Dundrum reign supreme

Dundrum reign supreme

16 July 2025

THE members of Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club are world champions once again. 

The club have secured the title in the past four St Ayles Skiffs Rowing World Championships which take place every three years, previously winning in 2016, 2019 and 2022. 

At this year’s competition held in Stranraer the team achieved 480 points overall with an impressive medal haul of eight gold, two silver and five bronze.

This year, 78 clubs from Australia, Canada, England, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and the USA competed, while seven clubs from Down travelled to Stranraer: Ardglass, Dundrum, Kilclief, Killyleagh, Portaferry, Sketrick and Strangford.

High winds and seas prevented racing on the first day but a heat wave developed over the week and conditions became perfect for the Dundrum team to row to victory.

Eileen Watson, a Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club committee member, said everyone in the club contributes to their success.

“Everybody plays a vital role. It’s a community, not just a sports club,” she said.

“Everyone cheers each other on and supports each other’s talents. Our youngest competitors were 14 and our oldest was 80.

“We always come back from the World Championships on a high, it’s a heartwarming and uplifting event. I’ve never received so many hugs as I did at last week’s competition.”

Eileen gave a special mention to the club maintenance team, secretary Orla Ruddle, chairperson Emma Killen, junior crew coaches Shannon Connor and Aidan Parry and Robert Graham, as well as Down Coastal Rowing Club for supporting all local clubs.

There was also success for other local clubs at the competition. 

Ardglass Coastal Rowing Club finished at a ranking of 8th in the world, after becoming world champions in the Over 40s Ladies and Open Ladies competitions, with two junior teams also receiving bronze and 12 teams achieving top 15 finishes. 

Dougie Marr, chair of Down Coastal Rowing Association, congratulated all the coastal rowers who represented County Down.

“Special congratulations to Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club who retained the trophy against strong contenders from Scotland, the Netherlands and Co Down,” he said.

“Our clubs were to the fore in many of the age categories, from under 17 year olds all the way up to the 280-plus event, where the combined ages of the rowers is at least 280 years.

“In the open races on the final day our clubs were medal winners in the Women’s, Men’s and Mixed categories.”

Dougie said many Co Down rowers helped out other clubs by filling boats from their own and other countries that otherwise wouldn’t have raced, leading to some getting medals.

“We also helped with umpiring, on and off the water and volunteering with the event organisers. The races were displayed on huge screens with drone footage from Killyleagh man Darren Brown,” he said.

“All in all, we had a great week of racing and all Co Down clubs did us proud. Well done everyone.”