Excitement builds for international Skiffie rowing championship
This July (24th to 30th) Strangford Lough welcomes crews from over 40 rowing clubs from across the world to a week of Skiffie racing in the beautiful setting of Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh.
Participants will come from Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, the Netherlands and as far away as the USA and Australia!
This is only the second major international rowing regatta for the St Alyes Skiffs rowing boats. Strangford Lough was selected by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association for this year’s competition not only because of its stunning natural beauty but also because of the success of the local community boat builds.
To date nine St Ayles skiffs have been built in communities along the Co Down coast from Dundrum to Donaghadee, supported by Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership, PSNI, and local councils, as part of the EU Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
The boat build has brought together people from different walks of life, young and old from the building of the boats by hand to the painting, naming and formation of coastal rowing clubs which regularly take the boats out on the water. Many started out strangers but became a team, with many new friendships formed.
Coastal rowing is not just a summer pursuit; unlike sailors who generally take their boats out of the water for the winter, the skiff clubs row year round. Skiffie Worlds fever has been in the air as crews have put in serious training even through the coldest winter months, preparations for the big event are now well underway.
The rivalry and the fun are infectious. The Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership, the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association and the local clubs are looking forward to welcoming all the teams, not just rowers, but spectators and festival goers alike to Strangford Lough.
This event has been supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Ards & North Down Borough Council and Sport NI.
It’s going to be a great week of racing in Delamont and a memorable event for Strangford Lough communities with all welcome to spectate. The week will culminate in a spectacular closing ceremony when a flotilla of various rowing and sailing boats including a tall ship will be welcomed back to the villages of Portaferry and Strangford with a full day of festival activities in the villages for all on the 30th July.
So come along and enjoy this special sporting event!
For further information:
- http://www.strangfordlough.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/downcoastalrowing/
- http://www.visitstrangfordlough.co.uk/
- Strangford Lough & Lecale Partnership 028 42 728886 1 The Square, Portaferry, Co Down BT22 1LW
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