News and Other Information

2007 Year End Report

2007 has been a very active and successful year for the club. To accommodate the various groups the boat was out three nights a week.

Last year it was proposed we encourage the primary age children. As a result 7 different children have rowed regularly for half an hour each Tuesday and all have been keen and made good progress. Thanks to Ian Robinson and Maggie Bendix for their support. Under 16’s boys were a runaway success as can be seen from their array of trophies. They rowed for an hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays to fit around their other activities. They worked hard and went from strength to strength, coming first at Whalsay, Yell, Trondra and then the Championships. They also won the league with 117 points (best of 5), Lerwick was 2^nd with 103, and Aith 3^rd with 97. The boys were motivated and competitive with commendable group spirit. They did all their own organisation and showed great consideration, ensuring that all group members got a chance to row, at least once, in a regatta. Seasoned rowers who have watched them say what fine rowers they are. Special mention for Ryan and Euan who rowed the Brae to Aith - a real marathon which they did in very good time, and were complimented by all the adults in the crew.

Under 21 men started very well with a very strong and competitive team. They came in first at Collafirth and won the trophy you see. At Bigton they had a few problems then seemed to lose heart and practices tailed off. However the under 16’s started rowing as under 21’s and because they took second place at Reawick and Trondra, Vidlin u21’s are placed 2^nd in the League table.

The women’s open team rowed in every regatta and came 6^th overall in the league, one place up on last year and also managed a veterans team at one regatta.

The men rowed every Wednesday and with the addition of `dads` from Nesting rowed in enough regattas to make 8^th in the League!

2006 Year End Report

2006 was an extremely busy year. We held a fundraising auction which was very well supported and it was also our year to host a regatta. That, too, went off very well, thanks to all the hard work by the committee and huge support given by the community.

We launched 'Da Orrick' in June and began the process of adjusting equipment and techniques to suit us. Later, we sold the 'Reevik' to a fish merchant in Stonehaven, who is keen to get into yoal racing. His brother bought the old Gulberwick & Quarff yoal.

We welcomed a significant number of new members who have proved not only very able rowers but very loyal and reliable club members. We rowed almost every week with two practices on Tuesdays and we fielded a women's team in all the regattas except the Championships, and were lying 6th in the League at the end of the season. The young women rowed at several regattas too and did well.

New members on the committee are Louise Grains, Jane Jacobs and Ian Robinson.

We all look forward to a successful 2007 season!