Yoal Rowing
Rowing races have been held in Shetland for a long time, with the Inter-club trophies for Men and Women being competed for since the 1950's. During the 1990's rowing gained more popularity, with many communities within Shetland, from Unst to the Ness, raising money to purchase their own yoals. This resulted in a new body, the Shetland Yoal Rowing Association (SYRA), being formed to agree building and racing rules.
LERWICK YOAL - "SIRI"
Lerwick Boating Club launched their new yoal "Siri", at the end of April 2012. It was built in Unst by William Mouat, according to traditional methods i.e.clinker built in larch, with 6 planks and 6 oars. The previous yoal "Scarfa" completed 15 seasons of racing! The new yoal "Siri" was sponsored by local civil engineering firm, Arch Henderson, with grant support also gratefully received from The Rowing Foundation.
Every district has their own team colourways, both for their boat and their rowing shirts. Siri's exterior is painted a rather fetching British Racing Green, with a white waterline. Her interior is wood varnish with varnished tafts (seats) and tilfers (floor). Her oars are varnished with white blades.
YOAL ROWING RACES
Races of 1000m are held regularly every summer from May through to September. Click here for the 2012 regatta dates.
Regattas consist of points races for 8 different categories i.e.
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Under 16 girls
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Under 21 men
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Under 21 women
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Men
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Women
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Veteran men (Over 40)
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Veteran women (Over 40)
Trophies for each category are competed for at each of the regattas, whilst an overall points league is rowed for over the year. For 2012 league tables click here.
SYRA (Shetland Yoal Rowing Association) present trophies for the category winners at the prize-giving event at the end of the season. For this year's yoal rowing regatta results visit www.bigtonrowingclub.co.uk.
2011 was another successful year of racing for Lerwick with both the Under 16 boys and Under 21 men winning their categories. Every one of the 6 teams who competed finished in a top 3 league place. Lerwick were 4th in the league overall.
As well as the calendar of regattas to attend, a 'fun' race is organised in early July, between Brae and Aith. This requires a mixed male/female crew covering a distance of some 7 miles, and is keenly contested, with an excellent turnout of boats. There was another addition to the 'fun' races from 2006 with a Round Trondra race being held - a distance of some 6 miles. This race proved to be popular with monies raised being donated to local charities. There is a women's and men's race with crews requiring to have at least two Under 21s and two Veterans as rowers.
YOAL ROWING PRACTICE TIMES
The club is always looking for new members to come and join us, so if you would like to give rowing a go then please come along to a practice. We meet at the club (12a Commercial Street, Lerwick) where you will be made very welcome. The practices are held during the week (May - September) with the times detailed below. If you would like more information or want to contact us click here.
Men - Tuesdays & Thursdays 8.00pm - 9.00pm
Women - Mondays & Wednesdays 8.00pm - 9.00pm
Veteran Men - Tuesdays & Thursdays 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Veteran Women - Mondays & Wednesdays 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Under 16 Boys - Mondays & Wednesdays 5.00pm - 6.00pm
Under 16 Lasses - Tuesdays & Thursdays 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Under 21 Men - Mondays & Wednesdays 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Under 21 Women - Tuesdays & Thursdays 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Click for Yoal Photo Gallery.