The opening regatta of the 2013 season saw a strong North Berwick team heading north to Coigach. The NB advanced guard (Issy) managed to secure our usual camping location and before long a bustling NB community had sprung up, much to the surprise of some fishermen who came back to find their tent surrounded. The final stragglers arrived shortly after midnight to find that several of their colleagues had at great personal sacrifice remained in the pub to welcome them.

The day of the regatta dawned cold and windy but mercifully dry. The racing got off to a thrilling start with our ladies open crew getting involved in a neck and neck battle for second place with Ullapool as Coigach surged ahead. At the finishing line, even the sophisticated measuring equipment couldn't separated the Skiff John B and the Ulla and so a dead heat was declared. Our Mens open crew also starred with an undisputed second place behind Coigach.

As the day progressed, the weather brightened slightly and the rain held off though it could be seen falling all around. A pattern soon emerged in the race results as well, Coigach won everything with North Berwick crews finishing strongly in many events. Particularly noteworthy was a second place for the mixed 55+ crew. The full results can be found here.

Well satisfied for the most part with their days rowing, the North Berwick team retired to the campsite to slake their thirsts with some isotonic sports lagers and beautify themselves in preparation for the meal, prize giving and ceildh to come. The food was excellent and there was a pleasant surprise. Rather than the parade of winning Coigach crews that had been expected, the regatta organisers had devised a points system with so many points being allocated for first place, second place etc. When the points were totted up, North Berwick were found to have come in silver medal position, 102 points behind Coigach and two points ahead of Ullapool. Every member of the North Berwick team was invited to come up and collect their runners-up medal, hewn from the propshaft of the old Kylesku ferry. The full score sheet can be seen here.

With the formalities over, the dancing, drinking, socialising and analyzing of results continued long into the night.

On the Sunday which dawned sunny and warm, the traditional race to nearby Tanera Mor took place with North Berwick once again featuring strongly and coming third after the two Coigach boats. After a pleasant couple of hours on the island, the rowers made their way back to the mainland and in many cases began the long trek home. Those who remained had an impromptu barbecue on the beach beside the campsite alongside our fellow rowers from the other clubs.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and a great start to the 2013 regatta season. Thanks go to the Coigach organisers for some superb organisation and to all of the North Berwick team who worked so hard to make the weekend one to remember. Particular thanks go to Hugh and his crew for the lightning fast redesign and production of our oarlocks and to Clive for making sure that the boat trailer had a set of wheel bearings capable of carrying the John B to the far north and back.

Captain Craig