Major rowing event coming back to Stranraer
Skiffieworlds is returning to Stranraer in 2025.
Last updated 21st Nov 2023
Stranraer will be hosting a major rowing event again next year - the St Ayles Skiff World Championship.
It's set to take place on the calm waters of Loch Ryan where nearly 3,000 participants gather from around the world to compete – some teams even travel from as far as Australia, Tasmania and South Africa.
The southwest town previously hosted in 2019 and an estimated 30,000 people were thought to have attended as spectators, including HRH The Princess Royal. An independent economic impact report showed that SkiffieWorlds generated almost £4 million to the local economy. The week-long event occurs every three years and was considered hugely successful by competitors.
St Ayles Skiffs are four-oared wooden boats with fixed seats that are usually rowed as a sweep boat with one oar per person, however, they can also be sculled, with two sculls per person – this is a typically modern type of fixed seat boat.
Scottish Coastal Rowing Association and St Ayles Skiff International reflected on Stranraer’s victorious and enjoyable event:
“Stranraer’s combination of sheltered water closes to a long beach and all the town’s amenities, a comprehensive programme of shore events, and a warm and genuine welcome from local people, made the event very memorable. Skiff rowers have been asking if we are going back to Stranraer ever since.”
SWSA had put in a bid to host again in 2025 with many improvements planned and in progress. The championships are set to take advantage of using brand new and enhanced facilities on Loch Ryan, including a Water Sports Hub next to the waterfront which is due to open two months before the event. On-water improvements, long-lasting skiff racing lanes and observing stands for the public will be delivered as part of the SWSA project.
Wendi Cuffe of SWSA, who managed the bid, is excited to be hosting the major event again: “We are absolutely thrilled that Stranraer has been awarded SkiffieWorlds 2025, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of competitors, from all over the world, to Stranraer for this major event.”
St Ayles Skiff racing was created ten years ago in Scotland and is now one of the world’s fastest growing water sports. Wendi Cuffe says the team and her are already busy preparing:
“We have 18 months of hard work and event planning ahead of us, but we are thoroughly looking forward to working with other community groups and organisations to make the most of this major event for Stranraer.”