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The East Coast Rowing Council is the regional organisation of the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation on Ireland's East coast, representing the sport of Coastal and ocean rowing. As per local tradition, coastal rowing is undertaken by crews of four with one sweep oar each, and a coxwain, in wooden clinker-built boats. Formed in 1970, the ECRC has the task of formalising the rules, organising regatta dates and judging any disputes between members. Rules were laid down as to sizes and weights of skiffs to make races fairer. The ECRC represents clubs in the counties of Dublin and Wicklow.[1]
East Coast Tradition[edit]
Clinker skiff type boats were once one of the most numerous type of working boats found along the eastern seaboard of Ireland. They were recorded in 1874 by historian E.W. Holdsworth, where he noted that ‘The smaller boats employed for the line-fishery are of the same style as the Norway yawl, sharp at both ends.’.
Skiff racing has its origins in the occupation of hobbling. Hobblers were freelance pilots, and competition was strong to be the first to board the approaching ships. Not only did the successful hobblers receive payment to pilot the ships into port but they were also awarded the contract for discharging/loading those ships whilst in port.
The skiffs worked mainly between Lambay Island just north of Dublin Bay and Wicklow Head where they required considerable skill on behalf of the oarsmen. The long tradition of rowing is now carried on through the rowing clubs affiliated to East Coast Rowing Council. These clubs can be found around the old Dublin pilot stations of Ringsend & East Wall in Dublin Port, Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey, Bray, Greystones, Wicklow and Arklow. [2]
Member Clubs[edit]
The current members of the ECRC are:
- St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Ringsend
- Stella Maris Rowing Club, Ringsend
- St. Michael’s Rowing Club, Dún Laoghaire
- Dalkey Rowing Club
- Bray Rowing Club
- Greystones Rowing Club
- Wicklow Rowing Club
- Arklow Rowing Club
Racing[edit]
Each year the ECRC organises a summer schedule of regattas at clubs from Ringsend to Arklow where crews of all ages compete during the regatta. ECRC clubs also regularly compete in the bi-annual ‘Celtic Challenge’, a race of over 90 miles from Arklow to Aberystwyth in Wales as well as other long distance races such as the annual Ocean to City race in Cork, or the Kish lighthouse row in Dublin. Clubs can be regularly seen training at sea along the East Coast between April and September each year. Present day racing skiffs reflect their traditional origins, and are twenty-five foot long, clinker built, double-enders.
2009 Regatta Dates[edit]
The provisional dates for the 2009 ECRC affiliated clubs are:
| Host | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| ECRC Invitational & Stella Maris | Ringsend | 23rd/24th May |
| Greystones | Wicklow | 7th June |
| Dalkey | Sandycove Hbr | 14th June |
| St. Patrick's | Ringsend | 28th June |
| St. Michael's | West Pier, Dun Laoghaire Hbr. | 12th July |
| Bray | Bray | 26th July |
| Wicklow | Wicklow | 3rd August |
| Arklow | Arklow | T.B.A. |
References[edit]
- ^ History of Dalkey Rowing Club, Retrieved on 12 Feb 2009.
- ^ HOBBLING HAS TURNED TO SKIFF RACING IN DUBLIN BAY by Darina Tully, Retrieved on 12 Feb 2009.