Dónal writes: I can’t believe that is already October. Congratulations to all those who Monstered the Loch and all those who Rowed the Tweed on Saturday. I hope you all had a great time.
This weekend we have rowing on both Saturday and Sunday, hopefully Tropical Storm/Hurricane Lorenzo won’t cause us to much trouble at the weekend but we’ll keep an eye on things and see how it pans out.
Monday 30th September
1003—0.5m L. 1615 — 5.4 m H. 2220 – 0.3 m L
Tuesday 1st October
1046 — 0.3 m L 1657 — 5.2 m H 2302 — 0.7 m L.
Wednesday 2nd October
1129 — 0.1 m L 1738 — 5.0 m H. 2345 — 0.2 m L
Thursday 3rd October
0558 — 5.0 m H 1213 — 0.4 m L. 1821 — 4.6 m H
Friday 4th October
0648 — 4.5 m H. 1300 — 0.9 m L. 1908 — 4.2 m H
Saturday 5th October
0745 — 4.1 m H. 1356 — 1.4 m H. 2005 — 3.8 m H
Sunday 6th October
0958 — 3.7 m H. 1511 — 1.8 m L. 2122 — 3.9 m H
Louise writes: In a departure from the usual Sunday event, this year’s Tweed Row took place on Saturday and was happily a glorious day sandwiched between two poor days. Twenty boats took part this year, mainly from the south-east, though Renegade made the long trip from the west with both their boats and were welcomed by everyone.
Photo by Louise Innes
There were seven of us from QRC, which might have been an awkward number for either (over)filling the boat or swapping at Paxton House but thanks to Portobello, Rachel went up as a passenger in their boat and Duncan and Douglas rowed down river; we are still puzzling as to where they lost two of their crew.
Those who had not done the row before marvelled at the quick succession of the 1624 Berwick Bridge, the Royal Tweed Bridge of 1928 and the impressive Royal Border Bridge opened in 1850 and still carrying the East Coast main railway line.
There followed the tricky stretch of the river where coxes need to navigate the channel and keep away from the extensive shallows on both sides of the river. The new bypass bridge was soon passed and crew could enjoy lovely open countryside interspersed with salmon fishing bothies and ice-houses.
After a two hour row into wind, and against a strong flow on the river, everyone was ready for their picnic with many clubs sharing their sufficiency round anyone who looked hungry. This was a colourful scene with many Northumberland boats in bright seaside paint schemes.
Photo by Douglas Carse
With picnics enjoyed and packed away, many boats continued up river to the Union Chain Bridge, opened in 1820, with a rare view through the trees of Paxton House. Here we came across a flotilla of slide-seat boats about to race down river at speeds only dreamed of by skiff rowers.
Turning at the bridge we benefited from the wind behind us, a flow strengthened by recent rain, a falling tide and 45 minutes later we were back on the beach at Spittal in the mouth of the river.
The weather was perfect, with most crew down to T-shirts for the return row, and fantastic camaraderie that makes our skiff community such a happy group to be involved with. Such was the amazing spread of food and cake at every stage of the day, that despite the calories expended, everyone finished the day feeling more than replete.
Thanks to the Dunbar club for once again organising this lovely social event. I am already looking forward to next year’s Tweed Row and renewing friendships made.
Just a quick reminder that as both boats are away – and North Queensferry’s boats as well! – there will be no social rowing session this morning.
Ferry Maid and Ferry Lass are taking part in the annual Tweed Row and the “Monster the Loch” event on Loch Ness. We wish all the crews taking part good weather and good fun.
At least one boat will be available tomorrow for social rowing at 1pm as normal.
Marianne reports: Two QRC crews took part in this year’s Castle to Crane race. In the W50+ we had Barbara, Donna M, Lesley and Tracey, with me coxing my first race. In the Men’s Open we had Alan D, Gabe and Douglas, with Alan S and Alexander sharing coxing.
All ten rowers arrived at the start in Dumbarton in beautiful warm September sunshine, with a slight breeze. Conditions were perfect.
The Lass’s crew ahead of the race. Photo by Barbara AgnewThe Maid is launched. Photo by Mike McDowall
The W50+ were fifth in the start draw, so slipped into water to a full crowd. After some ‘top tips’ from the bank about which is the sharp end and which is the blunt end (hard to row when you’re trying to get your oars on the right side!), and we settled in for the short row to the start.
Ferry Lass at the start of their race. Photo by Daren Borzynski
A hooter indicated we’d crossed the start and after short row down the Leven and a sharp turn to port at the Leven Perch, we were into the Clyde and really off! We could see out first landmark in the distance, or at least I could (did you know rowing is the only sport you do going backwards?), and as we passed along the Lang Dyke, the Erskine Bridge did not seem to be getting much closer. That gentle breeze had developed into a strong headwind. Despite rowing on a flood tide, this was going to be considerably harder than anticipated.
After the bridge, the sight of four graceful swans flying overhead spurred us on towards our next landmark, the Titan crane. Cue calls of ‘are we there yet?’! No, ‘fraid not! This part of the race, although pleasant, is relatively feature free, and with my promises of relief from the headwind would be just round the next corner, coming to nothing, it felt like a bit of a slog.
Broughty Ferry entered a newly restored 1940s skiff, left, while Topher Dawson of Ullapool devised a novel system for his oars, right. Photo by Daren Borzynski
The next section saw us start to enter a more urban landscape that must’ve once echoed to the sounds of world class shipbuilding industry. The lack of boat movements on this world famous shipbuilding river, when compared to our own, felt rather strange and at times we were rowing alone, with no other skiffs around. The slog continued, with Lesley uttering the immortal words ‘I’m bored with this’! Time to start diverting the crew with ‘power 10s’. Then started a series, a long series, of upping the stroke, one power 10 for each of the crew, one power 10 for Ferry Maid, one for each of the men’s crew, one power 10 for Ferry Lass… ‘Are you ready? Let’s go! On my mark…’. Despite, the headwind, which continued to batter us, Barbara, Donna, Lesley and Tracey responded to each call and got the boat moving.
The Maid’s crew tackling the headwind. Photo by Barbara Agnew
The final section feels like the longest row ever, although a lone seal popped up to wish us on our way. Suddenly round the longest curve ever, the tall ship at the Riverside Museum came into view. But no Finnieston Crane, still hidden from view by yet another curve. The sight of the tall ship again spurred our crew on, and in the knowledge we only had three or so kilometres to go, the boat was moving well again. Now with the finish line in sight, and more importantly the Finnieston Crane, a safely boat frantically waved us to port. Suddenly we were greeted by what must be a traditional Govan welcome, a hail of stones from the bankside! Maybe they were disgruntled slidey seat rowers, but Barbara gave them a good telling-off! Well done to the safety boat who put themselves in real danger to protect us and another skiff – we heard over the radio that their boat was littered with stones.
Two small bridges to go under and suddenly there was the hooter – Castle to Crane completed. Time to break out the jelly babies! As we drifted down river to the slip, we were delighted to see Ferry Lass and the men’s crew, who had started much later in the draw, steaming along in great form towards the finish!
Still smiling after almost four hours of non-stop rowing! Photo by Barbara Agnew
Well done to Barbara, Donna, Lesley, Tracey, Alexander, Alan S, Alan D, Gabe and Douglas for rowing in tougher than expected conditions. The sunny weather made it look benign, though it was anything but! The W50+ came sixth in the Women’s 50+ category, while the Men came fourth in the Men’s Open, pipped to third by only 1 minute 19 seconds, and 14th overall. Many thanks to Mike and Marion, and Alastair and Eleanor, for giving up your time to tow the boats.
GalGael’s flagship Orcuan, a traditional birlinn galley, finishes in style
If we decide to enter next year’s race, should you consider doing Castle to Crane? It’s a tough race with challenge as much mental as physical. I saw that in the faces of my crew while I merely had to sit there, occasionally wiggling the tiller, and trying to come up with motivational chat. However, balance the pain, the blisters and the chafing with the elation and sense of achievement, then YES is the answer! Go for it!
Dónal writes: First off, congratulations to the Castle to Crane crews for a magnificent effort on Saturday. Fourth for the Men’s Open is a tremendous result. Click here to view the full results. and click here for more QRC photos. And for even more photos, taken by professional Daren Borzynski, click here. Finally, click here for the SCRA’s report on the race.
Ferry Lass’s crew came fourth in their category, the Men’s Open, and 14th overall.Ferry Maid’s Women’s 50+ crew all smiles after rowing non-stop for almost four hours. They came sixth in their category.
Sadly this week will be our last week of official evening social rowing sessions, as it is getting dark too early. As they say, “the nights are fair drawing in”. Luckily we should be okay on Tuesday and on Thursday at a push to enjoy the last of the autumn light. Sessions start at 6pm.
There will be no social rowing on Saturday. Both boats will be away, one on the Tweed Row and the other to Monster the Loch, where two crews will row the length of Loch Ness. It is possible there will be only one boat available for the 1pm session on Sunday, as the other may not be back from Loch Ness.
Monday 23rd September
0950—4.7 m H. 1650 — 2.4 m L. 2219 – 4.7 m H
Tuesday 24th September
1104 — 4.8 m H 1753 — 2.2 m L 2334 — 4.8 m H.
Wednesday 25th September
0623 — 1.6 m L 1222 — 5.1 m H. 1847 — 1.8 m L
Thursday 26th September
0720 — 1.2 m L 1326 — 5.5 m H. 1939 — 1.4 m L – Last evening social rowing session of the year.
Friday 27th September
0819 — 0.7 m L. 1420 — 5.8 m H. 2032 — 1.1 m L
Saturday 28th September
0913 — 0.4 m L. 1510 — 6.1 m H. 2122 — 0.8 m L – NO SOCIAL ROWING
Sunday 29th September
1000 — 0.1 m L. 1558 — 6.3 m H. 2207 — 0.6 m L
