Mike B writes: The week ahead looks fine for our evening rowing, so far as tides are concerned!
Social rowing will be available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with a bookable slot each evening at 6pm and turn up and row sessions also beginning at 6pm and lasting until everyone has had a row, or until it’s too dark to row.
On Saturday, we will have two boats available for turn up and row sessions from 10:00am (the tides force a later start than usual) – but the good news is that the Shed is now open for use and there is the possibility of Saturday morning bacon rolls!
Sunday 22nd sees the start of our section of RowAround Scotland. Both boats will launch at noon. Crew number one is Dónal, Anne P and Anne F as Pilots for the Forth section, George as the oldest member of the Club, plus a Youth member. For the second crew, Dónal will draw names from a hat.
If you wish to take part in the bookable rowing slots on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, please email me directly on mikebreewood@gmail.com. Likewise, if you wish to book a boat outwith normal social rowing times, please email me directly, so I can enter the booking in the relevant calendar.
Dónal writes: I have heard from North Berwick regarding their Regatta on August 28th. They have given their categories, which you can see below. So far we have eight members going to the Regatta, plus the crew that will row from Port Seton on either Friday evening or Saturday morning.
I will put a sheet up in the shed for anyone who wishes to take part to add their name to it. The races at North Berwick will not be around Craigleith as has been usual but rather a straight race from Craigleith.
Club captain Dónal writes: After many emails being sent back and forth between the various clubs surrounding the Forth, we have finally come up with a plan for QRC’s part in the RowAround.
The plan for Sunday 22nd is that we launch both boats at 12pm. We make our way out to the bay where we meet North Queensferry with hopefully both their boats. We then Row down under the Forth Bridge, around Inchgarvie, in by North Queensferry, and then up under the Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing. We then go to the mid point of the Forth where we receive the Baton from North Queensferry. Faithful will be with us throughout, with a photographer or two on board, TBC. These pictures will then be sent to Rowaround for publicity.
The baton is passed from Royal West to new club Royal Northern & Clyde Coastal Rowing team in June
After the handover we all head back to Port Edgar, where we hope to have a BBQ. I say hope, as unfortunately our BBQ King is busy that weekend and is unable to make it so if anyone would like to take up the mantle could you let me know please at dferrie74@gmail.com.
The idea of the BBQ is to welcome all the Members back to the Club after such a long hiatus away and to welcome the new Members to the Club who have joined since we started Rowing again. I’ll have more details for the BBQ once we find a chef.
On Monday 23rd QRC will transport the Baton down to Granton. We will have to leave at 1430 to make sure there is enough water in Granton Harbour when we get there. I am in the process of putting together a passage plan.
The batons, Spirit and Community
At the moment I don’t have timings for the other legs but will hopefully have them in the next few days and we can then arrange crews to suit as the week progresses. If there are any more that wish to take part in the legs there is still space so again contact me on the above email address. I hope this is of assistance and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me.
Dónal writes: This coming week is a big week for our Club as we can return to some kind of normalcy surrounding the shed and getting the boat out (see previous post). However, on top of that there is the return of Peter’s amazing bacon rolls this coming Saturday 🙂
Tides are a wee bit difficult on Saturday, as the high tide is at 0738 5.5m with low tide at 1240 of just 1.0m. Looking at it, it might be worthwhile starting rowing at 0800 instead of 0900, followed by the bacon rolls when Peter comes down. Tuesday and Thursday the tides are perfect for Social Rowing from 1800.
Happy rowing, and see some of you on Saturday.
Monday 9th August 0943— 0.9 m L. 1632 — 5.6 m H. 2152 – 1.2 m L.
Tuesday 10th August 1024 — 0.7m L 1711 — 5.6m H 2229 — 1.1 m L.
Wednesday 11th August 1100 — 0.6m L 1752 — 5.6 m H. 2303 — 1.0 m L.
Thursday 12th August 1130 — 0.7 m L 1834 — 5.6 m H. 2334 — 1.1 m L
Friday 13th August 0654 — 5.6 m H. 1202 — 0.9 m L. 1917 — 5.5 m H.
Saturday 14th August 0738 — 5.5 m H. 1240 — 1.0 m L. 2003 — 5.3 m H.
Sunday 15th August 0825 – 5.3 m H. 1328 — 1.1 m L. 2051 — 5.1 m H
And finally, a little film made by new member May on a recent social rowing session, with a picnic at Hound Point:
Dónal, Val, Maria and Mel on a row earlier this week. Marianne was coxing
Club captain Dónal, on behalf of the Committee and Return to Rowing Subgroup, writes: We’re delighted to let you know that from Monday 9 August we can return to something approaching normal rowing. Yes folks, bacon roll Saturdays are coming back and you can row/cox/skipper as often as you want, or are capable of, in a day!
Please read the following email carefully – there is a lot of important information for you to take on board.
Social Rowing We can now return to normal social rowing arrangements as follows, subject to tide times: ● Tuesdays and Thursdays – from 18:00 One boat will be bookable – watch out for emails from Mike B. For the other boat, turn up, pop your name on the whiteboard and we’ll sort crews on a first come, first served basis. The boats will continue to go out until everyone has rowed. ● Saturdays – from 09:00 (with bacon rolls!) ● Sundays – from 13:00 Turn up, pop your name on the whiteboard (to help us keep track) and row. The boats will continue to go out until everyone has rowed.
Remember, there may be a little wait at busy times. On Saturdays, we will have our famous Shed bacon rolls to keep you busy, as well as the usual tea and coffee at any time. It’s £1 for bacon rolls, 50p for tea and coffee. This is an excellent time to meet with other members, make new friends and chat about rowing!
Head chef Peter makes superb bacon rolls
All other times You can book boats through Mike B as usual at other times. Anyone can call a row as long as you have a qualified RP/Skipper to take you out! Mike can help with that.
Not quite out of the woods yet…. COVID isn’t over, so we will still have to have some measures in place as follows:
In the Shed
Everyone MUST sign in and out of the Shed. You will be asked to scan an NHS Scotland QR code using your phone for track and trace purposes. Alternatively, you can put your name in our track and trace book if your phone can’t scan the code.
The boats should be taken out of the Shed to give us room to circulate, and the doors left open to allow for ventilation.
To allow members space to move freely, please continue to bring only a small bag (for car keys, mobile phone) into the Shed and come ready to row. No changing in the Shed.
The Captain’s Cabin is out of bounds (to allow John H a safe space to work) – the life jackets will be on the rail in front of the oar rack so you access them easily.
COVID Hygiene
Boat touch points and equipment (including lifejackets, oars and radio covers) must be sanitised by spraying and wiping by each crew rowing.
The final crew in each boat should do the usual soapy washdown.
Finally, and most importantly, do not under any circumstances come rowing if you have any COVID symptoms.
Please respect these rules. They are small things for each of us, but will help keep up all safe. Your Committee will keep arrangements under review and tweak things as we see how they work.
The social side of coastal rowing is very important and we’re all keen to get back to it. Thanks to everyone for helping to get us this far. Special thanks to Mike B for doing such a great job with booking, and for Lesley for her work with new members. Thanks also to the RTR Subgroup and the Committee for your support.
