Strathpeffer rowing club sets sights on boat-building challenge with launch and regattas on the horizon
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A ROSS-SHIRE rowing club is forging ahead with construction of a third boat ahead of a string of summer season events.
Strathpeffer and District Community Rowing Club is building a 19ft traditional Ness Yoal with volunteers from Ross-shire and beyond, with a launch expected in late spring.
The club's master builder, Angus Macinnes, said: "This build has been a real challenge for all involved as this is our first boat with mast, sail and keel but so far all challenges have been met by the builders.”
The yoal can be both sailed and rowed and will be based at the Invergordon Boating Club.
READ ALSO: More from Ross-shire's buoyant rowing scene
The Strath club has new co- chairs as Hazel Inglis and Nicola Williamson – both from
Contin– taking the reins from Tor Justad who will continue supporting the club he was involved in founding in 2017.
Hazel said: “I am very pleased to be taking on this role as I have always believed that coastal rowing can play a huge part in improving physical and mental health and bringing people of all ages together socially to enjoy both social and some competitive rowing.”
They are supported by seven other trustees, amongst them newcomers Kate Heathcote and Val Hogg.
The club has had rowing sessions throughout the winter, both at weekends and midweek, and these have all been well supported with only a few cancelled due to strong winds.
It;s also busy planning the summer season of regattas. Its own is scheduled for Saturday, September 3 at its base at Storehouse of Foulis.
Other confirmed regattas are at Golspie on July 1 and Ullapool on July 15/16 July.
In May, members will be rowing the length of the Caledonian Canal from Fort William to Inverness with crews for each section together with a skiff from the St. Andrew’s Coastal Rowing Club, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
The club will again be hosting a group of Norwegian students in April who are spending a year at Scottish schools and come to Inverness for a year to do some studies but also sightseeing and social activities.
The club is always looking for new members – anyone over 12 can join and
there are four categories: Associate membership is free and allows for two free rows to try the sport; youth membership up to 18 is free; adult membership is £50 pa and family membership is £75 pa. The fees help to pay for insurance, barn rental for skiff building and other essential costs.
To join, go on to the club website https://sites.google.com/view/sdcrc
