Cockenzie Chimneys
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On a very calm and surreal morning we headed to watch Cockenzie Power Station twin chimneys be blown to the ground. The weather was so still, with a but of warmth to. Sea was almost glass like. Our two boats mustered with all three Boatie boats, plus Anster and Dunbar. The Port Seton harbour was a mass of activity. Boats were launched into the bay and we all rowed together upwind. The sight must have been amazing from the air, so many drone I'm sure we'll get to see, every type of water craft out in front to watch the sombre end of two iconic landmarks. On the stroke of noon a large bang reverberated through our bodies and they fell into each other with amazing cheers whistles and emotion all around. Another bang sounded sharply after as the engine room at the front went up. We hung around for quite a while after, meeting briefly with Musselburgh and waving to Porty too. What a dust went down towards Port Seton. We plodded slowly back in to harbour, after raising a glass (polystyrene cup) of fizz to our nearly Mrs Robertson, what a way to spend your last weekend of freedom. Thanks especially to our towers Hugh and Craig, couldn't do it without you.
Next stop the Tweed
Dolphin Spotting Sept 2015
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When most of North Berwick were still tucked up in their beds, ten mad souls dragged themselves to the harbour for the first, of hopefully many, captains' coffee and cake social rows.
The bells were just chiming 8 when we launched into a fantastic morning sea. Going out the West Passage at just after full tide we got our first sighting of the dolphins just off the rocks. Totally amazing. Our two boats followed to The Lamb where we appeared to lose them. On through to Fidra where we landed and climbed to the topmost point. Views were stunning, but I think it's fair to say the cakes were best. You could have heard a pin drop as we all munched and drank coffee admiring the views and the dolphins between us and the shore. After our well earned rest we started our descent. We were trying to ignore Alan as he wandered off for some peace.... but were all surprised when he arrived back at the boats, in a pirate outfit.....strange things happen at sea. What a guy.
It was a bit of a stretch getting back into boats with the tide falling. Boats were backed out again from the little harbour with fantastic skill, and we started the lovely row home. Landing back on the beach as the clock struck 11. A superb morning with an excellent wee gang. Come join us next time, watch for the shouts, where will we go next time??
Captains medium and RED
Tiger Cup 2015
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After calling off the Tiger Cup earlier in the year due to storms, we grabbed the good weather window yesterday to have a quickly arranged internal, friendly knockout race competition that I'm sure would make the founder proud. Twenty red shirts gathered on the beach for what turned into a lovely day, the aea state was pretty good with a light swell, almost full tide, and very little wind.
Names were drawn from a hat (red carrier bag) and teams picked their coxes; John B and St Baldred were raring to go. The first two crews headed out for a warm up to the front of the Craig, as others gathered above Galloway's Pier to watch or tended our wee beach fire. We had four teams racing and a fifth full of youngsters having a jolly. The races were all very closely fought neither boats winning by more than a boat length. After the first two races we had a wee break to get the youngsters out.
The final was then under way. Lou, Dave, Lizzie and Sheena against Simon, Ian, Sandy and Steve. Again it was very closely fought out, with almost a girls team against a boys, (sorry DD) so really if the handicap had been in situ.......??!!
Well done to the boys, who were Tiger Cup Winners 2015. Marshmallows, chocolate bikkies, and cake to polish off the afternoon. Thank you to everyone for putting your oars in and pulling hard, what a great afternoon.
North Berwick Regatta August 2015
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We do like it rough at NB ! The sun shone and the wind certainly blew.
White horses and big side waves to the Craig, a nice bit of clapotis then settle in for a breather in the good water round the back...and steel your selves for the wall of wind and final sprint for home.
More than one club commented that this is what coastal rowing is all about and our experience of these conditions certainly paid off.
Some great wins for us in the Mens 40 plus, Mixed 60s, ladies 50s , Mixed open, a 1 and 2 in the Mixed Over 45s and end epic battle in the Mens Open coming from behind to take a last gasp win beating Coigach by a second.
Thanks to all the clubs for making a fantastic day and and to everyone here who put massive time and effort making it a success.
Largs Regatta August 2015
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Another trip to the West Coast for NBRC took us to Largs, home of the famous Nardini Ice Cream parlour and a very fine spot for rowing indeed.
No wind was bad news for the many sailors that were on the water, but great news for us rowers to enjoy fast rowing in flat conditions.
Our hosts, Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing club were having their second regatta, which was well attended by local clubs from the West Coast, and a couple of interlopers (ourselves and Anstruther) making the day trip over from the East Coast.
The racing was a mixture of 2k races around a single buoy turn and 500m straight line sprints. The 2K races take about 12 minutes, our mixed open crew held off Anstruther and the local boats to get our first win under the belt. Next up was our men’s crew, who won their heat, but that wasn’t enough to get a medal as the next heat went faster and first prize went to Royal West. Our ladies knew they’d have to row well to get ahead of Anstruther but it wasn’t to be and we were pushed into second place by the Queens of Fife.
After lunch was a series of 500m sprints and NBRC came into its own, to be fair we’ve been doing this for 5 or 6 years now and most of the clubs were in their first year of racing, but it’s a race so we went our hardest! We took all but one of the sprints, which was great for us, but the races were all hard fought and we were blowing hard at the finish. The one sprint that eluded us was the juniors, but we put in a mixed crew including a couple of 13 year olds (Gregor and Kirsty) along with Heather (aged 15) and the experienced old head of Cameron (aged 18) and they made us all proud with their neat rowing style and they pushed the local crew all the way.
After all that we felt fish and chips at the famous Nardinis was well deserved.
Many thanks to Firth of Clyde Coastal Rowing Club for a great regatta.
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