Bad weather strikes but regatta still hailed a success
COCKENZIE & Port Seton Community Coastal Rowing Club, better known as Boatie Blest, held a successful boating regatta earlier this month, despite bad weather.
The event, at Port Seton Harbour, was at risk of late cancellation after heavy rain but, after the start time was moved slightly, it went ahead as planned.
About 120 participants from across the country took part in the annual event, as well as other East Lothian teams from Dunbar, Musselburgh and North Berwick.
Janet Beck, Boatie Blest chair, told the Courier: “The day was a success despite the weather. We had been a bit worried we were going to have to cancel and we wanted to make sure the event was safe.
“The forecast was for calm and sunny weather in the morning so we kicked off a little earlier than we had planned to.
“Everyone had a great time and in the end we only had to cancel three events: open men, open women and women over 45.
“We assessed the weather in the morning and we only took the decision to go ahead after careful consideration for safety.”
The mixed open event was won by North Berwick Rowing Club, while Eskmuthe Rowing Club of Musselburgh won the novice event.
Boatie Blest took first prize in the decades event, in which each rower must have been born in a different decade, and Troon Coastal Rowing Club came first in the 240 event, in which the rowing team’s age must combine to equal at least 240.
A race was also held between rowers from Cockenzie and rowers from Port Seton. This year’s race was won by the Port Seton crew.