Boats away

Last Sunday we took ours and members’ boat away into the shed for winter. The day before we did a bit of rescuing as the water level on the Loch had risen by about 6 Feet. Here are some photos from before and on the day

And the next day there was even more…

Skiff launch

Skiff on foreground with female holding Quach, behind the boat you can see rows of spectators and the roof of the clubhouse

Last Saturday, 5th November saw the cumulation of 12 months of work coordinated by Forfar Rotary of the building and launch of Forfar’s New community St Ayles Skiff.

 If you have been watching Facebook over the past year you will be aware of the progress of refitting the Strathmore cricket clubs storage shed with a vapour barrier, electrics and benches, the building of formwork moulds loaned by Royal Tay’s Broughty rowing section, massive fundraising by Rotary’s Gordon Peterkin, development of epoxy techniques in sub-zero temperatures (well it felt like that), the incredible commitment and enthusiasm for 3 half days a week for at least 10 months, of a small number of amateur boat builders and some very necessary participation and guidance from a couple of retired craftsmen, the final sanding, and 5 coat painting and varnishing by another select group of volunteers.. and an awful lot of other volunteer support.. (Including coffee makers).

And.. eventually, in almost record time an incredible crowd of more than 100.. some say 150 to welcome the launch of our new skiff… the Greg Luckhurst named after a local businessman/plumber who died recently in the prime of his life and whose family contributed the seed corn funding for the project.

This will be the first of two skiffs to be funded by a selection of sources, national and local funds, local businesses, and personal donations which will be owned by the Rotary charity fund but given to FSWC to use and manage as we see fit to grow skiff rowing for the healthy enjoyment of the community.

The build team are having a 3-month break to 1st March until it gets warm enough for the epoxy before we start on the second one.

There are still some teething issues to be sorted out, but we had a great day with Catterline and North Queensferry skiffs saluting us on the launch and Radio sailors boats in attendance.. and a lot of folks had a row!!   Not a row!

3 different skiffs on the water with the oars in vertical position.

Details of follow-up sessions will follow, but the first session is on Saturday 19th at 10 am when we will have our first row by ourselves, 20 max in the session.. and all the places may have gone by now!!

Watch this space.. The committee is discussing organisation on Monday and details will be on our Facebook site. I’m delighted that Sarah Ramage an enthusiastic Rotary member is coordinating it all and did a splendid STV interview earlier this week that’s the publicity we need!

Contact point:- skiff @forfarsailing.org.uk

 Look back at Forfar Community Skiff or Forfar Rotary Facebook pages for some of the historic photos

The new skiff with 5 people rowing in an angle away from the viewer.

 Tony

FORFAR COMMUNITY SKIFF LAUNCH

Members of the team with the new skiff

The Forfar Community Skiff which will be a much-needed addition to promote healthy outdoor pursuits are delighted to advise you all that the skiff will be launched on Saturday the 5th of November it will be preceded by a chance to view it as, by kind permission of Tesco, it will be on display in their car park from 9.30 am to11.00am.

Thereafter it will go around Forfar via

West High street – The Cross – East High St – North St – Market St – Brechin Rd – Queenswell Rd – On to the Forfar Sailing Club.

All going to plan it will arrive at approx 11.45 am at the Sailing Club for a 12 Noon start.

The Skiff is to be named “Greg Luckhurst” in memory of local businessman Greg Luckhurst who passed away in 2021. A generous donation from Greg’s family allowed the purchase of the kit and so the process started with the support of three organisations. Forfar Rotary Club, Forfar and District Mens Shed and Forfar Sailing Club providing the expertise and manpower with the Strathmore Cricket Club providing the premises. The work also had two retired joiners lending their skills to make this craft, two Forfar Academy Pupils, all in all, a credit to those who participated in its construction.

The naming of the skiff will be done by Greg’s sister Laura Thomson and the Blessing of the Skiff will be by Jim McCluskey.

This will be followed by a demonstration of Skiff Rowing by the Catterline Rowers and North Queensferry Club and possibly a Team in the Greg Luckhurst Skiff.

Built to provide healthy outdoor usage to promote fitness through rowing be it for pleasure or competitive sport this is a tremendous community asset worthy of the support and funding details of which will be issued at a later date.

Due to the restricted parking available at the Sailing Club, we request that members of the public, interested in the actual Launch are requested to park in the small Car Park and or the surrounding streets and walk to the Sailing Club.

Please make sure not to cause a traffic problem for the residents in the area should the small car park be full.

Yes, as the heading says Forfar now has a Community Asset that the town should be proud of so give it your support.

If you want to have a go email us at

skiff@forfarsailingclub.org.uk

An Invitation from the Commodore: –

After over a year of hard work, from a wide variety of individuals and community organisations, the Forfar Skiff will be transferred to Forfar Sailing and Water sports Club for ongoing management and coordination on the 5th of November.

This will involve ‘parading’ the beautiful, hand-built and finished, grey and red vessel through the streets of Forfar leaving the Cricket club build facility at 11 am on the 5th of November with the launch anticipated to be at midday on St Margaret’s Inch.

I would like to invite and encourage all sailing club members to this event where we are hoping to have visiting Skiffs and further opportunities to try a row which is a ‘dry’ water sport and all safety equipment will be provided.

Come along, support this fantastic community achievement and (hopeful) find another social, fun way to get a gentle or good workout depending on your preference.

Thank you in anticipation

Mark

FSWC Commodore.