On Sunday July 30th, we will be welcoming rowers from North Queensferry, Kinghorn, Newhaven and Portobello for our fun regatta. The course will be approximately 750 meters from the old harbour to a finish line shortly after going under the Road Bridge. All the crews will comprise rowers from different clubs so no club rivalry, just crew against crew. There will be 5 boats, 2 from NQ, 1 from Kinghorn and our Lass and Maid. The NQ and Kinghorn boats will be rowed across from the north side on the morning.
A mixed crew in action at a previous QRC regatta
This is a great opportunity for people who have never raced before to give it a try and for old hands to show others what’s involved. Even if you don’t want to race, do come along and watch the fun, help with making the day go smoothly and get to meet members of the other clubs.
9:00 Coxes briefing 9:45 Mens Open 10:30 Women’s Open 11:15 Mens 200+ 12:00 Women’s 200+ 13:00 Youth 13:45 Mixed Decades 14:30 Mixed Novice 15:15 Mixed Blindfold
Queensferry Rowing Club is looking to recruit teams of four people (two men and two women) from community organisations in Queensferry, such as police, supermarkets, clubs – or anyone who fancies it!
The Alan Meldrum Community Challenge takes place on Sunday, September 24th, and the prize is a magnificent wooden trophy.
The boat, lifejackets and coxswain will be provided. A few practice sessions are necessary to compete on the day.
Please apply by writing to secretary@queensferryrowing.org, or phoning Peter on 07763 475 681.
A great highlight of 2023 was the wedding of past captain Donna and her long-time partner and fellow rower Rory. They tied the knot in Orocco Pier in Queensferry on Saturday 10 June.
Afterwards, they posed for photos on the beach under an arch of six oars, beautifully decorated by Marianne, Pat and Val.
Meanwhile, out on the water, a crew was battling a stiff easterly breeze, hoping to raise an oar salute. No such luck, the going was just too rough!
Club captain Marianne writes: Below is the draft regatta and events programme for 2023. A couple of events are confirmed, and we’ll firm up the rest of the programme over the next few weeks, so keep an eye on emails and the noticeboard. Click here to view the full SCRA calendar.
17 June: Dunbar – 1.5km races. Categories: 1.5km races for Open Men, Women and Mixed, 40+ Men & Women, 280+ and Mixed Novice. There is also a longer race, mixed 5.5km.
15 July: Ullapool – 2km races, out and back. Confirmed.
30 July: OUR REGATTA! Kinghorn, NQ, RowPorty, Newhaven. Fun mix and match sprints.
13 August: Eskmuthe, Musselburgh.
26 August: North Berwick. The theatre of pain that is racing around Craigleith.
02 September Castle to Crane – 21 km race up the Clyde from Dumbarton Rock to the Finneston Crane.
24 September: Alan Meldrum Community Challenge. A fun challenge for groups outside the club who have never rowed before.
A bit of fun for the Alan Meldrum Community Challenge
27 September: Five Miles from Home. Fun race in club home waters – form a crew, get a time, post it.
TBC: Tweed Row.
TBC: North South race – The big one! This year hosted by NQ, and run south to north.
October: SCRA Freshwater sprints, Loch Tummel The traditional end of the regatta season.
Freshwater sprints on Loch Tummel
Regattas
Regattas take place in the summer, ranging from shorter sprints to more usual 2km rows to the theatre of pain that is racing around Craigleith at North Berwick. (It’s more fun than I’ve just made it sound though!) Racing generally takes place in age categories, and many races are mixed in age and sex.
Regattas are physically and mentally demanding, and not for everyone, but they are great fun! It’s always a good day out for the club, and a chance to meet other clubs and row in different places.
We also have a few events, particularly towards the end of the season. The most important of these is the North South race against North Queensferry. We currently hold the magnificent trophy.
The thrilling finish to last year’s North-South race. Photo by Scott Boyd
How do I sign up?
A copy of the programme will go on the noticeboard. In time-honoured tradition, sign-up will be using our advanced laser display board, i.e. sign-up sheets using a biro on the noticeboard. Sign-up sheets will start going up shortly. You’ll be asked to put your age next to your name, so we can form crews when the time comes.
Events like Castle to Crane are a chance to meet rowers from all over the country
Training
Sharon is arranging training sessions on Wednesday evenings, and Thursday/Saturday mornings. Please try and do some of these sessions if you’re planning to race so you are confident about racing starts, buoy turns and the demands of racing.
The demands of racing, as seen at Portsoy in 2013. Photo by kind courtesy of Anne McGee
Towers
The ‘away games’ hinge on securing the services of a tower. If you’re able to tow and can help out, please get in touch. The club will pay mileage, and members will be on hand to help load/unload the boat.
Race coxes
If you’ve been through our club training programme (you’ll know if you have) and would like to do some race coxing this season, please let me know. We are hoping to arrange some race cox training.
A race cox in full roar
Any questions, let me know. captain@queensferry.org
Club captain Marianne writes: It’s ages since I did a Captain’s report. Life and all that! A couple of things to update you on.
Ferry Maid
If you’ve been in the Shed lately, you’ll have noted the incredible refurb work that’s been going on. Led by Douglas and Mark, the team has included many contributors carrying out considerably more extensive work than first anticipated. It’s already clear it’s going to be worth it. I hear that we will all have to row in our baffies for fear of spoiling the paintwork!
From this….To this! Photos by Alan Duch
Forgive me for not mentioning everyone here for fear of missing someone out, but you will have your moment in the sun when the boat is done. I feel a shed party coming on!
Commissioning of new oars
We’re bringing this work, which has involved extensive testing and informal surveying, to a conclusion. Thanks to all involved, but particularly Douglas, Alan D and Louise, who will lead on the commissioning with Frank in NQ.
Club kit
You’ll have seen May’s message re our updated kit shop. May has worked really hard with our supplier, Superlogo, and has resolved most of the previous issues. You’ll see a new addition, a white top with our logo in red, cheryfully described by Dónal as our ‘away kit’!
Please talk to May about the shop, but a huge thank you to her for taking this forward.
Club Survey
Thanks to Steph and Anne P for leading on our recent members’ survey. It will help inform the work of the Committee and make sure we’re able to shape the club in the way you want.
Events
The SCRA calendar is beginning to fill up and we’ll shortly start posting event notices for you to sign up to. As ever, if you are a tower, please help us get to these events. I know it is a big ask of a few people.
The Committee is considering holding our own regatta again. We know it’s a popular one with the coastal rowing community. We will need all hands on deck to help us run it. More details to come.
Rowing
Just a reminder about the type of club we are. In a word – inclusive. That means we are as open to all members as possible, any member is able to call a row (subject to securing a skipper), and we try and make sure everyone gets out. That means everything from supporting social rowing to putting calls out to the whole club.
There are so many of you who contribute to the running of the club. You do so quietly and without any expectation of reward or recognition. We are all very grateful for any small efforts the contribute to club life, from maintenance to taking the rubbish out or doing the dishes. It all helps!
As ever, be mindful that there are always members going through life events, be kind and, of course, enjoy your rowing! The nights are slowly becoming lighter, so let’s look forward to evening rowing very soon!
