Ullapool Coastal Rowing

“We are delighted to inform you that your application to participate in the

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant

on Sunday, 3rd June 2012 has been successful.”“

That was the news that the crew of Ulla had been hoping for. What better way of starting the New Year than receiving an invite to join Her Majesty in a right Royal Cruise in Company  down the Thames on a Sunny Sunday afternoon in June. Brilliant!

Now comes the hard work – are our hoodies up to the mark? Will they even be accepted as appropriate best bib and tucker? Should we get the village dressmaker to run up something more suitable for our Golden Gals to represent the far Northern reaches of the Realm? And what about ‘Ulla’ herself – the bling quotient will need enhancement. Will a touch up to the paint and varnish be enough or do we need to go the whole hog – again? Some new ‘for best’ oars would be nice, perhaps with gilded blades to dazzle the spectators? lots of bunting to flutter in the breeze? How to find a way of getting close enough to the happening to snap it for the family album? Then there is the perrenial problem of finding the funds to pay for this? Then there are the logistics of getting our craft to the Thames – what about a coastal rowing excursion and should it be the left hand side or right – would it be cheating to pick up the inland waterway network on Mersyside? All these and many more questions will be answered in the coming months.

Oh Yes – and do we need a “Royal Committee” to organise it, or will we just wing it as usual?

In all the excitement almost forgot – UCRC wish all our fellow Skiffies and Supporters far and wide

2012 looks like being a good one for Coastal Rowing as increasing numbers of Skiffs take to the water. We look forward to welcoming many of you to Ullapool on 11th August for our own (slightly smaller) party.

The ‘Skiffies of Loch Broom’ calendar for 2012 arrived from the printers today.

2% of Skiffies of Loch Broom

We are pretty pleased with our first venture into the world of print, our printers have done a superb job. With the three Skiffie groups who play on the waters of Loch Broom represented by pictures of their boats, rowers and celebs we anticipate this limited edition production selling out fairly quickly. Having seen the final result we think it has turned out good value for a fiver. Now that the UCRC members have their orders in and our media supporters copies are in the post we have some calendars spare – so if you would like one just drop us an email to ullacoastrowing@btinternet.com and we will do the rest – at £5 a copy plus postage at cost. We have put a slideshow of the Calendar below.

Last Thursday at a ‘social’ evening in the Seaforth somebody thought it would be a good idea to practice MOB technique – in Winter in the North of Scotland! Given that the rowing bug has bitten so deep that there is no seasonal distinction perhaps not such a bad idea. It was also thought worthwhile seeing how Ulla behaved in a swamped condition – shall we simply say that the builders confidence that she would float  at the surface was not universally accepted. The SCRA rules sensibly require that we carry an anchor so that was another activity that it would be wise to practice in controlled conditions. John McI volunteered to be chucked over the side and Sunday’s forecast was relatively benign so the ‘Safety Session’ was on. Topher, who had just returned from relevant workshops at the SCRA AGM in Greenock, ran the session and has written up a fine set of conclusions which have been given their own page  to make future reference easier. This is something that ought, perhaps, to be practiced several times a year.

For lots of pix and a bit more film go and have a look at the Safety Matters page

Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club are pleased to announce a limited edition Calendar for 2012

Featuring pictures of the four Loch Broom Skiffs from our collection of the last year with vignettes of local Skiffie Celebs  it makes for a highly desirable addition to the well furnished home. We have included local Ullapool events that we are aware of and Skiff events declared so far.  This year, as a special introductory offer, we are able to provide 366 days for the price of 365.

The Calendar is a 13 page, A4 size, spiral bound with wall hanger printed on Silk finish quality paper and supplied with its own envelope, priced at a very reasonable £5. Stuck for that Christmas pressie for Aunt Glad – now you know what she really, really wants.

At the printers now it should be available in a couple of weeks. If you want to be sure of getting your hands on one or more drop a note saying how many to ullacoastrowing@btinternet.com and we will put you on the reserved list. Numbers are going to be limited and UCRC members will have priority. If you want them posted then postage will be at cost.

A different perspective on our Regatta way back in August has just seen the light of day. Ulla’s very own Beach Holder, Ali Foote, was taking the opportunity to get some fantastic shots when he wasn’t holding Ulla’s stern in place. 

This is a really cracking shot of  Ulla setting off in search of Gold – successfully. A very good selection of shots show the highs of the day – many ‘people’ shots of a fairly candid nature display some of the raw emotion experienced finishing with this charmer showing some of the Golden Girls enjoying a well deserved lemonade. 

The full collection can be seen on Ali’s Flickr page - as well as much else of local interest. So thanks Ali for such a great record and allowing us to show them – thanks also for standing up to your waist in Loch Broom and holding Ulla steady for the crews on that glorious day.

Ullapool was privileged to be chosen by Alec Jordan for the first launch of the prototype of Iain Oughtred’s latest design for Coastal Rowing, the ‘Weymss Skiff’. A goodly number of Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club members turned out to see the Skiff christened and put through her paces for the first time. A minature sister for the St Ayles Skiff she proved to be a delight, light and responsive and every bit as seaworthy as the St Ayles has proved to be. All the rowing members had a try in her and wore broad smiles when they came off the water. Mutterings were heard about how suitable she would be as an accompanying boat for ‘Ulla’. Unfortunately Alec was taking her further west so Iain Oughtred could cast his eye over her to finalise the production designso any ideas we may have had to relive him of the burden of looking after her were thwarted.