Port Seton
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Well done to all of those who rowed at Port Seton on Saturday. Once again our fabulous ladies crew showed the rest of us how it should be done. However no one was left behind by too much, and we are all learning fast.
St Baldred Launched at Anstruther
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St Baldred has now been in the water, and what a magnificent sight she was, especially when powered over the line by the NB Women's Open Crew (in the semi final) to win the first ever race. A slight lack of practice time may have affected our results at Anstruther, but we were never far off the pace, and once we get out a few times....who knows. Congratulations to all involved, in building as well as racing this fine boat.
Build Progress Wk18
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NB001 has now had it's hull faired and sanded. The outside hull will start to be painted this week. The manufacture of seats and beams has now been completed which will allow sanding and varnishing to commence.
NB002 has had it's keel fitted and is currently lying in Bay B. The clean-up of the inside of hull has now commenced.
Build Progress Wk17
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NB001 inside hull now painted. Ready for turnover for painting of outside of hull. The hull is now ready to placed back on the building frame to have it's outside faired, sealed and painted. The manufacture of seats and beams are progressing well and should be ready for varnishing next week..
The keel for NB02 has now been shaped and fitted.
One oar has now been completed. The other oars are progressing, but as ever we would welcome fresh blood to have a go at oar building.
Boat Name
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After looking through hundreds of suggestions from the pupils of Law Primary and whittling them down to a shortlist of six, North Berwick's community boat builders and future representatives of the town in rowing races against their neighbours have chosen the name "St Baldred" to be given to their first "St Ayles skiff", a four oared coastal racing rowing boat which is nearing completion.
Baldred was the first inhabitant of the Bass Rock. He came to East Lothian from Lindisfarne in the 8th century to convert its heathen inhabitants to Christianity. He used the island as a retreat for prayer and meditation.
By reputation Baldred is North Berwick's strongest oarsman. Legend has it that there used to be a rock midway between the Bass and the shore, which caused many vessels to be wrecked. Baldred got a buddy to drop him off on the rock (might have been Chris Marr), and he then proceeded to row the rock in towards the shore, and left it safely out the way, just to the East of the South Carr rocks.
The rock, now known as "St Baldreds Boat", can still be seen today but is no longer a hazzard.
For many years a passenger launch called "St Baldred" took tourists on trips from North Berwick, in the way that we are all used to Sula doing nowadays.
Thank you to the pupils of Law Primary who came up with many and varied names, all of which made an impression on the members of the community involved in the build. In particular thank you to several pupils who suggested St Baldred, and to the pupil who suggested "Fidra Flyer", which came a very close second.
Now we need to take inspiration from Baldred, and show his determination and strength, when we meet crews from Dunbar, Port Seton and futher afield this summer, in the first ever St Ayles skiff Coastal Rowing races.
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