NBRC Juniors at the Worlds
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What an incredible week for the North Berwick Junior crews at the Skiff World Championships last week on Strangford Lough. Many of our youngsters had only taken up rowing this year, we started teaching them to row back in March, but they had never raced so we had no idea what to expect at the Worlds. Not in our wildest optimism could we have foreseen the results that were achieved.
The first race was the U19 mixed, our rowers had all been training, but never as a crew, we had to qualify for the final by getting into the first 5 in our heat, we were happy to get through to the final by getting 4th in our heat.
Next up was the U17 boys, we only had three boys so borrowed Frank from Crail to make up a crew. It was a straight final with 8 boats racing over 1K - we were delighted to get a bronze medal.
Boys U17 Bronze (Frank from Crail, Cameron Miles, David Davidson(Cox), Gregor Davidson. Connor Porteous
Then it was the mixed U19 final with 10 boats in the final, Gregor’s third race of the day.Having qualified 4th in our final we were just happy to be in the race, but once it started no other crew was pulling away from us. With Heather setting the stroke she kept a long stroke and from the coxes seat I could see that other crews were losing their form, and there could be a medal for us. With Isla and Cameron behind Heather providing the power and Gregor keeping the boat balanced from the bow, we started to pull into the lead, and crossed the line 6 secs ahead of second place, unbelievable and first gold for North Berwick.
Mixed U19 Gold (Heather Wightman, Isla Wightman, David Davidson (cox), Cameron Miles, Gregor Davidson
Thursday brought another untested combination with Heather, Connor, Saskia Drijver-Headley-and Gregor going into a straight final of 9 boats for the U17 mixed. This time we knew we were in a dogfight (with Dundrum, a local club who went on to be overall winners) and pushed desperately for a second win only to be pipped by one second, so now we had 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze, and the squad was buoyant.
Mixed U17 Silver (Saskia Drijver Headley, Heather Wightman, David Davidson (cox) Connor Porteous, Gregor Davidson)
On Friday the woman’s U17 was a straight final, with Heather going for her third medal, on paper this was our strongest crew with two 16 year olds, a 13 and a 14 year old we were closer to the age limit than any other crew we entered. We set off well and dropped a number of the other boats, but from the coxes seat I knew we were in a battle with Portsoy on our port side, with only 250m to go we were down, in second place behind Portsoy, but we’d just had a silver and wanted more gold. Heather increased the stroke rate for the last 250m, Saskia L in three, Saskia D-H in two and Kirsty in the bow went with her, everybody maintaining the long stroke that can so easily shorten when the rate increases. We crept up alongside Portsoy and with 15 strokes left we nudged ahead to finish 1 second ahead of Portsoy and get our second gold, brilliant!
Girl's U17 Gold (Saskia Loudon, Kirsty Cram Mitchell, Heather Wightman, Saskia Drijver Headley)
The last junior race that NBRC entered was the U19 girls on Saturday, Saskia D-H had headed home with her two medals, and Isla Wightman stepped in to row with her sister, Heather (going for her 4th medal), and with Saskia L and Kirsty. Now, expectations had been reset - the girls liked medals and confidently chased after another one. It was a straight final between 7 clubs. North Berwick were strong, and never let go an early lead finishing 30s clear of second place, a third gold for the NBRC juniors.
Girl's U19 Gold (Heather Wightman, Isla Wightman, Claire Wallace (cox), Saskia Loudon, Kirsty Cram Mitchell)
Apart from the races that we entered, a number of our juniors were invited into other crews who were short handed. Part of the experience of an event like this is to make friends in other clubs, and find out what it’s like to row in a different boat.
If we hadn’t won any medals, we’d still have enjoyed it, as most of the juniors had never raced before, the camaraderie, competition and atmosphere alone would have made it a memorable experience. But it doesn’t half feel better to go home with a clutch of medals.
Captain Jacque turns 50 (on Wed)
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When it comes to turning 50, our very own captain Jac is like the queen with 2 birthdays. The celebrations kicked off with an NBRC first, the five island tour (FIT). The overcoming of Jacque’s fear of everything that lurks beneath the sea was marked by the inflation of a marine creature and a photo shoot at each island. 4 seasons in one afternoon, the weather threw a bit of everything at us but the 2 birthday boats successfully rowed round the Bass Rock, Craigleith, the Lamb, Fidra and finally to Eyebroughy (or Ibris). 4 hours later we landed back in North Berwick, the sun came out and the barbeque was lit. A fantastic day with a great bunch of friends. Happy 50th birthday Jacque!
By the banks of the silvery Tay
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William Topaz McGonagall, of Dundee has been widely hailed as the writer of the worst poetry in the English language. This sonnet may challenge this claim!
| By the banks of the Silvery Tay We had such a wonderful day For North Berwick a first trip to Dundee Made welcome with coffee and tea Bacon rolls to sustain through the day By the banks of the silvery Tay The wind from the west Was not for the best But didn’t spoil the day As guests of our friends in Broughty By the banks of the silvery Tay The open men were first to row They struck the very first blow A narrow win over hosts Broughty Got North Berwick on our way By the banks of the silvery Tay Ladies were next in the boat Over 60s I heard someone quote Another good win for the NB As the wind blew out to the see By the banks of the silvery Tay The 45 plus men followed on Fuelled with rolls filled with Dundee bacon Rowed the fastest time of the day Was North Berwick running away? By the banks of the slivery Tay |
The mixed crew look a little pale As they finished second to a good crew from Crail The crafty coxing brought joy As they squeezed around the buoy By the banks of the silvery Tay Crail continued their winning form Pushing hard in the heart of the storm Another win from the Fifers In the class of 45 wifers By the banks of the silvery Tay Wormit were the next to have cheer And likely celebrated with beer A first win for the neighbouring crew And a second for Newburgh too By the banks of the silvery Tay The final race of the day A win for our hosts from Broughty NB ran them close around the bend Broughty finished strong in the end By the banks of the silvery Tay With many thanks to our hosts Broughty Ferry We returned home all feeling merry The weather could not thwart A great day of sport By the banks of the silvery Tay |
With apologies to W.T. McGonagall (Ed: But thanks to Steve Thomson)
Portsoy June 2016
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NBRC headed to the North East, to Portsoy, on the Moray Coast. Skiff racing there is only a small part of a traditional boat festival (fewer beards and brown sails than you might imagine, but lots of music, food, and busy crowds of happy people). I never got to meet the person on the PA, but he sounded very posh, and that lent a veneer of respectability, bordering on aristocracy to the event. What I do remember is that this was the 23rd year (or maybe 25th, anyway more than 20) that the festival has run in succession - and we were suitably impressed.
NBRC brought a small crew of 10 people and we struck lucky this year, the weather was never worse than a little bit overcast but for the most part was sunshine and calm(ish) seas - perfect for coastal rowing.
There was a busy days racing on Saturday, starting with 2K races, before shifting to 750m sprints which were held in heats culminating in a final between the 3 fastest boats. So it was against the clock, NBRC won a few, came second in some, and were pipped in others by the smallest of margins (our ladies came second in a 2K race by 1 second!)
Saturday night was spent camping and discussing the Euro referendum and despairing at the prospects for Mister Cheasie Peasie and his travelling selection of delicious and very expensive French Cheeses (we will miss Cedric from NB - bon courage mon brave). Medium John held court, as he offered us solace with his vision of a new future whilst simultaneously propping up the local economy by buying all their fish and chips.
Sunday was aptly named, as the local boys called taps aff to show their skin and ink, and the skiffs enjoyed racing in the sunshine. We sent out our second string mixed open crew, but they did well in the opening 2K race and secured a strong win, we followed that up with a dead heat in the Men's 40+ and various other medals that I can't recall.
You may have seen the recent sad news that one of the great characters of Scottish Coastal Rowing, Andy Jarvis, recently passed away. In memory of him, the last race of the day was a 2K mixed race with scratch crews in every boat mixing rowers from all clubs in unfamiliar boats. Which was a lovely end to the racing.
What a great weekend, thanks to our hosts - Portsoy, and from our own club, special thanks to Claire Simpson for towing our boat.
Newhaven June 2016
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Just like last year, hardy souls from 9 Rowing clubs made the pilgrimage to Newhaven for the annual row/run/sail in the name of racing, powered by legs/wind/arms, and any other motive forces you may care to mention.
Newhaven were fantastic in their organisation of the event. All participants were made to feel very welcome; drinks and other refreshments (real ale) were available all day, and were greatly appreciated by all.
Although the day started off fairly cloudy, the yellow star did break through, and we ended up slapping on the factor 30 to keep the sun at bay!
However, this was no 'picnic row', but was as competitive a race as you can get (white knuckles and red mist were in plentiful supply). Claire Bear did us proud with her run x 2, and also did her best to keep her sailing skipper on track.
After Claire's first run, NB (Phil, Finlay, Elisa, Sheena; cox Jeannie) gained one place with the first 2km row.
Claire held her position for the second run, and NB were looking good. There was a wee glitch with the second sailing race, when we slipped down the field.
Quite a bit. Actually, the sailing dropped us down to 8th. Never mind; this was a challenge that out rowers could relish.
A sterling effort for the second 2km row (Jeannie, Sandy, Finlay, Elisa; cox Phil) took us from 8th to 4th place. It was gratifying to pass 4 other skiffs, but we just did not have enough time to make much on Port Seton who started well ahead of us along with Anstruther, the eventual winners. (Starting order for the second row was dictated by the finishing order of the preceding sailing race-out of our hands)
Mention must be made of Sandy who flew the NBRC flag proudly by selling at least 12 books of raffle tickets for the Skiffie Worlds.
A great way to spend a day in fine company; oh, and there were small waves, no haar, and little wind!
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