Stranraer SkiffieWorlds 2025 has been named a national finalist in the Scottish Thistle Awards, in the Outstanding Sporting Event category.
The world championship of St Ayles class coastal rowing, hosted by Stranraer Water Sports Association (SWSA) on Loch Ryan last July, was the largest gathering in the sport's history, with 78 clubs and more than 2,000 rowers taking part. The winner will be announced at the national final in Edinburgh on 20th November, where the other finalists are The Gralloch, the Orkney 2025 International Island Games and Scone Palace International Horse Trials.
The shortlisting follows a busy summer on Loch Ryan. Around 500 people took to the water through SWSA's Summer of Activities programme, which ran windsurfing, paddle sports, rowing, kayaking, sailing and family fun sessions throughout the season. SWSA also ran certified and accredited training courses and supported the delivery of another successful Scottish Fin & Foil Championships.
Some of the summer's activities were supported by the Scottish Government's Summer of Sport initiative. In Dumfries and Galloway, the Council's Active Schools and Community Sport team, working in partnership with sportscotland, secured £344,000 from the initiative to deliver a region-wide programme of free activity over the summer, inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Allan Jenkins, Project Development Manager with SWSA, said:
"What a fantastic summer it's been! We’ve supported around 500 local people to get out on the water, including kids at their first family fun session, folk trying windsurfing for the first time, and people working towards proper qualifications. The feedback has been amazing and seeing so many young people come off the water grinning after their first go at something new has been an absolute joy.
"Huge thanks to the Summer of Sport initiative for supporting some of these activities. The programme has shown what an incredible natural resource Loch Ryan is, and the positive impact water sports can have, by helping people of all ages and abilities get active, learn new skills and connect with other people.”
Wendi Cuffe, Trustee of Stranraer Water Sports Association, added:
"It’s been great to see the local community embracing the water sports opportunities on our doorstep this summer, and finding out last year’s SkiffieWorlds is being recognised at the national final of the Thistle Awards has been the icing on the cake.
“SkiffieWorlds 2025 was delivered by hundreds of volunteers, backed by local businesses, and it welcomed rowers from four continents to our town. Reaching the national final of the Scottish Thistle Awards recognises the scale of what this community achieved. It also strengthens the case we have been making for years, that Stranraer is a serious venue for major water sports events. We look forward to representing our town in Edinburgh in November."