St Ayles skiffs have been transformational for both Stranraer and her people. Formerly the main ferry port to Northern Ireland, Stranraer faced major economic decline when the ferries – and the economic impact of the ferry traffic – moved further up the coast to Cairnryan.
But what the ferries left behind was a huge expanse of clear, sheltered water right next to a town extremely well equipped for visitors – in short it was the perfect venue for hosting major water sports events, like SkiffieWorlds.
Stranraer and its people shone during SkiffieWorlds 2019, welcoming visitors from Australia, SouthAfrica, Canada, Tasmania, the USA and mainland Europe to this small town on the south west edge of Scotland. Now the town is looking ahead to hosting this major event for a second time as the planning for SkiffieWorlds 2025 gets underway.
Stranraer’s history with SkiffieWorlds is an example of the community-building power of St Ayles skiffs, in fact, the town won the right to host the event before it had even started working on its own skiff! Planning for the major regatta, and building its own boathouse and skiffs, brought the whole community together. Perhaps most importantly, it has made Stranraer’s sea loch, Loch Ryan, accessible to many local people for the very first time.
Former economic development professional Wendi Cuffe, now a Trustee of the Stranraer Water Sports Association, said:
“In total around 1,500 people from our community – about 10% of the town’s population - have been involved in building, rowing or volunteering on the skiff project. For many of them it has, quite simply, changed their life.
“One of our older volunteers freely admits that his chequered past and recent retirement put him at risk of alcohol dependency, anti-social behaviour and relationship breakdown. He heard about the St Ayles Skiff Project and popped into one of the open days to learn a bit more about it, pushed by his wife he reluctantly joined the build team. He describes that moment as being ‘life changing’. He still enjoys a few pints but spends four days a week and many evenings in the summer helping with the build and repair programme. He rows , coxes and joins the club at many regattas and events , always willing to help with junior members and support new builders when they join the team.
“A few generations younger, a lad recently released from prison, and considered at risk of repeat offending and drug dependency, came to the boat house with his support worker. At first he was very quiet, just watched and listened. By his third visit he was assisting an experienced builder, a few months later he was confidently using tools and undertaking build tasks himself. He no longer needed a support worker and has since completed his level 2 power boat training course.”
Skiffs, and SkiffieWorlds in particular, has also changed the perception of Stranraer itself, from one of economic deprivation to one of significant potential. The 2019 world championship resulted in widespread media coverage and warm words about Loch Ryan’s obvious suitability as a water sports event destination.
An impact report on SkiffieWorlds identified a ‘huge opportunity to build on the events success to further develop Stranraer and Loch Ryan as a leading water sport and water based leisure destination’. A feasibility study to explore the water based activity infrastructure development followed, and now Stranraer Water Sports Association has secured multi-million pound funding to build a world class Water Sports Hub.
For Wendi, who encouraged Stranaer to embrace the community building potential of St Ayles Skiffs almost ten years ago, the satisfaction of seeing Stranraer people appreciate the potential of their loch is evident. She added:
“For too long Stranraer was talked down, but we have the opportunity, now, to unlock its incredible potential. This is one of the most accessible, sheltered and unspoilt sea lochs in Scotland, and its proximity to the town provides an opportunity for the local community to be very actively involved in deciding how to make the most of their local, natural assets.
“The real impact of St Ayles skiffs on Stranraer is the community building that has resulted from a coming together of local people, local businesses, the stunning natural amphitheatre of Loch Ryan and the accessibility of both the boat build and of the rowing experience. St Ayles skiffs are now embedded within our local community and we are seeing interest in boat building and rowing soar.”