Introduction
This evening, I am posting information on the community based activity of coastal rowing. This activity has experienced strong growth following original boat design in 2009 at the Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, Fife.
More information on coastal rowing
The boat is supplied in kit form, using plywood and larch, from a small workshop in East Wemyss, Fife. Inspiration for the design originated in the Fair Isle, an island equidistant between Orkney and Shetland.
The Scottish Coastal Rowing Association
The Scottish Coastal Rowing Association (“SCRA”)was formed in 2010 since when about 190 St Ayles Skiffs have been built. The skiffs facilitate community involvement across a range of skills such as building, rowing management, fitness and fund-raising.
The SCRA now has over 70 member clubs around the Scottish Coast and on large freshwater lochs. The clubs are introducing their communities to social rowing, expeditions, and friendly racing in St Ayles skiffs and other designs . Thousands of people new to these activities are enjoying the teamwork required to build and race these boats. Participants make new friends and meet and learn about the other communities who share a common history through the sea.
The concept of a community built kit rowing boat came from Alec Jordan of Jordan Boats. Alec continues to supply the St Ayles Skiff Kit at a competitive coast. Thus, this vessel is the most economic way to get on the sea for communities and individuals. The idea was backed by the Scottish Fisheries Museum at Anstruther which commissioned the Skiff design from Iain Oughtred.
The St Ayles skiff became a remarkable success remarkably quickly. It has now attracted world wide attention. This has led to formation of an international class association, the St Ayles Skiff International (“SASI”).
Event organising
Most of the events that rowers take part in are organised by SCRA clubs. SCRA itself though has organised major events that bring the clubs together. These include SkiffieWorlds, the world championships for the St Ayles Class. SkiffieWorlds 2019 was held in a July week in Stranraer. It was attended by more than 30,000 spectators. It featured over 1500 athletes and the economic impact on the area has been assessed at between £3.5million and £4million. SCRA is passing the responsibility for awarding and organising SkiffieWorlds to SASI, who will announce location of SkiffieWorlds 2022.
The skiffs have proved popular with coastal communities around the U.K. and parts of U.S., Australia, South Africa and Europe. Regattas and rowing championships attract large numbers of competitors.
Sea Going Skiff at Cromarty, Black Isle, Scotland
More information for the tourist visiting Scotland
Activities are included in a wide range of information which can be found in the publication, Visitors’ Guide to Scotland. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.