Arran Coastal Rowing Club, (ACRC) took part in the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club Regatta in Greenock, where they secured a well-deserved third place overall, last Saturday.
Given the quality of the other participants – very strong and well established clubs such as St Ayles Anstruther, North Berwick, Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club in Largs and the hosts – Arran knew it was going to be a challenging competition.
Over the course of the day there were 10 races in a variety of categories – open, 40+ and 50+ for women, men and mixed crews as well as one for juniors. The time trial format of the races was also new for ACRC. Each crew started the races at two-minute intervals with a crew member collecting a baton at the starter’s cabin at the top of the beach, sprinting down the slipway and jumping into the skiff waiting at the beach. The skiff then had to be pushed off the beach by team members and turned by the crew to head for the first turning buoy of a triangular course of approximately 1500m. At the end of the race one crew member had to jump out of the skiff, sprint up the beach and return the baton to the starter’s cabin which stopped the clock. All very exciting for both rowers and spectators.