THE NARROWS CHALLENGES

Transcription

1 THE NARROWS CHALLENGES Coastal Rowing Races 5 October 2014 Castle Ward, Strangford (Free Entry Into This Event)

2 The St Ayles Skiff The St Ayles Skiff is a 22 foot, traditionally styled, wooden rowing boat, crewed by 4 oarsmen and a coxswain. Designed by Iain Oughtred and produced by Jordan boats in Fife, their kit format enables communities to build their own quality boats to racing specification. The Skiffs are built of marine ply and finished in spruce with epoxy resin and high quality paint finish. Each takes approximately 800 hours to build. The Skiffs have already caught like wildfire amongst Scottish coastal communities and international interest is growing. The Narrows Challenges The Narrows Challenges project is a community and tourism initiative and is part of the Heritage Management Strategy for Strangford Lough and Lecale. It is really fitting that rowing boats are now being built and raced here as the world s oldest racing rowing boat still in existence, the Royal Oak was built here just over 200 years ago (now at the River and Rowing Museum, Henley). The Narrows Challenges were part inspired by the Routen Wheel Races ( ) where communities rowed boats in Strangford Lough to raise money for the Portaferry RNLI. These first Narrows Challenges will be the start of many local and international races to come. Our boats may soon be entering competitions elsewhere and Strangford Lough may even host a future St Ayles Skiff World Championship! Our thanks go to the many volunteers, individuals and businesses that gave their time, equipment and boat building sheds; our funders, advisors and everyone who has been involved so far, including our filmmaker and photographers. Thanks to the Sea Cadets for rowing training and to the sailing clubs and others for rescue boats and support materials. Special thanks to the many police officers who gave their support and their time and to Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership staff and contractors for unfailing enthusiasm and energy. Many thanks to the National Trust for allowing free entry to this event.

3 Welcome to the first Narrows Challenges, where boat builders, rowing teams and whole communities compete for the coveted trophy in what promises to be a gripping race! Whose boat handles best? Which team is strongest? Which cox can best read the waters and weather conditions? Who wants it most? Whose name will be first on the Narrows Challenges trophy? Over the past 7 months or so teams of volunteers, backed up by a huge community support network, have been transforming sheets of marine ply, larch timbers and epoxy resin into beautiful St Ayles skiffs. From Donaghadee to Dundrum, experienced boat builders have worked alongside novices, fathers along-side sons, daughters and grandchildren, and teenagers alongside people in their seventies. Friendships were forged and teams developed. Now those boat-building teams are handing over to teams of rowers.

4 The Narrows Challenges sees the first events in what is expected to become a fixture on the international coastal rowing calendar, the Narrows Challenges. This year the boats are being tried out for the first time and the focus is on the local teams. In future years invitations will be extended to anyone wishing to compete in the unique conditions afforded by the turbulent waters of the Narrows and its adjacent sheltered bays. All races have been timed and the courses set to suit the tidal conditions and the experience of the competing teams. The Main Challenge Departing from Black Boat Bay, Portaferry, the top teams will battle it out across the Narrows to be first to have their name on the beautifully carved trophy. The Sprints A series of sprint races will be held with pre-booked teams competing in a number of categories across Castle Ward Bay. From competitive teams to more relaxed rowers, the craic will be mighty when these folk take to the water! Race Officers: John McAlea and Gerry Reilly Narrows Challenges Race Programme 09:00 Registration for the Narrows Challenges and coxes briefing, RNLI, Portaferry Station 09:15 Boats in the water in Portaferry Narrows Challenge Race from Portaferry around Swan Island, Strangford, finishing in Castle Ward Bay 11:00 Registration for the Sprint Races and Coxes Briefing in Strangford Sailing Club 11:30 Sprint Race Practices 12:00-14:30 Sprint Races 15:00 Prize Giving Presentations

5 Ardglass Lass Ardglass Ardglass Lass was the first St Ayle s Skiff to be built and launched on the island of Ireland. She was built at Henderson s premises at Ardglass Harbour. Skart Killyleagh The word used in Killyleagh for a cormorant is a Skart (probably from the Viking Skary ). It s a fast bird, which skims straight and true over the waves, so a perfect name for the Killyleagh skiff. She was built in premises provided by the Smuggler s Table. Black Neb Vixen Kircubbin Kircubbin s Black Neb Vixen was named after a dark, nose (neb) shaped rock that mariners use to navigate into Kircubbin Bay. She was built behind The Village Inn.

6 Strangfjörthr Strangford The beauty of the wood can really be appreciated in this varnished boat. Children from Saint Joseph s Primary School named their boat after the Viking word for Strangford, reflecting the fast turbulent waters here. She was built at Laverty s of Ballyculter. Portaferry (Seahorse) At the time of going to print, Portaferry had yet to name their boat, but her colours are those of the sea. Smith s Undertakers kindly provided the Portaferry boat-building shed at their premises off High Street. Danny Buoy Dundrum The Danny Buoy was built in Flynn s Yard beside Rooney s Garage in Dundrum.

7 Wave of Friendship Ballywalter The Ballywalter boat is Wave of Friendship, the name given to her by Ballywalter Primary School. She was built in premises provided by the Forum for Action on Substance Abuse (FASA) group in the centre of the village. Ramharry Donaghadee In Scandinavia Ramharry means rough and strong. It is also the name of a rock attached to Mew Island off the coast of Donaghadee. The Ramharry Race is formed by the strong tides of the North Channel coming into conflict with those swirling around the entrance to Belfast Lough. This boat was built at Shields, just off high street. Portavogie The Portavogie boat has commenced construction under the guidance of expert boat builder Willfie Taylor. Pictured here with John Murray from Portaferry, at the very start of the project when the flat packed sheets of marine ply arrived.

8 Down Coastal Rowing Club is currently administered by the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership. It shares the Partnership s aims to develop interest in community coastal rowing and paddling, oversee the Narrows Challenges, promote the area s maritime heritage and wildlife, and contribute to the local economy and well being. In its first few months of operation it already has a membership of 200. For heritage and for people Further information: Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership No 1 The Square, Portaferry BT22 1LW Tel: / Down Coastal Rowing Club The initiative was developed by the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. It has been approved by the Down Rural Area Partnership as part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development : Europe investing in rural areas and it is supported by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Down District Council, Ards Borough Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.