East Coast Rowing Council (Ireland)
Encyclopedia
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 coxswain, in wooden clinker-built boats. Formed in 1936, 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, Wicklow
, and North Wexford
.
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 and East Wall in Dublin Port, Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey, Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Arklow, and Courtown.
’, 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 25 feet (7.6 m), clinker built, double-enders.
’ kicking off the season for a few of the clubs. Below are the dates of most of the events ECRC crews made an appearance at:
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's East coast, representing the sport of Coastal and ocean rowing
Coastal and ocean rowing
Coastal and offshore rowing is a type of rowing performed at sea. Due to the harsher conditions encountered, the boats are wider and more robust than those used on rivers and lakes.-International competition:...
. As per local tradition, coastal rowing is undertaken by crews of four with one sweep oar each, and a coxswain, in wooden clinker-built boats. Formed in 1936, 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, Wicklow
Wicklow
Wicklow) is the county town of County Wicklow in Ireland. Located south of Dublin on the east coast of the island, it has a population of 10,070 according to the 2006 census. The town is situated to the east of the N11 route between Dublin and Wexford. Wicklow is also connected to the rail...
, and North Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
.
East Coast tradition
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 and East Wall in Dublin Port, Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey, Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Arklow, and Courtown.
Member clubs
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
- Courtown Rowing Club
Racing
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 biennial ‘Celtic ChallengeCeltic challenge rowing race
The Celtic Challenge Rowing Race is a 96 mile rowing race from Arklow in Ireland to Aberystwyth in Wales. It is a biennial event which usually takes place on the first Saturday in May. Crews from Wales, Ireland, England and as far afield as Germany compete.The race is open to all 4-oared boats...
’, 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 25 feet (7.6 m), clinker built, double-enders.
2009 regattas
| Host | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| ECRC Invitational & Stella Maris | Ringsend | 23/24 May |
| Greystones | Wicklow | 7 June |
| Dalkey | Sandycove Hbr | 14 June |
| St. Patrick's | Ringsend | 28 June |
| St. Michael's | West Pier, Dun Laoghaire Hbr. | 12 July |
| Bray | Bray | 26 July |
| Wicklow | Wicklow | 3 August |
| Arklow | Arklow | T.B.A. |
2010 events and regattas
2010 was an exciting year in the ECRC calendar with the ‘Celtic ChallengeCeltic challenge rowing race
The Celtic Challenge Rowing Race is a 96 mile rowing race from Arklow in Ireland to Aberystwyth in Wales. It is a biennial event which usually takes place on the first Saturday in May. Crews from Wales, Ireland, England and as far afield as Germany compete.The race is open to all 4-oared boats...
’ kicking off the season for a few of the clubs. Below are the dates of most of the events ECRC crews made an appearance at:
| Host | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Challenge 2010 | Arklow - Aberystwyth | 1 - 2 May |
| Stella Maris | Ringsend | 30 May |
| St. Michael's | West Pier, Dun Laoghaire Hbr. | 13 June |
| Arklow | Arklow | 27 June |
| St. Patrick's | Ringsend | 4 July |
| Courtown | Courtown (format TBC) | 11 July |
| Bray | Bray | 18 July |
| Dalkey | Sandycove Hbr | 25 July |
| Greystones | Wicklow | 31 July |
| Wicklow | Wicklow | 2 August |
| All Ireland Championships | Whitegate (Cork) | 14/15 August |
| Hobbler's Challenge (25 km race) | Dun Laoghaire | 21 August |
2011 events and regattas
The provisional schedule for 2011 is as follows:-| Host | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Stella Maris | Ringsend | Sun 29th May |
| St. Michael's | West Pier, Dun Laoghaire Hbr. | Sun 19th June |
| Arklow | Arklow | Sun 26th June |
| Courtown | Courtown | Sun 10th July |
| Bray | Bray | Sun 17th July |
| St. Patrick's | Ringsend | Sat/Sun 23rd/24th July |
| Greystones | Wicklow | Sat 30th July |
| Wicklow | Wicklow | Mon 1st August |
| All Ireland Championships | Rosslare - Wexford | Sat/Sun 20th/21st August |
| Hobbler's Challenge (25 km race) | Dun Laoghaire | Sat 3rd September |