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Read more about the article Kinghorn Frostbite Regatta

Kinghorn Frostbite Regatta

The aptly-named ‘Frostbite’ regatta at Kinghorn Loch traditionally marks the start of the annual regatta calendar. As it happens, it’s also the first regatta in which Black Rocks has competed! Participating members included a veritable mix of experienced rowers and first-timers, and none of our crews had actually practiced together before – this was going to be a fun-filled test of some scratch crews. Brian in particular was really thrown in at the deep end, as this was actually his very first time in a skiff! But as a fun, friendly and (mostly) relaxed event, hosted and splendidly catered by our friends in Kinghorn Rowing Club, this marked a great way to start out our regatta season.

The races mostly followed a 1km course around Kinghorn Loch, with each boat being sent off around a minute apart and racing against the clock. Black Rocks started the day respectfully with two 4th places, two 3rds, and a 5th. Wormit Boating Club was clearly going to steal the day, winning almost every event. But Black Rocks saved its best until last, beating Wormit into 1st place in the 250 metre sprints by a mere 2 seconds.

You can read more about the event in the event report on Kingorn Rowing Club’s website  by clicking here.

BRRC’s First Winning Crew!

Report by Finlay Robertson

Read more about the article Winter Row to Silversands

Winter Row to Silversands

As 2024 draws to a close, we’ve been making the most of some crisp, clear days to get out on the water. The first day of December proved unseasonably warm, so our Sunday crew took the opportunity to land at Silversands beach. Some of our club’s younger supporters met us there, and were all too happy to lend a hand hauling Irene up the beach!

We drew a fair bit of interest from other visitors to Silversands, which included some sea swimmers who were making the most of the good weather. It occurs to us that this might be an excellent place to recruit new members, so perhaps another winter row to Silversands will be on the cards for the near future. If nothing else, it’s an excellent spot for a warming cup of coffee at the Sands cafe!

Coastal rowing is not a seasonal activity – we’ll make the most of good weather all through the year to get out on the water. The Committee is working on an exciting events calendar for 2025, which will include a mixture of rowing and social events both on and off the water. We’re always on the lookout for new members – so please get in touch if you’d like to find out more! 

Report by Finlay Robertson

Read more about the article Race Report: Castle to Crane

Race Report: Castle to Crane

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 and a gentle warm up undertaken as we headed towards the start line, between the promontory at the Marina and the castle battlements.  We picked up the pace, crossed the line and we were off! 

We headed off down the river Leven and soon all settled into a good rhythm. Chris coxed us expertly, to tightly round the buoy at the Leven Perch, allowing us to gain some ground (water?) on the two boats ahead of us.  The atmosphere was quite intense initially, everyone fully focussed, determined to keep time with stroke and gain maximum output for our effort.  We felt strong and determined.  Chris kept us informed of the landmarks we passed and how we were faring against others.  He spotted when we were tiring and reminded us of posture and technique.  With humour, he worked brilliantly with Elisa to get us to alter our stroke between 75% and 100%, to get the best out of us – after all, a change is as good as a rest! Before we knew it we had passed Dunglass castle at 6km and then passed under the Erskine bridge at 9km. 

 

We then made our way towards the city, passing all the places which used to home the shipyards of the Clyde.  Here, Elisa and Chris did a very slick manoeuvre to swap seats and we continued on our way, with a new cox and stroke.  Elisa masterminded a quick and very welcome ‘snack and drink break’ for each of us, without a break to the rowing.  We survived the wake of a very large boat heading down river before passing the dock where two naval ships were being built.  We were inching closer to the two boats in front she informed us, and we could all see that we had plenty clear water between us and the boats behind us.  We were tiring now, but knew the end was approaching and we would make it!

Another quick cox change and Chris led us into the final section of the race.  We had passed one boat and were gaining on another.  We pressed on, knowing the finishing line was now in our cox’s sight.  We passed the Tall Ship, putting on our very best 100% charge as we knew Elisa’s in-laws and Erika’s partner were on the new bridge cheering us on, we wanted them to see how hard we had worked! Then suddenly we could hear the cox of the boat in front of us, we had finally caught them, with our final push we managed to pass them and cross the finishing line at the majestic Finneston crane!  A proud moment for us all.

What a very special moment that was for BRRC, completion of our very first race after very limited training.  A time of 2 hours 43 minutes was most respectable and we finished in 9th place in the open St Ayles skiff category, out of a total of 21 teams.

It was tough, it was exhausting.  Would I do it again?  Without a shadow of a doubt!

Report by Karen Young

All photos by Daren Borzynski Photography

More Event Pictures Here
Read more about the article Launch!
Black Rocks Rowing Club Boat Launch at Burntisland Beach, Burntisland, United Kingdom on 26 May 2024. Photo by Cat Morley / Sidetrack

Launch!

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!)

Also 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