Newsletter 12-Sep-24

First Cornish gig to reach Snape Maltings?

The club’s rowers have been spending the last days of summer tackling a series of amazing ‘Swallows and Amazons’ style adventure rows in new waters. 

The big adventure kicked off on Thursday 29 August with an epic 3 hr, 11.5 mile row in St Felix – towing our tender Moby Dick and coxed by Captain Tim – from Felixstowe Ferry up the coast to Orford Sailing Club. We found our mooring conveniently placed right in front of the Sailing Club pontoon and the Club has been so friendly, helpful and hospitable.

Subsequent excursions have included rows up Butley River and around Havergate Island to Boyton Dock in sight of the Butley ferry – an 8 mile round trip. The crew had to really dig in for one of the Butley rows against strong wind and tide, with Lyn and Susan coxing brilliantly in unknown waters. Another 9.5 mile excursion coxed by Jane and Catherine was in sunshine and included a warm welcome from Bobby the Ferryman and a picnic and swim before continuing upriver to see seals and the oysterage. 

The marathon 6 hr round trip to Snape Maltings involved some excellent coxing from Paul, especially through the narrow, windy channel. The crew was met by Captain Tim for a well-deserved break before the long row back through spectacular scenery to Orford. Are we the first Cornish pilot gig to make that 23 mile round trip?

On a wonderfully hot day another crew took off up the River Alde to beyond Aldeburgh, with some 14 miles covered in three hours. 

Ten days after first setting off, on Sunday 8 September, we were ready for an early morning return row but sadly, after reaching the mouth of the Ore, windy conditions at sea meant that Captain Tim had to make the tough decision to return to Orford and drive St Felix back to Felixstowe Ferry by road. She’s now safely home and resting after being rowed 140 km (90 miles) in total during her adventures!

Felixstowe Rowing Club members are so grateful to Captain Tim and to Paul for working out all the logistics for us including the risk assessment, tides, maps and organising the crews. Everyone who wanted a row got at least one, with some intrepid rowers taking on several excursions. We had to cancel a couple of the outings as the wind was just too strong, but overall it’s been a hugely successful enterprise and we really hope to do it again next year.

If you are interested in trying rowing then do get in touch with us – rowing@fxrc.co.uk. We are currently holding a short wait list.