County Rowers shine on Lake Champlain

Sea Spirit leading the pack.

Sea Spirit in the lead, followed be Sea Shadow.

Twenty Prince Edward County members of the Ayle of Quinte Skiff Club rowed their way to top place finishes recently at the Annual Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Challenge Race Weekend, in Vermont.

“The two St Ayles skiffs, Sea Shadow and sister boat Sea Spirit were trailered to the Museum and rowed in two across-the-lake races on Saturday and a three mile race on Sunday,” explained Don Farrington. “Crews had considerable success with two first place finishes along with a second and fourth place on Saturday and a first and third place finish on the longer Sunday race.”

Similar to small boats used for fishing and transportation between the Scottish isles that stretch in a line from the Orkneys to the Shetlands, the St. Ayles skiff has become a phenomenon among rowing and wooden boat enthusiasts—with regattas, races and events popping up across Scotland, the U.K. to Australia and North American.

This is the second year the club has travelled to the museum for the event. Members were delighted to re-visit with their American friends.

Club members row regularly from the Waupoos Marina on Tuesdays and Thursdays and, weather permitting, around Waupoos Island on weekends.

Planning is under way for a five day row from Trenton back to Waupoos in September, with stops in Belleville, Green Point, Picton and Prinyers Cove.

The PEC members built the first Ayle Skiff

The Ayle of Quinte Skiff Club is a member of Row Ontario and Rowing Canada. Follow them on FACEBOOK:  Ayle of Quinte Skiff Club.

Sea Spirit in the lead, followed be Sea Shadow.

Crew from Prince Edward County