Rowers from South of Perth travelled to the launch of Albany’s community boat building project on Saturday 29 June. The inaugural St Ayles Skiff Regatta was part of Albany’s Maritime Festival and was a good old fashioned community affair. “All at Sea Saturday” featured boats from Augusta, Denmark, Royal Freshwater Bay and South of Perth. In the morning, we beached the boats in front of the Albany Boat Shed to show off the craftsmanship in our skiffs and so locals could climb aboard for a row. In the afternoon, after a race briefing from organisers John Gaunt and Lawrence Cuthbert, we had the main event.
Racing saw Augusta and Freshwater Bay, with their experienced crews and high-tech oars in a class of their own. They battled it out for all 4 of the 500m races with Augusta taking home the overall champions trophy. For the first-time crew from South of Perth, it was all about participation and giving everyone a go, including some of the Albany boat building team. In that spirit we did manage to win a secret race back to the beach that the organisers had conveniently neglected to mention to the other crews. The presentations were a special night at Albany’s Premier Hotel with tasty meals and suitably nautical entertainment from the Albany Shantymen. If you get a chance, listen to their classic “The Wellerman” song, we loved it live at the Premier.
Albany are to build two of their own St Ayles Skiffs in time for making the regatta an annual event and a tilt at hosting the Australian championships in 2026. This just happens to be Albany’s bicentenary and going by the quality of their organisation for this event you won’t want to miss it. Bob Harrap and the SoPYC Bosuns Club have been assisting Albany with molds and plans as well as advice. Anne Benson is the coordinator for the rowing group now taking out the two club boats most Weekends. If rowing a skiff sounds like something you’d like to try, contact Anne via or 0426 724 810
Rod Harris
