Dundrum rowers take back world title

Dundrum rowers take back world title

17 July 2019

HOT on the heels of their Narrows Challenge win last month, Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club cruised into first place once again at the Skiffie World Championships in Stranraer at the weekend. 

The local rowers retained their overall world title  by taking home six gold, five silver and one bronze medal in some of the most horrendous conditions club chairman and coach Andrew Boyd has ever seen.

Describing the success as “nothing short of phenomenal,” Andy said he couldn’t be more proud of his world class rowers, especially the three junior crews. 

He said: “I overheard one local say this event was one of the best things to happen to Stranraer in ten years as people came from all four corners of the globe.

“The sport, which inspires coastal communities to make the most of their shoreline, has grown almost two-fold since the world championships were first held three years ago.

In 2016 there were just 31 clubs taking part across several heats, with 15 boats taking part in each heat. This year the world championships saw 55 clubs from around the world take to the waters of Lough Ryan. 

Among them were Strangford, Killyleagh and Sketrick Coastal Rowing Clubs who proved to be highly competitive, with Sketrick coming second place to Dundrum who lifted the overall points trophy for the second time.  

A delighted Andy said: “I put our success down to the dedication of our crews throughout a gruelling winter training schedule which saw members come out three nights a week. Now that’s what I call dedication. 

“We won the world title in 2016, just two years after we formed as a club. The championships were held in Strangford Lough and our members received very little in the way of recognition in the Scottish press. To win the title in Scottish waters this year, well you can only imagine. 

“It was the fuel that motivated us and as club coach I couldn’t be more pleased.” 

Andy said the 50 plus mixed crew final heat was the highlight of the competition. The Dundrum crew won it with just 1.7 seconds to spare against Strangford. 

“Although this is one of the toughest sports, and is dominated by strong fit crews, each age category from U-17 to O-70 carries equal points in the overall scoring system and clubs are keen, as a result, to involve all age groups.” Andy explained.

“The mixed categories produced some stunning racing with the best of the men combining with the best of the women in six different categories.”

The Dundrum rowers were presented with their awards by Princess Anne, who was the guest of honour at the award ceremony.

Added Andy: “The standard of competition and quality of rowing is clearly making extraordinary progress in this part of the world with new clubs being set up each year, new boats being built by local communities and new rowers getting out on to the water to enjoy both the racing and the coastal environment.

“Our next goal is to attain a boat house and we hope to have some fun-filled fundraisers to help the club move forward.”