Strathpeffer and District Community Rowing Club hosts successful inaugural regatta on Cromarty Firth near Storehouse of Foulis; teams from Loch Carron, Cromarty, Chanonry, Golspie, Nairn and Strathpeffer took part
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A LANDLOCKED rowing club’s first coastal regatta has been hailed a success with crews from across the region taking part despite dreich weather.
Six hardy Highland clubs turned up at the Storehouse of Foulis for the inaugural Strathpeffer and District Community Rowing Club Storehouse (SDCRC) mini fun regatta.
Crews from Chanonry, Golspie, Loch Carron, Nairn, Sutor Skiffies, and Strathpeffer kitted up for the monsoon conditions, and fielded teams for a variety of sprint races.
The community spirit shone through as rowers were swapped to make sure boats had crews to go ahead. The races all ran to time and the Invergordon lifeboat and inshore rib came ashore for refreshments.
The Storehouse kept everyone topped up with warm drinks and delicious food in the outdoor kitchen.
The day had a full programme of racing, with 225-plus men’s, open women’s, open men’s, 225-plus mixed categories all included, finishing with a septuagenarian’s race, where all rowers must be 70-plus.
Cromarty-based Sutor Skiffies had a very successful day, winning five of the six races on their way to winning the overall regatta. They were delighted to accept the Oar Trophy designed and crafted by SDCRC builder Conrad Gwyther, made from wood used to build Grebe, Skiff no.176. After the prizegiving, an afternoon expedition to Castle Craig was planned, but the clubs forewent this longer row in favour of a dash to, and under, the Cromarty Bridge.
The Cromarty Bridge was ticked off of Golspie’s bridge bagging list created in honour of founder member Campbell Port, who passed away last year. The SDCRC thanked Invergordon Boating Club for bringing their rib as a safety vessel/umpire boat, The Storehouse of Foulis for acting as hosts and the RNLI for bringing their lifeboats down to marvel at and for holding a life-jacket checking stall.
“Many positive comments were received from visiting clubs and everyone is looking forward to next year’s regatta,” said a spokesman.
