Rowing club to stage inaugural regatta
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A flourishing Sutherland rowing club is preparing to host a regatta for the very first time.
Golspie Rowing Club stages an action packed day of St Ayles skiff racing on Saturday, May 4, from its Seafront Centre headquarters.
Rowing clubs from across the north of Scotland are expected to support the event with around ten boat from as far afield as Coigach and Burghead due to compete in a series of races.
Arts and crafts stalls will add to the festive spirit and Sutherland Caledonian Pipe Band will be playing.
There will also be canoeing or mountain biking taster sessions on the day.
Founded in 2014, the rowing club has gone from strength to strength in recent years and now has more than 40 members.
The club’s two hand-built skiffs, Ben Bhraggie and Silver Rock were funded by outside bodies and launched in 2017 – the same year as the refurbished Seafront Centre opened.
Since then teams from Golspie have competed at regattas throughout the north. It is hoped to attend the world championships at Stranraer this year.
Next Saturday’s event has been made possible by funding from Kilbraur Windfarm Community Benefit Trust.
The winning team will be awarded the Campbell Port Trophy, named after the club’s founder, who died in 2018, and made by Bruce Shelley of Sutherland Stonework.
A club spokeswoman said: “It is a fitting tribute to Campbell who is sadly missed but whose memory still inspires the local teams.”
Medals for the individual race winners have been made by technical pupils at Golspie High School
The spokeswoman said everyone was welcome at the event.
She said: “Please come along and support us on the day, It will be a great day with something for everyone, even if you are not competing.”
“The club are always keen to see new members and would invite anyone interested in rowing to come along to our weekly gatherings. There is no bar on age or experience as tuition will be given.”
