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 Boating Club launched their yoal "Scarfa", in 1997. It was built in Unst by William Mouat, according to traditional methods i.e.clinker built in larch, with 6 planks and 6 oars. 2007 will see Scarfa entering her 11th season of racing!
Every district has their own team colourways, both for their boat and their rowing shirts. Scarfa's exterior is painted a rather fetching British Racing Green, with a white waterline. Her interior is wood varnish with grey tafts (seats) and grey tilfers (floor). Her oars are varnished with white painted blades.
Races of 1000m are held regularly every summer from the end of May through to the end of August. The 2007 dates are detailed below. Regattas consist of points races for the 8 main categories i.e.
- Under 16 boys
- Under 16 girls
- Under 21 men
- Under 21 women
- Men
- Women
- Veteran men
- Veteran women
To qualify for the veteran categories you must have reached the age of 40. Trophies are awarded at each of the regattas, while an overall league competition is rowed for over the year. SYRA then present trophies for the category winners at the end of the rowing season.
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. The 2006 race was held on a beautiful calm and sunny night, although the mists had started to come down as the last boats approached the pier in Aith.
There was another addition to the fun races in 2006 with a Round Trondra race being held, a distance of some 6 miles. This race proved to be quite popular with monies raised being donated to local charities. There was a women's and a men's race with crews requiring to have at least two Under 21s and two Veterans as rowers.
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. The times are detailed below. If you would like more information or want to contact us click here.
Men - Tuesdays & Thursdays 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Veteran Men - Tuesdays & Thursdays 8.00pm - 9.00pm
Women - Mondays & Thursdays 8.00pm - 9.00pm
Veteran Women - Mondays & Wednesdays 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Under 16's - Mondays & Wednesdays 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Under 21's - Mondays & Wednesdays 6.00pm - 7.00pm
The Race Schedule for 2007 is as follows:
|
Month |
Date |
Location |
Type of Event |
|
May |
Saturday 26th |
Nort |
League |
|
June |
Saturday 9th |
Bigton |
League |
|
|
Friday 15th |
Skeld |
Sea Festival |
|
|
Saturday 24th |
Northmavine |
Sea Festival |
|
July |
Saturday 7th |
Whalsay |
League |
|
|
Wednesday 11th |
Brae - Aith |
Brae - Aith Race |
|
|
Saturday 21st |
Yell |
League |
|
|
Friday 27th |
Reawick |
League |
|
August |
Sunday 5th |
Trondra (at Scalloway) |
League |
|
|
Saturday 11th |
Burra |
Championships |
|
|
Saturday 18th |
Trondra |
Round Trondra Race |
|
September |
Saturday 22nd |
Gulberwick & Quarff |
Prize Giving |