3,000 ROWERS DESCEND ON TOWN FOR CHAMPIONSHIP
MORE THAN 3,000 rowers descended on Wexford town over the weekend for this year’s All Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships which were held at Ferrybank over three days.
500 crews descended and, much like the Vikings, did battle on the waters of the sunny South East with Kerry Clubs proving to be the standard-bearers.
The event was hosted by the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation with the assistance of Troll and Maudlintown Rowing Clubs. There was an array of races in a variety of boats, such as Celtic Boats, Currachs, East Coast Skiffs, Wexford Cots, Kerry Four Oars, Donegal Skiffs, Celtic Long Boats and the South Kerry Seine boats.
It was Flesk Valley Rowing Club, from Killarney, who were crowned 2018 Senior Men’s Championships, and the Workmen’s Rowing Club, also from Killarney, who were crowned 2018 Senior Ladies’ Champions. Both clubs gave outstanding performances on the water. Workmen’s RC came away with nine gold medals, five silver and three bronze, while Flesk Valley returned with six gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
There was some joy for Wexford clubs also as Maudlintown and Troll were both represented on the leader board, taking home a bronze each.
The course, which was designed by Michael Curran from Donegal, came in for great praise. Conditions were testing for all rowers but, thankfully, most of the storm conditions blew over during Saturday night, setting Sunday up for a glorious, sunny day of racing.
Victor Bridges from Maudlintown Rowing Club said they had had a great weekend of racing with thousands of people both taking part and spectating.
This was the fourth time the event had been held in Wexford in its 27-year history, he pointed out.
He paid tribute to all of the volunteers who had assisted in the running of the event, joking that he might not have any friends left after it but the event had been a success!