Author Archives: Erwin Oosterhoorn

Safety on water

Exercise caution near areas of water

As we spend more time outdoors, we must consider risks to safety so here are a few tips to help have a safe and enjoyable summer. 

Everyone wants to see our countryside and enjoy our waterways and coastline, but please remember, any area of water, including reservoirs, canals and rivers can hold hidden dangers and this is particularly pertinent for those who might wish to swim to the islands found on the Tay as it passes through Perth. 

With many stretches of water in the county being located in remote areas, help will often be some considerable time away, so take responsibility for your own actions and make sensible decisions to stay safe around waterways. 

Be responsible and enjoy a safe summer by: Being aware of the dangers when out hillwalking, cycling or near areas of water. Think about the risks and plan to minimise them.Never underestimating the current, temperature or depth when in water.Never get into the water alone and don’t go swimming after drinking alcohol.If you get in trouble in water, float to live.

You can find out more about inland water safety from our partners Scottish Water. 

To get more information about how to enjoy sea sports and Scotland’s coastline safely, get advice from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and HM Coastguard, and general advice about water safety is also available from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

If you see someone in difficulty or at risk at sea or along the coast always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

“Sticks ?‍♀️ and Rags ⛵️ on Forfar Loch”

The FSC Midsummer Madness – a day of fun in the sun on Forfar Loch dawned cloudy and blustery with the threat of a shower or two. The North Queens Ferry visitors arrived first with the St Andrews visitors not long behind and the weather was soon forgotten as the skiffs were prepped and launched and after a coffee and cake the first crews took to the water.

As the day progressed the visitors utilised the hosts and other Forfonians on the oars who where all willing crews and very little pressing was needed. Once the skiffs had been tried some of the sailors took to the water for a blast in the blustery north eastish-north westish breeze with some exciting reaching getting the sail dinghies planning nicely, with only yours truly wetting his sail.

A rowing skiff seen through some grass on the shore, the name 'Blue Bay' and number 122 at the bow. 4 rowers and a cox

As the afternoon drew on the gauntlet was thrown and what can be thought of as the Inaugural Forfar Skiff race (now there’s an honour) saw a St Andrews vs North Queens Ferry race start with St Andrews making a powerful start and leading to the turning buoy, an admirable effort from the N Queens crew saw them close the gap on the turn but not quite able to drive the power through on the second half to over take the St Andrews team who finished first – well done. No prizes (this time) but bragging rights for the First Skiff to win a race on Forfar Loch go to St Andrews. ?

This was a great day with lots of people on the water and at the club, huge thanks to the visiting clubs we are very grateful and with the opportunity to chat to other local skiff clubs the beginnings of new club relationships and friendships have been commenced. As always thanks to FSC members for the great showing on the cake front and come down to try ‘pulling the sticks’.

rowing a skiff

Here is a video of some of us rowing a visiting skiff, want to find out more? Come and see us this Sunday (19-06) when there are more skiffs to see. Coffee and tea will be available, with a piece of cake or a biscuit.

A visiting skiff with members of the sailing and water sports club having a go.

Take a Skiffy at a Skiff

Caterline Skiffies are training with their Skiff on Forfar loch this Sunday 12th June. They have offered to take a limited number for a trial row in the Skiff from 1 o’clock. If anyone would like to come down and see the Skiff. You may be lucky enough to have a trial row .

Caterline expect to be training on the loch all afternoon.

We expect to have two Skiffs on the loch one from Queensferry and one from St Andrews the following Sunday for wider public use.