SCRA Cox Training Course
A report courtesy of Jean Langhorne.
As Scotland’s newest coastal rowing club, we were very chuffed to have a chance to take part in the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association (SCRA) cox training course at Ardfern recently.
The weekend was hosted by Craignish Boat Club and the two SCRA cox trainers were Liz Furrie from Broughty Ferry CR and Anne Purcell from Queensferry CR.
In attendance over the two day course were twenty trainee coxswains from four clubs: Craignish, Achnamara, Lorn and the two of us from Moidart. We were the keen rookies; the only ones without a club boat (yet!) and the least experienced rowers. However we were made to feel very welcome and really enjoyed the weekend. Saturday afternoon was classroom theory in the village hall (with plenty of cake and tea) and Sunday morning was coxing practice on the water in two beautiful skiffs: Daisy Bell and the Craignish Comet. The Saturday classroom session began with the skills and responsibilities of the cox, and what important considerations are involved in making the crucial decision of whether or not to launch the boat. We also discussed the role of the responsible person, lifejackets, potential hazards, the essentials of the boat, the boat checklist, the VHF and the most important element – the crew!
The weather on Sunday was warm and dry with a gentle breeze; ideal for practising the skills of boat handling, manoeuvring in tight spaces, buoy turns and backing onto a buoy, hard stops, spins, pontoon arrival and departure and oar deployment.
A very informative and useful weekend: much to learn and practise, lots to think about in terms of what structures and protocols to put in place for our own club.
Everyone we met from the other three clubs were all very friendly and enthusiastic about all things skiff and rowing-related.
It was a real pleasure to have a chance to row these two beautiful skiffs: Achnamara’s “Daisy Bell and the “Craignish Comet”.
We’re really looking forward to having a chance to put these new rowing and coxing skills to good use very soon. While we’re waiting for our own Moidart skiff to be finished, we’re taking opportunities to get out on the water and get some rowing practice with Lochaber Coastal Rowing Club at Corpach, near Fort William.