MORE than 2000 rowers from four continents will descend on Stranraer this weekend for the SkiffieWorlds championship.
The world championship regatta, which features colourful community-built boats, will be the largest ever gathering of St Ayles class of coastal rowing boats with a record-breaking 79 clubs competing from as far afield as Australia, South Africa, USA and Canada alongside teams from across the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Beyond the competitive action on water, Stranraer’s scenic waterfront park will be transformed into a vibrant festival hub from Sunday July 7 to Saturday July 12 with a focus on wellbeing and community.
The festival programme will feature seven days of entertainment. Highlights include the spectacular opening ceremony all-boat row-in on Sunday, live music every evening, and family-friendly activities like circus skills, storytelling, and craft workshops throughout the week.
The championship racing itself promises to be spectacular, with over 100 races across multiple age categories from Under 17 to Over 60, plus mixed and open competitions. Big screens showing live drone footage and professional commentary will help spectators follow the action across the 2000-metre multi-lane course. The age range of competitors reflects the inclusive nature of the sport. The youngest competitor is 14 years of age, while the oldest is thought to be 81 years old.
Looking ahead to a week of competition and fun Wendi Cuffe, trustee of Stranraer Water Sports Association, said: “SkiffieWorlds is a world championship rowing event, but it’s about so much more than competition. It’s a celebration of community, connection, active participation and coastal heritage. The shoreside festival programme reflects everything that makes this sport special, from the international friendships forged through shared love of the water to the wellbeing benefits that keep people coming back to rowing.
“We’re particularly excited about the Wellness Hub, which acknowledges that coastal rowing is as much about mental health and community connection as it is about physical fitness. The record number of entries shows that Stranraer has established itself as the perfect stage for this growing global sport.”
