Hardy souls take to Dundrum Bay for skiff regatta

Hardy souls take to Dundrum Bay for skiff regatta

27 January 2016

IT may have been wet, and it may have been cold, but that didn’t deter the hardy skiff rowers who took to Dundrum Inner Bay at the weekend.

Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club hosted its Icebreaker Challenge rowing regatta on Saturday marking the start of the first coastal rowing season for 2016. 

The hand built St Ayles Skiffs took part from the villages of Donaghadee, Dundrum, Killyleagh, Portaferry and Strangford; unfortunately two boats were undergoing repairs and couldn’t make it. 

Special thanks have to go to Dundrum Development Association for sponsoring the event, the time keepers and the rescue boat team.

The Frozen Rowlocks Trophy for best club on the day went to Dundrum.

Results

Junior Race: Strangford A- Portaferry-Strangford B.

Challenge 3km: Dundrum A-Strangford-Dundrum B.

Over 200 Ladies 1km: Dundrum B- Strangford-Dundrum A.

Over 200 Mens 1km: Dundrum B-Dundrum A-Portaferry.

Open Ladies 1km: Strangford-Dundrum A-Dundrum B.

Open Men 1km: Dundrum B-Dundrum A-Strangford.

The regatta was the first of many that will be held in the area this year ahead of Skiffie World Championships in July 2016 an event that is being hosted by Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership (SLLP) working closely with Scottish coastal Rowing Association (SCRA) and with the support of the local councils, and communities along the County Down Coast.

Skiffie Worlds will be a colourful and friendly celebration of coastal rowing celebrating the St Ayles Skiff class which has grown rapidly across the globe.  

It is expected that crews from as far afield as Tasmania and Canada will compete at the event.  The Skiffie Worlds will be held off the shore at Delamont Country Park between July 25-30 with a spectacular row in company to round off the week with many boats taking part.  For more information please call 028 4272 8886 / 9006 gillian.armstrong@strangfordlough.org