Author: Barbara Agnew

Mike B writes: I am pleased to say that the tides for our rowing next week are much better than they were this week!

The Social Rowing slots for next week are as follows:
Tuesday the 1st of June
18:00 to 20:00, Shielding Rowers in Ferry Lass;
18:45 to 20:45, General rowers in Ferry Maid.
Thursday the 3rd of June
18:00 to 20:00, Limited Exposure rowers in Ferry Lass;
18:45 to 20:45, General rowers in Ferry Maid.
Friday the 4th of June
18:00 to 20:00, Shielding rowers in Ferry Lass;
18:45 to 20:45, Limited Exposure rowers in Ferry Maid.
Saturday the 5th of June
For the Early Birds amongst us, 07:00 to 09:00, General rowers, in Ferry Maid; 09:30 to 11:30, General rowers in Ferry Lass;
10:15 to 12:15, Limited Exposure rowers in Ferry Maid;
12:30 to 14:30, Shielding rowers in Ferry Lass.
Sunday the 6th of June
09:00 to 12:00, Youth Rowing in Ferry Maid;
13:00 to 15:00, General rowers in Ferry Lass;
13:45 to 15:45, Shielding rowers in Ferry Maid;
16:00 to 18:00, Limited Exposure rowers in Ferry Lass.

As ever, RPs and Crew members are sought for all of these slots. Please let me know directly on mikebreewood@gmail.com if you want to take part in any slot, the sooner the better.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Club captain Dónal writes: Well what a week we have had back on the water, with many happy smiley faces. 

Thanks to Mike Breewood for co-ordinating the booking system, he has been doing a tremendous job. Let’s hope for more smiling faces  this week.

Monday 24th May
0725— 1.2 m L.   1342 — 5.6 m H.   2004 – 0.7 m L.   

 Tuesday 25th May
0818 — 0.9m L  1437 — 5.8 m H    2055 — 0.5 m L.

 Wednesday 26th May
0912 — 0.7m L   1530 — 6.0 m H.   2141 — 0.5 m L.  

 Thursday 27th May
1002 — 0.6 m L    1623 —  6.1 m H.  2223 — 0.6 m L

 Friday 28th May 
1049 — 0.6 m L.   1714 — 6.0 m H.   2301 — 0.7 m L. 

 Saturday 29th May
0534 — 5.8 m H.   1134 — 0.7 m L.   1805 — 5.9 m H.     

 Sunday 30th May
0625 – 5.6 m H.   1220 — 0.7 m L.   1857 — 5.6 m H

Club vice-captain Marianne writes: Tomorrow is the big day!  The City of Edinburgh moves to Level 2, and so those of us aged 18+ can join our youths rowers in a return to rowing.

The SCRA has issued new advice, and we are confident that our Return to Rowing Protocol is in line with this.   It’s been a while since we were out, so please reread the updated Return to Rowing Protocol. 

Points to note:

1. We need to continue to sanitise the boat before taking it out, and wash down after, EACH TIME.  Everyone needs to take part.
2. Coxes should continue to wear a face covering, although if the cox and stroke agree, then the cox does not now need to wear one. Coxes – please respect the view of the rower in stroke.
3. Stick to timings.
4. The Shed remains closed.
5. All booking for rowing should be done through Mike Breewood. (mikebreewood(at)gmail.com – thanks Mike!)

Please remember that, as we have seen before, coming out of lockdown can be a fragile process and indeed not all parts of Scotland are moving to Level 2.  Stick to the protocol.  We can all do our bit in making sure we keep each other safe, and continue to be able to get out rowing.

If you have any questions, email me vice-captain@queensferryrowing.org.

We have a packed programme of rowing coming up.  Please make use of the good weather, light nights and get out there!

Mike B writes: Finally, we are able to get ready to row once more!

As we did last Autumn, we will be asking members to allocate or confirm themselves to a particular category for rowing – those who are happy to row with other members who have General interaction with others (such as those who are dealing with the public); those who would prefer to row with members who have a more Limited interaction with others; and those who would prefer to row with members who have been, or are, Shielding.

Following this email, I shall email those in each of the categories using the lists from last Autumn. I would be grateful if the members of each category could email me DIRECTLY at mikebreewood@gmail.com to confirm that they are happy to be in a particular category or to nominate a different category for themselves.

Social rowing slots will be defined, based on tides, for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings (whilst we have the long light evenings) and for Saturdays from 09:00 and Sundays from 13:00. 

I shall allocate social rowing slots to each of the categories described above and email members of the relevant category advising of slot timing and  inviting members in that category to take a space in the crew for the slot. Spaces in crews will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sunday mornings will be reserved for Youth team rowing. Outwith the Social rowing times, boats may be booked by self-selecting groups at whatever time best suits them, subject only to the booking not impacting on times for Social rowing.

Booking requests for such groups should be emailed to me directly and I shall enter them into the relevant boat calendar.

There may well be glitches as we get going again so I’ll ask for your forbearance in advance!

Club captain Dónal writes: As you will know, next Saturday is the 10th Birthday of Ferry Lass. The 10th Anniversary Sub Committee had envisaged that we would have a Youth Crew out in the Lass coxed by Peter to celebrate the occasion. 

However, with the passing last week of the Duke of Edinburgh and his Funeral being announced for Saturday at 1500, it has been decided that we postpone the Row by 24hrs . Therefore the 10th Birthday Row will take place on Sunday 18th at 1400  The idea is to row down towards Queensferry Harbour for 1430 so that we can all take part in the celebrations, observing Covid Regulations of course. 

The Raise a Glass for the Lass  will still take place on Zoom on Saturday 17th April at 1930.  I will send out the link again closer to the time.

Meanwhile, as you may have seen on the SCRA Calendar, our Regatta is down for August 21st, however having been in touch with Port Edgar Yacht Club, it turns out that they have an event on that day too. This means that both Faithful and the RIB will be in use, leaving us without a safety boat or a starter’s boat on the Saturday – plus the fact that the Bay will be extremely busy. 

Because of this, it has been decided to move the Regatta to the Sunday, when we  will have access to Faithful and the RIB. The Regatta Sub Committee will be meeting within the next week to begin the planning of the Regatta, which will form part of Rowaround Scotland.