over seven months by a team of volunteers, from teenagers to people in their seventies. Now the skiff has emerged from the build shed for the whole village to admire.

Kircubbin boat builder, Derek Gilmore, described the launch of Black Neb Vixen as a “proud moment for everyone in the village.” He also thanked everyone involved in the initiative for their support.

During September, rowing and coxswain training for all the teams is being provided by the Sea Cadets, on a first come first served basis. 

The only requirement is that rowers join the Down Coastal Rowing Club, an umbrella club for the boat building and rowing teams for a nominal fee of £5.

Membership is free for under 18s and is open to 11 year-olds and older. The Club’s website will soon be on-line but in the meantime all the training times and dates that are available are on facebook at f:downcoastalrowing. For further information contact Susan McClay at the SLLP office in Portaferry, telephone (028) 4272 8886 or mail susan.mcclay@strangfordlough.org.