A Successful 3-Race Regatta!
Eskmuthe Rowing Club enjoyed a highly successful regatta - despite the weather gods cutting the racing short.
The club raised more than £2000 from the event, which saw eight clubs racing their St Ayles’ Skiffs off the Back Sands, to the west of Fisherrow Harbour.
Only three of the 11 races went ahead before strong northeasterly winds blew in and made it unsafe to continue.
However, club members continued to sell soup and bread, savoury snacks, cakes and drinks, while a lucky number draw and tombola also helped swell the coffers. A social event in the club’s boatshed in the evening helped push the day’s total above £2000.
Eskmuthe’s Regatta Officer David Lee said: “We had to cancel all racing on our original regatta date in March due to high winds, and rescheduled the event for September. We were watching the weather very anxiously all week, as strong winds were forecast again. We'd hoped we might get a few more races in, but northeasterly winds churn the sea up very quickly.
“Despite having to call the racing off early, there was still a great atmosphere on the beach and in the boatshed, and the club would like to thank everyone who helped in any way - there is so much work that goes into planning an event like this.”
The medals for the races were presented by local community stalwart Alister Hadden, who has helped Eskmuthe with joinery work on its boats, including new footrests made earlier this year. Club Captain Gaynor Allen said: “Alister has been a great support to the club behind the scenes, sharing his joinery expertise to help us improve the boats. We were delighted he was able to present the medals for us.”
The first race, for novices (rowers who haven’t won a competitive race), saw Portobello take gold, with the hosts Eskmuthe in second place, and Queensferry third.
Alnmouth, who travelled from Northumberland for the competition, won the 240-mix race (2 men and 2 women with a combined age of at least 240), with Eastern second and Eskmuthe third.
Boatie Blest from Port Seton won the Men’s Open race with North Berwick and Eskmuthe tied for second, but crews for the next race - the women’s open - were called back from the start line as the winds got up.
Club Chair Simon Francis said: “It’s always disappointing when races are cancelled, but it was still a brilliant day. We’d like to thank all the clubs who came to the event, Eskmuthe club members - and all of our sponsors."
The main event sponsor was Knight Chiropractic, the programme sponsor Red McGregor, and the PA sponsor Red Wolf Electrical. Race sponsors were Almond Park Nursery, Blossoming Gardens, Fairnies Fresh Prawns, Fluid Environmental, Fusion Massage Therapy, Homeland Security UK Ltd, Oils in Bloom, Selling with Sylvia, RF Slight and StaysIn.
