Kilclief on the crest of a wave

Kilclief on the crest of a wave

17 April 2024

OVER 200 rowers from around Northern Ireland came to Strangford on Saturday and Sunday for the Spring Series Races hosted by Strangford Coastal Rowing Club.

The conditions on Saturday were testing with 20mph headwinds cutting up the water and battering the over-50 mixed crews as they raced south to Mill Quarter Bay. 

Twenty crews braved the conditions with Kilclief, Whitehead and Cairndhu winning their different categories.

While the water was rough on the way back, conditions were fast with a strong tide and a stronger tailwind. 

The winning under-50 mixed crews were almost nine minutes faster over the same track. This time Dundrum, Whitehead and Olderfleet picked up the medals.

Sunday started with wall-to-wall sunshine. Spirits were high and suncream was applied. 

It soon became obvious that the same headwind was building for the first race and while the sea conditions were better and wind speeds slightly lower, it was still testing for the open women’s race.

Host club Strangford were delighted to win this race again in their skiff with Cairndhu and Whitehead winning their categories.  

On the return leg the hugely impressive Cairndhu quad broke the course record to win the FISA category, with the ever impressive Dundrum men winning the Saint Ayles skiff category and Whitehead the one design section again.

The overall St Ayles Skiff Trophy across all four races went to Kilclief CRC.

Coastal rowing is different to what we see in the Olympics or in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.  It is open to all categories with competitors ranging from age 13 to over 70.  If you would like to be part of this growing sport you can contact strangfordcoastalrowing@gmail.com or any of the other coastal clubs. 

Results

Over 50 mixed

St Ayles Skiff: 1st Kilclief, 2nd Sketrick, 3rd Strangford.

FISA Quad: 1st Cairndhu, 2nd Olderfleet, 3rd Cove.

One design: 1st Whitehead.

Under 50 mixed

St Ayles Skiff: 1st Dundrum, 2nd. Ardglass, 3rd Kilclief.

FISA Quad: 1st Olderfleet, 2nd Strangford, 3rd Cove.

One design: 1st Whitehead.

Open women

St Ayles Skiff: 1st Strangford, 2nd Kilclief, 3rd Sketrick.

FISA Quad: 1st Cairndhu, 2nd Olderfleet, 3rd Cove.

One design: Whitehead.

Open men

St Ayles Skiff: 1st Dundrum, 2nd Sketrick, 3rd Kilclief.

FISA Quad: 1st Cairndhu, 2nd Olderfleet, 3rd Cove.