ISSUE #11 | SPRING 2022
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By Coastal Rowers, For Coastal Rowers
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WELCOME
© The WAVE Rowing
Welcome to Issue #11 of The WAVE – the Coastal and Offshore Magazine. The rowing season is now in full swing with regattas, competitions and training for goals whether it be beach sprints, coastal events or an ocean row. There’s always something going on around the coast.
In this issue, we bring you sliding seat, fixed seat; we feature Great British Rowing; from Rowing across the English Channel, Rowing the Caledonian Canal as well as rowing all the way around Great Britain with GB Row Challenge. Thank you to all those who have contributed to this issue, and to the advertisers who help keep this running.
There are many events that do take place, if you’re wondering why your event hasn’t been featured, feel free to send us the press release or a write up of your event including pictures and we’ll happily include this for you.
If there’s anything you would like The Wave Rowing to feature or to provide feedback, suggestions, please email rowing@thewaverowing.com I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to share The WAVE Rowing to help raise awareness and promote your sport.
Since the last issue, I’ve been helping with a couple of ocean rowing teams as they prepare for TWAC2022, attended the Rannoch Adventure open day, attended the start of the Jurassic Gig Rowing league season with the regatta at Weymouth.
I hope you enjoy this issue!
Craig Chaulk Founder & Editor The WAVE – The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine
Your free rowing e-magazine - run by coastal rowers, for coastal rowers.
Contents
All money raised goes towards the running cost of the website and e-magazine production including materials to help in the production of providing content and promotion of The WAVE – The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine (The Wave Rowing); money beyond the running cost will then go back to the sport through sponsorship and/or grants.
Jurassic Gig Rowing League
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GB Row Challenge
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Rowing the English Channel
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Equipment: Head Torch
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Rannoch Adventure Open Day
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Rowing the Caledonian Canal
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Send us your news & stories: rowing@thewaverowing.com
JURASSIC GIG ROWING LEAGUE
JURASSIC GIG LEAGUE ROARS BACK ONTO THE SCENE The Course ►Report by Craig Chaulk, The WAVE Rowing.
A short triangular buoyed course was laid for the 10 races of the day; the time to complete was ~15-minute race. This meant some fast, hard racing was required. This year saw the introduction of a new racing start; all clubs were given a position number on the starting line between the two start line buoys. Once Coxes are in a line you move forward together then GO! As with anything new, it becomes a learning curve and by the end of the day as long as you were in a line and went, the faster of the crews will have pulled away in their own groups no matter what. For most of the day on the first leg, the rowers fought a bow-on wind.
T
he Jurassic Gig Rowing League has returned and kicked-off on a sun-kissed beach in Weymouth, Dorset. The WAVE Rowing was there rowing and coxing for Exmouth Gig Club in their Cornish Pilot Gig ‘Shelly Maid’. Saturday 28th May 2022: The Jurassic Gig Rowing League kicked off its season from the sandy shores of Weymouth, Dorset. Set between the isle of Portland, and the chalky cliffs of the Severn sisters on the Jurassic Coast - a UNESCO World Heritage coastline, over 500 rowers from more than 12 clubs came together with one thing in common - a love for coastal rowing in the fixedseat Pilot Gig.
At the first buoy turn, the fight to turn began as the tactics kicked in and some contact had. The next leg saw the rowers tackling the wind on the starboard (stroke) beam.
On a suntan inducing day on a beach packed with holidaymakers, the regatta was fantastically hosted by Weymouth Rowing Club at the western end of the beach with a large catering selection that was consumed by the hungry rowers, a BBQ on the go, even a tombola for those feeling lucky! The clubs lined the beach with their gazebos - this was truly a sight you couldn't miss and certainly attracted a lot of attention from the inquisitive holidaymakers.
All pictures © The WAVE Rowing
Coming to the last buoy turn, you knew who your competition was by this point, as you fought for water towards this buoy, rounding it to then battle towards the finish line with the wind behind you. This made for some exciting fighting battles between crews. Before you knew it, the race was over - this was certainly fast and furious racing… once you caught your breath back, in true comradery spirit teams hip-hip hooray their fellow close competitor(s).
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JURASSIC GIG ROWING LEAGUE
© The WAVE Rowing
Juniors League introduction It was fantastic to see the introduction of a Juniors Under 16’s league which attracted a lot of enthusiastic competitors. Juniors wear a lifejacket as standard and complete a shorter course by rounding one buoy in an out and back fashion.
The winners After 10 races, Langstone Gig Club rounded the day off as overall winners within the Jurassic Gig Rowing League, with Swanage in Second, and Bridport in Third. In addition to the Jurassic Gig Rowing League clubs, it was great to see other clubs including Appledore, Bristol, Brixham, Ilfracombe, Portishead, Dartmouth in attendance. The next Jurassic Gig Rowing League will be hosted by Swanage Rowing Club, in Swanage, Dorset on June 18th, 2022.
JURASSIC GIG ROWING LEAGUE REGATTA DATES 2022 The five clubs who will hold the Point Scoring Jurassic Regattas for 2022 are:
28th May 2022 = Weymouth 18th June 2022 = Swanage 2nd July 2022 = Bridport 30th July 2022 = Langstone 13th August 2022 = Lyme Regis
Sidmouth, Exmouth, and Poole may hold Regattas that will be well attended and supported, but these will not be Point Scoring towards the Jurassic League. Combwich and Portland are unable to hold Regattas due to restrictions with their locations. Moving forward clubs will ensure that the Point Scoring Regatta allocation is fairly shared amongst Jurassic clubs at the start of each year. All clubs are members of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association. For more information, please contact email Jackie at jackietutt@outlook.com © The WAVE Rowing
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Email us your news, stories, event, achievement; Or to advertise in The WAVE Rowing
rowing@thewaverowing.com The Wave Rowing is a not-for-profit magazine - run by coastal rowers for coastal rowers. All money goes towards the running cost of the website and e-magazine production including materials to help in the production of providing content and promotion of The Wave – The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine (The Wave Rowing); money beyond the running cost will then go back to the sport through sponsorship and/or grants.
Official Partners
RowingCentre UK
ROWING THE CHANNEL
Rowing The World’s Busiest Shipping Lane For Mental Health D uring Mental Health awareness week, an eclectic team D of six adventurers with a range of different ages, rowing experience and physical abilities embarked on an epic quest to row the world’s busiest shipping lane: the infamous English Channel. The six team members [pictured below] included Darren Edwards, Colin Hayton, Harry Thomas, Nick Beighton, Sally Orange and Louis Alexander, with a unique background between them of world first endurance challenges, hundreds of thousands of pounds raised for charity and a Paralympic medal from the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro. Setting off from Dover Marina on Monday 9th March in their Cornish gig, the team successfully completed the 23 mile row in 5 and a half hours. During their gruelling row, the team found themselves surrounded by 5 shipping vessels, with no choice but to row on and commit to their promise to raise vital funds and awareness for Mental Health charities.
The team was lead by adventurer Darren Edwards, who last year completed a record-breaking and world first expedition, Kayak 4 Heroes, which saw him lead a team of five injured/wounded veterans in kayaking 1,400 kilometres from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’ Groats in Scotland. Speaking about the reason for taking on this challenge, Darren explained: “the ‘Rowing for Mental Health Challenge’ came about following the passing of my father, Ray Edwards, who lost his battle with mental health in September 2021. My father and I had a connection through rowing, and it would be a time I’d see him once a week as I rowed along the River Severn through Shrewsbury. The concept of rowing the English Channel came about as a way of raising funds for mental health charities, in the hope that, whilst it was too late to save my Dad, we might be able to raise enough money to help others overcome their battle with mental health.’ The youngest member of the team was 22-year-old adventurer and endurance athlete, Louis Alexander, who earlier this year completed 17 marathons in 17 consecutive days. Speaking about their experience, Louis said: “we saw dolphins, seals and shipping containers during our journey; experiencing this from a tiny Cornish gig definitely offered an unconventional yet incredible experience!” The team have so far raised over £5,000 for two Mental Health charities: Ripple Suicide Prevention and Shropshire Mental Health Service. To donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rowingformentalhealth
►Content: Louis Alexander. © Pictures: Josh Raper Media
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CURRENTLY ROWING INDEPENDENTLY AROUND GREAT BRITAIN From A&E to the Sea, Both Doctors, Husband & Wife team of Adam Baker and Charlie Fleury. Having just completed TWAC2021, these two doctors have been diagnosed with a serious bug call ‘Rowing’ - they are now tackling an independent, unsupported circumnavigation of GB, starting and ending at Tower Bridge, London.
FOLLOW THEIR PROGRESS Where are they now? Click Here.
www.emergenseaduo.com
Only 2 pairs have successfully completed the route; there has never been a mixed pair. During the race we can’t accept any outside help, which means we have all our supplies on board including water & food and won’t step back onto dry land until the finish line. CLICK HERE TO DONATE Cazz Lander and Andre Van Der Walt departed on May 25th, 2022, from London and, using muscle power alone, will row over 2000 miles around the coast of Great Britain. We will be entirely self-supported and rowing non-stop - meaning we will accept no outside help and touch land only once we arrive back in London. Raising money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. CLICK HERE TO DONATE FOLLOW THEIR PROGRESS
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© Rannoch Adventure
RANNOCH ADVENTURE OPEN DAY
A DAY TOWARDS YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE E
ver wanted to or thinking about rowing an ocean? The Rannoch Adventure Open Day is the place to go - it's one of the only ocean rowing events/open days in the UK – if not the world for those interested in ocean rowing! Saturday 2nd April 2022, Burnham On Crouch: With teams and individuals from all backgrounds descending into one place with one thing in common... I want to row an ocean and would like to get more of an understanding in tasting that ocean rowing experience. It's also the opportunity to ask any questions. Not only were the experts and team at Rannoch on hand to answer any questions, the event was also attended by Mactra Marine, Aurora Sea School, Range Global, and Resilient Nutrition to name a few. The day featured numerous demonstrations including the workings of a watermaker, rowing technique, life raft/sea survival, electronics, communications, and a talk on nutritional information.
The Boats: Held at Rannoch Adventures headquarters in Burnham on Crouch, it is like a showroom for ocean rowing boats whether interested in a solo, pairs, or more... even ROXY the 12 person ocean rowing boat that enables those the opportunity to make their goals more achievable due to the experiences through ROXY Expeditions was on show; the Rannoch Explorer, there were even a few custom boats from past and future rows including a peddle boat!
© The WAVE Rowing
►Report by Craig Chaulk, The WAVE Rowing
Special Guest
Above: Mactra Marine demonstration of the watermaker. © The WAVE Rowing.
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© Rannoch Adventure
The event also included a talk from Jason Fox of SAS: Who Dare's Wins. Jason's enthusiastic and inspiring talk on his own struggles and experiences captivated those in attendance. Not only his military experiences but his experience in rowing the Atlantic and how it became possible thanks to the help of Rannoch Adventure.
TheWaveRowing.com
© Rannoch Adventure
© The WAVE Rowing
RANNOCH ADVENTURE OPEN DAY
The RX45 Charlie Pitcher, the Founder of Rannoch Adventure took to the stage to introduce us to some of the exciting new developments at Rannoch. The first RX45 is currently under construction (pictured above), Charlie helped to explain the differences between the R45 and this new version. Not only will it be made of carbon fibre using a vacuum infused method to create a strong but the lightweight boat, the boat itself will have a narrower waterline to help the boat cut through the water faster, with other features based on rowers' experiences and feedback including more room in the aft cabin. The Beast 2024 We also got introduced to The Beast. This is an exciting new race organised by Rannoch Adventure. If you like pushing yourself to your limits... then this event is for you! A UK multi-sport endurance race, requiring strategic planning as well as racing against the clock. If you could put the ingredients of Ocean Rowing, the Tour De France, and Trail/Mountain Running to the extreme - threw them in a pot, and let them stew over two weeks... you'd get a delicious serving of The Beast 2024. Watch this space as we'll be bringing you more details soon!
TheWaveRowing.com
Overall, the day was fantastic. If it could be summed up in a word, it would have to be Opportunity. The opportunity to meet other teams, the opportunity to get a better understanding of the more technical parts of the boat/row; the opportunity to explore, ask questions, and ease those doubts; the opportunity to network over a BBQ and beer in a relaxed atmosphere, learn from others, and the opportunity to be inspired. The opportunity to develop the confidence in taking the next step on your journey to rowing an ocean or expedition with ROXY; all this delivered with the lovely and helpful team at Rannoch Adventure, their partners and those companies, individuals and teams in attendance. It was a great day and a must for anyone wishing to take a dip into the world of ocean rowing. I would like to say a big thank you to the team at Rannoch Adventure for the invitation and hospitality. If you would like more information on Rannoch Adventure, please visit their website:
www.rannochadventure.com
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GB ROW CHALLENGE
GB ROW CHALLENGE THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROWING RACE
GB Row
is the ultimate rowing challenge. Complex tides and very changeable British weather mean good navigation skills are required, as well as the tactical ability to make the most of weather and sea conditions, which can be as important as a team’s strength, stamina and endurance. The race is organised by rowers who have been there themselves, meaning GB Row’s priority is to ensure teams have an enjoyable and safe race round the spectacular British coastline. GB Row founders Will de Laszlo and Jim Bastin’s vision for the race was to not only host the toughest rowing challenge in the world, that is open to private boats and entries, but to also add a powerful sustainable purpose to the event, to leave a legacy in the sport of ocean rowing for our environment and the next generation.
GB Row Challenge is entering its next exciting phase as the prestigious Annual Around Great Britain Rowing Race, with nearly 20 years’ rich heritage and a history of new Guinness World Records. In June 2022, while the three competing GB Row Challenge crews battle their way, unsupported, around the gruelling 3,500km course to circumnavigate the British Isles, they will undertake the largest-ever collection of marine biology data of its kind in the UK. GB Row Challenge is working exclusively for a minimum of four years with the University of Portsmouth and this collaboration is being led by Dr Fay Couceiro. The aim is to not only highlight the environmental impact of humans on our planet, but also - by creating awareness - to change human behaviour. Working alongside our race outreach charity partner Active Row, many schools, teams and businesses will be participating in a virtual indoor rowing challenge that follows the actual GB Row Challenge crews on an interactive Race Tracker website, helping to foster an enjoyment for rowing while learning about the important work of the University of Portsmouth and their data analysis.
Pictures © GB Row Challenge Ltd
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GB ROW CHALLENGE "Having rowed the Mid-Atlantic in 2014 in 39 days and Rowed Around Great Britain in 2017 in 37 days, I am in the unique position of being able to compare the two events. The Mid Atlantic route has the isolation factor of being miles from anywhere and course-plotting is straight forward, the Row Around Great Britain Challenge takes this to the next stage due to need to factor in ever-changing tidal flows, the challenge of navigating busy shipping lanes and the effect the coastline has on the weather conditions. The isolation factor is heightened by being able to see land but never touch it. So, if you’re looking for a challenge that will test you physically and mentally then the Row Around Great Britain challenge is the one for you." - Jeremy Webb THE ROUTE Start date: 12 June 2022 Time: 13:00hrs Start and finish location: Tower Bridge, London Rowing over 2000 miles unassisted requires much more than just strength, stamina and endurance. To be able to successfully circumnavigate Great Britain teams need to understand navigation and the sea's tidal flow, which is why it's acknowledged to be the toughest rowing race in the world. Rowing against changeable winds and fast turning tides makes this a greater test of endurance and skill than trans-ocean rowing.
Did you know…? With the changeable tides, currents, and weather conditions, crews will need to seek a safe haven for shelter. This means going on anchor for what could be hours and sometimes days until favourable conditions come again. Crews cannot go ashore as this is an unsupported row. The water of the River Thames, harbours and certain locations means that the watermaker cannot be used for health reasons, the crew must consume bottled water, then replenish when back rowing on the open sea.
Pictures and map © GB Row Challenge Ltd
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GB ROW CHALLENGE
GB ROW CHALLENGE
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
To succeed in GB Row Challenge a team requires the same characteristics that will make its members successful and fulfilled in all walks of life – Teamwork, resilience, problem solving, preparation and determination. To achieve this there must be a core and underlying purpose that holds all these elements together when under pressure. A purpose greater than just competition… GB Row Challenge fosters a culture within its competitors and supporters that stands for more than just sport or individual gains, believing in a greater purpose. For GB Row Challenge, that purpose is protecting the oceans and waters on which we row. To protect our oceans we must first understand them and then share that knowledge and connection. This is why GB Row Challenge is partnered with Active Row (part of London Youth Rowing). With a completely aligned vision of enabling the physical and mental benefits of rowing as a sport, while fostering the life skills that help kids succeed, we are working together to build a legacy in the next generation of purpose-driven rowers.
Engaging with Active Row’s programme of 100 schools across Britain, school and club teams will be following the GB Row Challenge race tracker and competing virtually on rowing machines, bikes & running, to match the GB Row boats as they circumnavigate Britain. Alongside this, through team activities and learning tools, our scientists and competitors will be sharing our ocean purpose, helping kids understand the importance of protecting our oceans. We will be encouraging and supporting groups of kids to plan and problem solve local initiatives to help protect the waters local to them. As these purpose-driven kids build on these key values and life skills, we look forward to seeing Active Row teams competing in GB Row Challenge crews in the coming years! Companies can support Active Row and local initiatives. Or sign up to join the virtual teams event. To enter GB Row Challenge 2023/24/25 to take on the event, you can do it with your own boat, or you can use a club boat. To find out more visit www.londonyouthrowing.com/events/gbrow
Pictures © GB Row Challenge Ltd / Team Albatross
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GB ROW CHALLENGE
MICRO PLASTICS There’s a huge body of evidence showing the harmful impact of microplastics on aquatic life. In partnership with the University of Portsmouth, GB Row will undertake a detailed survey of pollution around Great Britain’s waters to assess the environmental damage and long term impact of pollutants on our seas and oceans. The research will focus on the following:
Microplastics Underwater noise Environmental DNA (eDNA) Salinity Temperature
Throughout the 3,500km race, samples of microplastics, environmental DNA (eDNA), temperature, noise and salinity will be gathered by rowers with a range of sensors and equipment attached to their vessels. Researchers from the University of Portsmouth will then analyse the samples. As the race progresses, a map of microplastic and noise pollution around the UK will be developed for the very first time. The research will run for four years, starting in 2022, so we’ll be able to compare the data each year to track any trends or changes. "There is currently no complete map for the UK concentrations of microplastics in the coastal waters. The closest map comes from Cefas, but is incomplete and does not show how concentrations change over time. Data collected during the annual GB Row Challenge will significantly improve our understanding of the changing numbers of microplastics in our waters." - Dr Fay Couceiro
The research will be examining microplastics above 50 micron in size — the very smallest size you can see with a human eye. The plastic fragments will be identified with a specialist microscope in the University labs, which can even detect the type of plastic found. UNDERWATER NOISE POLLUTION Noise pollution is one of the major pollution problems in our ocean. As human activity expands, underwater soundscapes are changing. Habitats are increasingly dominated by human-made noise, which can have a range of impacts on marine wildlife – from behavioural disturbance to physiological damage. Constant noise samples will be taken via an underwater microphone fitted to the boats, called a hydrophone. eDNA Other water samples will allow scientists to measure eDNA in fish and marine mammals. It will create a picture of what species are living in and around different areas of the coast and how these might be changing over time. SALINITY AND TEMPERATURE Sensitive temperature and salinity monitors onboard the GB Row boats will provide very accurate data, which may reveal changes year on year. For more in-depth information on the research being conducted, including a video of the onboard filtration system, please visit:
www.gbrowchallenge.com/race-with-purpose
Pictures © GB Row Challenge Ltd
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GB ROW CHALLENGE
© GB Row Challenge Ltd
GB ROW
THE TEAMS
CHALLENGE
ALBATROSS Crew:
Albert Farrant, Andrew Triggs Hodge OBE, Darren Saunders, Kat Bruce, Robin Bourne-Taylor, Tim Lodge, William De Laszlo
Charity: Active Row Team Albatross is fundraising for Active Row, a programme run by the charity London Youth Rowing. Sport is one of the most powerful tools to support and guide all young people, but it's not a level playing field and those who need it the most face the biggest barriers. CLICK TO DONATE © GB Row Challenge Ltd
ALL SYSTEMS ROW Crew:
Charlie Cooper, Jess Plail, Andrea Harwood, Lia Evans, Steph Toogood, Fiona Jamie
Charity: Renewable World All Systems Row is a team of six accomplished and professional women, spanning four decades of life, who live along the South Coast of England. These determined women will be pushing their bodies and minds to the limit in GB Row 2022 in a bid to beat the current female unsupported World Record of 51 days, which was set in 2010. CLICK TO DONATE
© All Systems Row / Martin Barraud
SEA LEGS Crew:
Chris Howard, Emma Wolstenholme, Jason McKinlay, Lamin Deen, Sophie Harris
Charity: The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Sea Legs are a mixed crew made up of an Olympian, Paralympian, former RAF navigator, a World Record holder for the GB row pairs & a British Adventurer. CLICK TO DONATE © Sea Legs / GB Row Challenge Ltd
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GB ROW CHALLENGE
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
© GB Row Challenge Ltd
If you would like more information on the GB Row Challenge, or if you are interested in entering the GB Row Challenge, please visit their website and sign-up - they will keep you updated as the events develop. GB Row encourages private boats and crews to enter as well as teams wishing to use GB Row Challenge boats, equipped with scientific equipment.
www.gbrowchallenge.com
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All pictures © Provided by HeadTorch UK
EQUIPMENT: HEAD TORCH
When rowing at night or in reduced visibility, the
headtorch becomes an important piece of equipment, it helps the rower not only to see, but can also be used in emergency situations in communicating with another craft. The WAVE Rowing approached HeadTorch UKTM to conduct a case study to find out how their product will help the rowers of All Systems Row and Sea Legs on the GB Row Challenge 2022. HeadTorch UK™ is a leading supplier of high quality and reliable head torches for various activities, including: cycling, running, sailing, rowing and industrial use. All Systems Row approached us as they were interested in using our head torches for their training sessions and we provided them with our popular WAVE v1 head torches. We asked All Systems Row some questions about their experience using the WAVE v1:
“I like the HeadTorch UK products as they are not bulky or heavy like some other brands. Furthermore, they hold their charge extremely well and the red light is subtle but effective” - Lia, Rower, All Systems Row
What did the team need the head torches for? The team needed the head torches for (red) light in the cabins or white light in an emergency, thus they are part of our essential night time rowing kit. How did the team benefit from using the head torches? The team benefited from using the head torches whilst getting changed into/out of wet gear when the second cabin mate was asleep, as the red light is less bright. Additionally, the head torches are essential when knot tying and or dropping the anchor, when brighter lights are required, But not too bright to affect our night vision. Point out some areas where the head torch might not have been suitable? They are not suitable for wear in the water What is the team's favourite feature about the head torch? The red light for it is just enough for short distance vision and does not wake up the other crew member in the cabin. Explain how the head torch held up to the required tasks? The charge lasts well and enables us use through multiple nights.
TheWaveRowing.com
Claim your exclusive 15% discount with the code ASR15 at www.headtorchuk.co.uk Follow HeadTorch UK on social media for special discounts, new products and much more:
@headtorchuk Issue 11
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ROWING THE CALEDONIAN CANAL
ROWING THE CALENDONIAN CANAL
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ROWING THE CALEDONIAN CANAL
Day 2: An early start to the day to meet Peter Wells of Row Tours who introduced us to the boats we’ll be using for this expedition. We unloaded and rigged them ready to be rowed. The fleets consisted of two Swift Racing coastal coxed quads (C4X+), and two Swift Racing coastal double sculls (C2X).
Plymouth based Mayflower Offshore Rowing were seeking an adventure, an adventure that for many of its members have been waiting a long time for. Jeff Keast of Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club (MORC) shares their blog as to their journey rowing the Caledonian Canal. I [Jeff] first heard about the Caledonia Canal 7 years ago, it is one of those rows that captured the imagination so I began in my quest to research how to do it and found a blog by Queensferry Gig Club – I can be done. There have also been a couple of other rowing trips on the canal however, there were none of them seemed to have be completed from sea to sea other than Row Aurora in an Ocean Rowing boat in 2021. That's when I decided that we needed to do the entire canal/Loch system in a sliding-seat coastal sculling boat – the same type that we row at MORC. After 2 years of planning & 2 reconnaissance trips, we finally got to row the 64 miles. Here’s our blog sharing our experience of rowing through the beauty of Scotland along the Caledonian Canal. Day 1: Sunday 15th May 2022: We caught a flight from Bristol to Inverness with 15 other Morcers. Upon arrival, we jumped on-board a coach and made our way to the starting point at Fort William.
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At 08:30, we took our first stroke away from Lochaber Yacht Club and rowed the 2 miles to Corpach Sea lock. Upon arrival at the lock, they informed us that they weren’t expecting us and initially refused enter into the first sea lock – however, after showing them our canal licenses and explaining our trip we were granted the access into Corpach Sea lock, with a very nervous crew entering a lock where the two quads and two doubles had to raft alongside one another. After a couple more locks and a 2 mile row we arrived at Neptune’s staircase - an 8 lock system climb! Another problem! We're told that we'll have to carry them around, after some negotiations we settle on carrying the two doubles & get the quads through the lock system. Wind and rain make an uncomfortable start to our adventure. The lock keepers are fantastic and let some of us into his Bothie - small lock keepers cottage to keep warm. After six more miles on the canal we arrived at Loch Lochy, the row across the loch is ten miles but with a North-East breeze, it made for a tough row until suddenly the wind dropped and the final two miles were rowed on glass flat water. We finally arrived at Laggan moorings for an overnight stay. After an unexpected dip into the loch for one of our rowers (me) while getting out of a double. After a one mile walk to The Great Glen Hostel. We finally put our feet up having cooked ourselves spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread!
TheWaveRowing.com
ROWING THE CALEDONIAN CANAL Lessons learnt from Day 2: - A no from the lock keepers is just a starting position, in the end they do everything to help you through the locks. - Take your time & get help whilst getting out of the boats on pontoons. - You need at least 2 road crew to follow you & help you through the locks. Day 3: The sun made a welcomed appearance ready for our mile walk back to the boats. We set off for Laggan lock where we then enjoyed a very picturesque two mile canal row to Loch Oich. A south-westerly breeze now helps us down the four miles of the loch.
Lessons learnt from Day 4: - Don’t underestimate Loch Ness, a safety boat might cost you a few quid but if we had capsized, the other boats would have been unable to help apart from radio for assistance! - Have decent communications with your land crew, we had VHF and phone but the signal was patchy. - If the wind had been brisk North Easterly, it would have been impossible to row Loch Ness!
We rowed under Aberchalder Swing Bridge and approached Cullochy lock. We knew this lock was not in service so had plans to transit the four boats around it, a massive undertaking! However, as we arrived at the loch we are told that it is about to be tested and we can be the guinea pigs! As a result, we become the first boats through Cullochy lock for over 18 months! After a further two miles and Kytra lock, we arrived at the 5 lock descent of Fort Augustus. Life jackets on for lock descents. The boats were moored overnight by Loch Ness with our overnight stay at the excellent Morag’s Lodge Hostel. Lessons Learnt from Day 3: - The canal lock keepers go above & beyond to help. Advance warning of approach is a must. - Life jackets for the people pulling you through the locks. Day 4: We awoke to a brisk South Westerly breeze… hopefully this will help along our 17 miles today. After an initial two miles of relativity calm water we start to encounter rolling sets of waves and with the swirling wind made for some uncomfortable rowing - especially in the doubles! We decide to land on a sheltered beach near Invermorsten to have lunch. Life jackets on! I was seriously thinking that we might have to abandon the day’s row as it was getting dangerous. An hour later, the wind has eased so we sent a quad ahead to scout for sheltered bays with the rest of the boats following behind. The last sheltered bay for ten miles appears and we decide to go for it, an exciting row to Urquhart Castle and shelter. The boats were to be moored to a jetty. These were planned to be our overnight moorings but with a forecast of higher winds for the next day we decide to push on and finish Loch Ness, so we rowed back out into the rolling sets of waves but we're now getting use to them and get to Loch’s end and Dochgarroch lock with its moorings. It’s not easy to spot the entrance to Loch Dochfour (look out for the green & red marker buoys)
Day 5: Back to Dochgarroch moorings and a pleasant canal row towards the Muritown lock descent passing Inverness Rowing Club. The canal also features two very low swing bridges which we just managed to slowly get under. We tried to make contact with the bridge operators but they didn't have their radios switched on! There was a two hour wait at the top of the four locks, so we took this time to enjoy breakfast at a local cafe, Jammie bites! A smooth descent and onto Clachnaharry works lock and railway swing bridge. Then a row into the sea basin with only 1 lock to go. The wind was blowing a strong south-westerly, with our crossing to North Kessock it looked unlikely so we decide to wait for the tide to be at its highest and hope that the wind drops! After an hour, the wind had eased a bit so we decide to go for it. When the sea lock opens there's a standing wave just outside & this makes our exit from the Caledonia Canal an exciting way to finish, a mile row across Beauly Firth in washing machine conditions and we make it to North Kessock community slipway. We recovered the four boats and ended with a welldeserved pint in the pub opposite!
A car trip back to Drumnadrochit for our overnight stay at Loch Ness Backpackers Hostel.
TheWaveRowing.com
Issue 11
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ROWING THE CALEDONIAN CANAL Lessons learnt - Ask the canal staff to radio ahead & tell the next lock keepers what to expect. Especially important for the next day! - Work as a team but have only one voice in the boat and one person in charge at the top of the locks. - Don't be afraid to wait and see if the weather improves as it can change dramatically within an hour! - You need the tide to be high when leaving Clachnaharry sea lock!! - You need two long tow lines per boat, stern line is for pulling the boats through & the bow line is for steering! - Invest in paddles, we had telescopic ones, helps you push the boats off the lock walls & helps the cox manoeuvre in tight spots. - Take a basic tool kit with you. - Make sure your rowers & coxes have lots of thin layers on & a decent waterproof. - Getting through the locks takes time, make sure you factor that into your plan. - Early May is a great time to go as its quiet but this means less Scottish Canal staff & this slows down the transits through the locks. But no midges!!
We're the first Coastal Rowing Club to do the entire Caledonia Canal, 64 miles of sea, canal & Lochs! It's great fun but you'll need to be distance fit and be prepared to get in and out of the boats in some tricky places and have a plan B & C ready for when challenges occur, and they will!! There's no such thing as enough preparations! Fantastic week away where you really get to know people as you spent about 16 hours a day together!! Jeff Keast For more information on:
Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club For information on rowing the Caledonian Canal:
www.thewaverowing.com
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#thewaverowing The WAVE – The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine rowing@thewaverowing.com www.thewaverowing.com Editor, creator, formatting Craig Chaulk; Advertisement liaison and assistance: Ania Wieczorek A special thank you to all those that have contributed content for this issue. I hope you all enjoy this issue, and may there be many more. Front cover: © Photo: All Systems Row picture by Martin Barraud. The views expressed by the individual contributor are not necessarily those of The WAVE - The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine. Though the magazine will approach brands, partners and clubs about their product in providing you content, equally the inclusion of advertisements or link in this magazine and page does not constitute endorsem ent of the products, services or entities concern by The WAVE - The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine. The WAVE - The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine is not able to recommend any product or sale, guarantee that it is free of any banned substance or take any responsibility for any claims of effectiveness or sales conducted. The WAVE - The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine is not affiliated with or endorsed by British Rowing Ltd or its representative associations; this magazi ne is purely to help promote, highlight, publicise and help in any way it can in bringing attention to the coastal, offshore, and ocean rowing activities, its clubs, community and charities in supporting them. This is a not-for-profit magazine, money will go back into the sport and its promotion. All images that appear in the publication and on its social media channels and website are copyright their respective owners and The WAVE - The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine of claims no credit for them unless otherwise noted. If you own the rights to any of the images and do not wish them to appear on the site please contact us rowi ng@thewaverowing.com with a screenshot and they will be promptly removed. External websites are used at your own risk. © Copyright 2019-2022. Published by The WAVE - The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine. All rights reserved. Issue 11 (V1) No part of the publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, and recording or otherwise including its logo without written permission of The WAVE - The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine. Issue #5 V1
