Club record for Nairn Coastal Rowing Club members during Loch Ness 'Monster The Loch Challenge'
A CREW from the Nairn Coastal Rowing Club joined an armada of other vessels when they completed the Loch Ness, ‘Monster The Loch Challenge’.
The club took part in the challenge on September 17, covering the 21 miles from Fort Augustus to Dores.
Club member Andy Walker said: “We were rowing the club skiff, ‘Dulsie’, sailing under the name ‘Dul-see you on the other side’, for this event!
“The race comprised a total of 111 vessels of varying makes and models, crewed by a total of 350 participants, the only criteria being that the vessels must be purely ‘human powered’ boats.”
There were vessels from all over the UK, as well as some from further afield across Europe. The weather was favourable and the race began after a minute’s silence in respect to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, followed by a 2-minute lament from a piper playing from the deck of a safety boat.
“We managed to get off to a good start and settled into a strong stroke, whilst still managing to find some extra energy, when required, to pass other vessels, having several ‘tussles’ throughout the distance with some of the opposition,” said Andy. The crew maintained a strong standard of rowing and finished by setting a new club record for the event. The following day, crew members who competed in the Challenge joined colleagues to compete in the Cromarty Regatta., which was being run over the weekend. There were 15 clubs represented from across Scotland.
“Although it was a slightly depleted squad, due to prior commitments of members, the club took part in five races. They gave a good account of themselves managing to secure a silver medal, and it could have been more had it not been for a thole pin snapping at a crucial moment, meaning precious time was lost.
“ It was a terrific, and successful, weekend, with club members competing in both speed and endurance events and achieving success in both,” Mr Walker added.