High winds hit Stranraer championships

A full day of events in a world rowing championships has been postponed over safety concerns due to high winds.

SkiffieWorlds 2025 started on Sunday on Loch Ryan, Stranraer, and involves more than 2,000 rowers and dozens of community-built St Ayles class boats.

North west winds gusting to about 40mph have been forecast for the race area.

Organisers said they hoped to resume the competition on Tuesday, with cancelled events rescheduled for later this week.

A record-breaking 79 clubs from as far afield as Australia, South Africa, the USA and Canada are taking part in this year’s championships.

Organisers said eight mile-long (13km) Loch Ryan was sheltered from most wind directions, but northerly winds blew directly down the sea loch.

Chief umpire Topher Dawson said scrapping Monday’s events was disappointing, but safety came first.

He said: “This is the biggest ever skiff event and, due to the size of it, rearranging the schedule is like a gigantic three dimensional jigsaw puzzle so that people don’t have to race too many times in one day.

“Accepting that the weather is unpredictable is part of coastal rowing, and you just have to take it as it comes.”

Mr Dawson said the postponement had not spoiled the competition.

He said: “The atmosphere at SkiffieWorlds remains really positive.

“Everyone is happy to enjoy the sunshine and to meet fellow rowers from different countries – it’s like being amongst 2,000 friends.”

The St Ayles skiff is a 22-foot (6.7m) fixed-seat rowing boat.

Each boat is typically built by the community that rows it.

The championships take place every three years.

When it was held in Stranraer in 2019, the SkiffieWorlds attracted about 30,000 visitors to the town and generated up to £4m for the local economy.

This year’s championship also showcases wider efforts to boost Stranraer’s transformation into a major water sports destination.

Work started earlier this year on a water sports hub in the town and it is scheduled to open next summer.