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Back when Irene was launched in May, Chris told us about Castle to Crane, a 22km race from Dumbarton Castle up the Clyde to the Finneston Crane.  As a novice rower, I immediately replied ‘I’m up for it, that sounds fun!’  But what had we let ourselves in for? Only Scotland’s biggest open water rowing race it would seem! Of course, the plan was to have plenty of training sessions between then and September 7th, so that the team of Chris, Elisa, Erika, Douglas and Karen could build up endurance, consistency and improve technique.  However, these sessions were arranged, rearranged, re-rearranged and cancelled routinely as the unforgiving westerly wind of summer barely let up to allow us out of the harbour entrance, never mind row for a few hours.  So suddenly the weekend was upon us! On the Friday afternoon, Chris, Douglas and Karen delivered Irene to the race start at Sandpoint Marina, where we have to say, she was undoubtedly the prettiest, most pristine looking boat on the shore. (Yes, perhaps we were a little biased). The weather was glorious, and the pre-race atmosphere and bustle of organisation generated lots of excitement and anticipation amongst the teams.  Then we were off to Glasgow to join the rest of the crew, right beside the finishing line, for a hearty evening meal and serious team bonding!  The decision to meet up on the Friday night was undoubtedly the right one; as worries, nerves and panics were laid to rest, and replaced by strategies and plans to give us the best chance of success.  After all, planning how to access your jelly babies and flapjacks without interrupting the rowing rhythm is pretty crucial!   Saturday morning dawned and we gathered early, next to the Kinghorn team.  It was good to see so many familiar faces and to realise other people were also a little apprehensive about the morning ahead.  Then onto the buses waiting outside the Transport Museum, and we were off to the start at Sandpoint Marina. We were boat number 31, so we had plenty time to admire all the boats before we started, as the race is a time trial with boats crossing the start line approximately 30s apart.  There was a vast range to see, perhaps the most spectacular being the boat from the Basque region of Spain, crewed by 12 rowers all in matelot jerseys and a cox, who stood and sounded a magnificent bugle as they left for the start line.  Getting all these boats into the water was no simple task, but there was a great team of volunteers and the rowing community is a very helpful one with teams all working together to carry the boats to the slipway and into the water.  But then it was our turn! Irene gently entered the water and we climbed in – Chris at cox, Elisa at stroke, Erika 3, Douglas 2 and Karen in the bow.  Seat pads were adjusted, stretchers positioned, snacks and drinks opened…

It's official - we are afloat! The last weekend of May marked the culmination of a 6-year effort to get our skiff "Irene" onto the water. We spent Saturday on the high street and around town showing her off, adorned in flags. The boat attracted quite a lot of attention, and we managed to recruit a few new members! The official launch was on Sunday. "Irene" was formally christened by her namesake, to whom we are eternally grateful for providing us with our build space. (Not to mention keeping us well-supplied with scones throughout our enterprise!)https://youtu.be/CK9IYBsOx9UAlso in attendance was Jim (a local boatbuilder without whom the boat wouldn't have been finished), and contingents from a number of local rowing clubs. North Queensferry, South Queensferry, Anstruther and St Andrews all brought their own skiffs to escort us to our new berth.  After a parade around the bay... ...and a salute from Anstruther... ...we rowed in company from the slipway to Burntisland Sailing Club for some well-deserved refreshments! It's fair to say that this road has been much longer than any of us could have anticipated. The COVID pandemic very nearly derailed our project and it took us a long time to regain momentum. Now that we're actually 'afloat' (pun intended), we hope to attract new members - so if you're interested in joining our community, please get in touch!Report by Finlay Robertson All photos by Cat Morley / Sidetrack

Yes, that's our skiff ... and yes, it's in the water! In preparation for an official launch in Burntisland on Sunday 26th May, we undertook a set of 'sea trials' at Kinghorn Loch. On the 5th May, four years after COVID forced us to postpone our build, we were able to enjoy the sight of our boat in her element. The day started off with a gathering of members and helpers at the workshop. Have you ever tried to get a 22-foot boat through a door before? Us neither.  But after a bit of jostling we managed to get her manoeuvred out and sat upon her road trailer.  Our departure from the workshop highlights the great debt of thanks we owe to Irene, a Burntisland resident who gracefully offered us a rent-free boatbuilding space when we began our enterprise four years ago. Somehow she never tired of our presence as we navigated our way through lockdowns, delays and setbacks. The privilege of imparting the traditional sprinkling of whisky went to one of the younger associates of the club! The skiff's first crew - comprising Chris, Finlay, Lily, both Martins, Joel, Aidan and Elisa - proceeded to take her for a test drive. She's proven an absolute delight to row, and a handful of minor teething issues will be rectified in the coming days. With the successful completion of trials, our skiff is ready to be moved to her permanent berth at Burntisland Sailing Club. We'll launch on 26th May at 2pm from the slipway by the Beacons Leisure Centre. Feel free to come by for a look and a chat if you think rowing might be for you!Report by Finlay Robertson

With our St Ayles Skiff build rapidly nearing its conclusion, now is a good time to begin sharing details of the work we've been doing to develop the infrastructure that will actually allow us to get onto the water. We do have access to a public slipway in Burntisland. Unfortunately, it's only of practical use for launch and recovery of boats when the tide is in. This introduces a limitation that we're keen to overcome. Through BRRC's association with Burntisland Sailing Club, we've secured the use of one of their pontoons in the East Dock. This will allow us access at all states of tide. Have you been following the progress of our St Ayles Skiff build? If so, you'll know the boat is constructed largely from marine-grade plywood. Although this is a resilient material, it does have a habit of soaking up water over time in boats kept permanently afloat. It doesn't necessarily cause any physical harm, but it does make the boat heavier. This is not something that's desirable in a vessel we may wish to race!  The compromise is a floating dock, seen here under construction and in its final position on the sailing club pontoons. It's been designed to our own specifications and will allow us to keep the boat on a pontoon finger but elevated out of the water. Rollers along the centre will allow us to slide the boat in and out of the water with ease ... at least in theory! Be sure to keep an eye out for club news, either here or on our Facebook page. With our St Ayles Skiff build almost complete, we're beginning to make preparations for the formal boat launch. We'll publicise this far and wide as soon as we confirm a date! Report by Finlay Robertson