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
