On Monday 8^th July, the Princess Royal will launch the first ever St Ayles Skiff World Championships in Ullapool, Ross-shire. This heralds the start of a week-long rowing event, which will see more than 30 teams from as far away as the USA, New Zealand and Australia, compete on the waters of Loch Broom.

Hundreds of spectators and competitors are expected to gather in Ullapool to watch, support and take part in the new Championships. St Ayles Skiffs have initially been built by communities and groups across Scotland but interest in them has grown internationally and they are now built around the world.

The local boat ‘Ulla’ is already known to the Royal Family having attended, at the invite of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ross & Cromarty, Mrs Janet Bowen, the Jubilee Thames Regatta last year.

The Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club is delighted that this relationship is strengthened further with the Princess Royals’ visit.  Members look forward to welcoming Her Royal Highness and introducing her to the local and visiting skiff communities, as well as the many supporters of the event.

Topher Dawson, Convenor of the Club said “This is a really exciting way to open the World Championships.  The spectacle of over 30 rowing skiffs on the waters of Lochbroom will be a sight to behold, and it is especially fitting this will be witnessed by the Princess Royal”.

The governing body, the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association, has fully supported Ullapool’s hosting of the first Championships.  Robbie Wightman,Chair, said “the skiff community has grown remarkably over the past year, from the first boat launched in 2010.  It is a real endorsement that the Princess Royal is opening this first ever World Championships, and we are proud to introduce her to this community based sport.”

The Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club is extremely grateful to all our sponsors and supporters who have made this event possible.  More information can be found on the St Ayles Skiff World Championships Worlds website www.skiffieworlds.com/ and on Facebook.

Our good Neighbors from Coigach leading the pack – can they maintain their Midas touch when they row over for the Worlds?

50* days and Counting

* for the up to date countdown figure see the top of the sidebar to the right

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We can reveal the look of the SkiffieWorlds embroidered badge – all active participants will receive one as a small thank-you from Ullapool for helping make SkiffieWorlds such a great event.

The new badge on Ulla rowing top

For information on obtaining more visit the “Merchandise” page

These were beautifully made for us by i4c publicity to high quality in a tight timescale. We can unreservedly commend them to any other Skiffies thinking along similar lines.

Have a look at the merchandise page for details on the SkiffieWorlds Map offer.

We now have our raffle tickets on sale, somebody will win a car on Saturday 13th of July at the grand finale dance in the marquee and IT COULD BE YOU ! All the UK rowing clubs whose postal addresses are available have been sent a small number of tickets to sell and of course they are available here in Ullapool from committee and club members, also in the Seaforth and shortly various other local outlets. Anyone outside Ullapool that would like to help sell some tickets for us please be in touch, message here or call Fiona on 07801 533369

For those wanting to download a higher resolution printable up to A2 PDF file click here (13meg)