NORTH Berwick Rowing Club (NBRC) are celebrating a momentous performance in the Skiffie World Championships, as the county club finished equal-fifth in the world.

The tournament took place in Kortgene in the Netherlands and brought together some of the best clubs from Scotland, Ireland, USA, England and Canada, as well as the host country.

Skiffs are rowing boats built for coastal rowing, differing from the more commonly known river rowing that is present in the Olympics.

The contest took place over six days, with more than 20 rowers representing the club, including five-in-a-row Atlantic rower Ian Baird.

The event consisted of a series of gruelling events along a two-kilometre stretch of the Dutch coast in a variety of men’s, women’s and mixed categories.

East Lothian Courier: NBRC members on the podiumNBRC members on the podium

In the championship, NBRC collected five medals (two golds and three bronze), collecting enough points to finished tied fifth with Broughty Ferry, tied for second best among Scottish clubs behind Eastern Rowing Club of Portobello, who placed third.

Other county clubs competing were Eskmuthe, from Musselburgh, who finished 23rd; and Boatie Blest, from Cockenzie and Port Seton, who placed tied-24th.

Millie Lowe, NBRC ladies’ captain, was delighted with her club’s performance and thanked the community behind the club for making it all possible.

She said: “It’s absolutely amazing, we have worked really hard.

“There’s such a great community aspect to this club, our training started last November and a lot of people have made this possible – from doing boat maintenance, coxing and helping with winter fitness.

“We take this really seriously and train hard, so we are absolutely buzzing to come out as one of the top Scottish clubs.”

East Lothian Courier: NBRC members on the podiumNBRC members on the podium

Millie was “cheesing” to see the club achieve its place amongst the world’s best. She added: “It’s a testament to all the work we have put in and it sets a benchmark for the next Worlds.”

The club is now getting ready to host the annual North Berwick Regatta on August 27, between 10am and 5pm, encouraging all budding young rowers to head along and watch the crews take to the sea.

NBRC’s medallists were:

  • Gold for the Women’s Open category: Lizzie Cowan, Rachel Schofield, Millie Lowe and Vik McDonald, and cox Jo Drewitt.
  • Gold for 40+ women: Lizzie Cowan, Lyndsay Henderson, Amanda Mustard and Vik McDonald, and cox Jacque Turner.
  • Bronze for the Mixed Open category: Ian Baird, Lyndsay Henderson, Millie Lowe and John Irvine, and cox Lizzie Cowan.
  • Bronze for the Women’s 50+ category – Claire Wallace, Jacque Turner, Jo Drewitt and Norma Loudon. and cox Sam Cowan.
  • Bronze for the 280+ category: a composite crew with two NBRC members Jonny MacNair and Sandy Wallace, alongside Jan and Carol (from Lake Champlain and Ullapool respectively), and cox Jo Drewitt.