By Lachlan Stuart
Avoch Rowing Club, “The Skiffties”/“Avoch Skiffties”, was formed in October 2013 and launched “ZULU”, their first skiff, in August 2014. Their first ever local event was the launch of “ZULU” which happened on 16th August 2014 from 3:00pm – 11:30pm, it was a Saturday. On Sunday, 28th February 2016, “Avoch Skiffties launched their second skiff “ZEPHYR” from Avoch Harbour.
A skiff is a rowing boat and a skiffty is the rower. We meet in the shed on the industrial estate in Avoch (where the boats were built). We have a calendar on our website where members can book the boats out. Official “Avoch Skiffties” website: www.theskiffties.com
Cathy, an integral member of the “Avoch Skiffties”, explained, “We meet to row as often as we can but it is weather and tide dependent. Usually most weekends but quite often 2-3 times during the week too. We do a variety of race training, open rows [for anyone to have a go] and longer social rows.”
“We also use Facebook and messenger to communicate rowing times to members and the local community”. Cathy said, “We also have fitness training sessions on Sundays and Mondays (in the shed) for both club members and anyone from the community who wants to come along! If you want to join the skiffties, look on our calendar for an 'open row' session and come along! It's probably best to contact us first, just so we know to look out for you and to make sure we have enough rowers to fill a boat [5 people]. If you like it you can then join the club, membership is £40 per year for serious rowers, £20 for people who just pop along now and again and is free to under 16s”.
“It has brought the community together and we all enjoy the fun, friendships and fitness we get from it. We do lots of social and fundraising events to keep the club going. We have also lots of fun and friendships with other club members across Scotland and the rest of the world!” Cathy explained.
Cathy told us “The Skiffties” include all age groups from teenagers to over 70s [youngest rower is 8]. They row all year round… weather permitting, including Christmas and New Year's day. There are also “Skiffties” clubs in Fortrose and Cromarty, but there are numerous more around the Moray Firth and Scotland. The only real tradition for all the clubs is that it should include the whole community. “Avoch Skiffties” rowing club now has a “Angus Mcwilliam Memorial Trophy” which is presented to the winner of the regatta each year. Cathy explained that “Angus was one of the boat builders and a much loved member of the club who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. Every Monday [except 26th December] for the rest of the year there is an open event which non-members are welcome to join.
Cathy, an integral member of the “Avoch Skiffties”, explained, “We meet to row as often as we can but it is weather and tide dependent. Usually most weekends but quite often 2-3 times during the week too. We do a variety of race training, open rows [for anyone to have a go] and longer social rows.”
“We also use Facebook and messenger to communicate rowing times to members and the local community”. Cathy said, “We also have fitness training sessions on Sundays and Mondays (in the shed) for both club members and anyone from the community who wants to come along! If you want to join the skiffties, look on our calendar for an 'open row' session and come along! It's probably best to contact us first, just so we know to look out for you and to make sure we have enough rowers to fill a boat [5 people]. If you like it you can then join the club, membership is £40 per year for serious rowers, £20 for people who just pop along now and again and is free to under 16s”.
“It has brought the community together and we all enjoy the fun, friendships and fitness we get from it. We do lots of social and fundraising events to keep the club going. We have also lots of fun and friendships with other club members across Scotland and the rest of the world!” Cathy explained.
Cathy told us “The Skiffties” include all age groups from teenagers to over 70s [youngest rower is 8]. They row all year round… weather permitting, including Christmas and New Year's day. There are also “Skiffties” clubs in Fortrose and Cromarty, but there are numerous more around the Moray Firth and Scotland. The only real tradition for all the clubs is that it should include the whole community. “Avoch Skiffties” rowing club now has a “Angus Mcwilliam Memorial Trophy” which is presented to the winner of the regatta each year. Cathy explained that “Angus was one of the boat builders and a much loved member of the club who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. Every Monday [except 26th December] for the rest of the year there is an open event which non-members are welcome to join.