Bray People

Terry building new club skiff by hand

BRAY ROWING CLUB INVITES SPONSORS TO NAME VESSEL

- By MARY FOGARTY

TERRY Keogh is in the process of building a new boat for Bray Rowing club, and the club is looking for support from local businesses or investors to sponsor the naming of the beautiful new vessel.

Experience­d boat-builder Terry has been building the boat at the rowing club premises on Bray seafront throughout the winter months.

The boat is what’s known as an East Coast Skiff. The history of skiff rowing on the East coast lies with the occupation of hobblers. The hobblers competed to pilot larger boats into harbours and were paid for their services.

Skiff rowing is alive and well in Bray, and Bray Rowing Club (BRC) continues to go from strength to strength. The club was founded in 1935 and the membership and activities of BRC continue to the present day. The club has regular open days, and welcomes new members from the age of 14 and over.

The club trains most week nights on Bray seafront and has an active off-season training calendar.

The club participat­es in the East Coast Regatta circuit, with clubs from Skerries down to Arklow competing most weekends during the summer months.

Club members are very excited about launching the boat this summer and are hopeful that a local sponsor will se- cure the naming rights for the boat. Sponsorshi­p will offer a unique opportunit­y to contribute to the sporting and cultural heritage of Bray’s seafaring tradition.

Most of the work of BRC relies on fundraisin­g and volunteers and therefore sponsorshi­p would be a great boost to the club whilst also enhancing positive exposure for the sponsor.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the naming rights for the new boat should contact Andy O’Reilly on 087 2539339 or email brayrowing­club@gmail. com, by March 16.

 ??  ?? Terry Keogh at work on the boat at Bray Rowing Club’s premises on the seafront.
Terry Keogh at work on the boat at Bray Rowing Club’s premises on the seafront.

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