WATCH: Strathpeffer & District Community Rowing Club and Sutor Skiffies set out on 24-hour Cromarty Firth challenge with eyes on world event in Netherlands
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HARDY rowers from Ross-shire have toughed out a 24-hour fundraiser that takes them a step closer the dream of competing on a world stage.
Strathpeffer & District Community Rowing Club, which launched its second skiff, Tern, at the Foulis Storehouse in January, has been invited to attend the World Skiffies in Kortgene in the Netherlands in June.
The first world championships were hosted in Ullapool in 2013 and ever since the sport has flourished coast to coast across Ross.
Each club member in a rowing team at the event will pay their own fares and accommodation.
The club also set out plans to raise £1500 using Go Fund Me (gofund.me/6a6e1a18) to cover the fuel to tow the skiff to the Netherlands and pay for the ferry crossing.
Starting on Friday from the Storehouse of Foulis, a 24-hour relay row to Ferryton on the Black Isle along was launched along with the Sutor Skiffies from Cromarty, who are also raising funds to take their skiff to the 'Worlds'.
The Strathpeffer Club will compete against 59 other clubs from six countries as far afield as New Zealand. It also aims to highlight a great sport to all ages in the local community.
Earlier this year, the launch of Strathpeffer & District Community Rowing Club's new skiff, Tern, was witnessed by around 200 people at a moving event.
Master builder Angus MacInnes was joined by fellow volunteer Andy Wilcox as he pulled the St. Ayles skiff towards the Foulis Ferry slip next to the Storehouse in Easter Ross. It was lovingly built in a barn at Brahan over several months and joins Grebe.
There was a poignant moment for club chairman Tor Justad when the Invergordon RNLI lifeboat Agnes AP Barr appeared on the horizon to join the celebration. His late mother's name is amongst thousands featured on the vessel under its Launch a Memory scheme.
More from the 24-hour row in next week's editions.
History made as Strathpeffer club launches second skiff
