- Northern Ireland's Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club successfully defend world championship title
- Record-breaking 78 clubs and 2,000+ rowers participated across five days of competition
- Event reinforces Stranraer's position as premier venue for major water sports events
Stranraer Water Sports Association is riding on the crest of a wave following the success of SkiffieWorlds 2025. The world championships of coastal rowing reached a spectacular conclusion on Saturday, the hottest day of the year, under blue skies and on the calm waters of Loch Ryan in south west Scotland. The summer weather brought a celebratory finish to SkiffieWorlds 2025 - the largest gathering of St Ayles coastal rowing boats in history.
Northern Ireland's Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club successfully defended their world championship title, with Eastern Amateur Coastal Rowing Club from Edinburgh runners-up, in the premier competition that saw a record-breaking 78 clubs and more than 2,000 rowers participate from across four continents. Dundrum’s rowers took gold in eight of the 24 classes, as well as two silvers and five bronze, while Eastern secured two golds, eight silvers and two bronze.
Commenting on social media, Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club said: “So proud of our club this week. Taking the World trophy home once is an achievement but to do it 4 times in a row is something else. We are delighted to be bringing the trophy home (again!) but have to acknowledge the phenomenal competition and community this week. You’re all amazing!”
The triennial world championship returned to Stranraer following the town's highly successful hosting debut in 2019, with teams travelling from Australia, USA, Canada, South Africa, and the Netherlands, alongside strong representation from across the UK and Ireland. The top placed international team was WSV Woudrichem, from the Netherlands, in third place, winning gold in three classes.
Despite challenging weather conditions at the start of the event, the championship demonstrated both the resilience of the sport and the exceptional suitability of Loch Ryan as a venue for major water sports competitions.
Max Berends, Chair of St Ayles Skiff International, said: "As a blueprint for SkiffieWorlds I'd say Stranraer is the ideal location. It runs very smoothly, the volunteers and the community are tremendous, and it all comes together to create an event that is ideal. Even with the challenging weather at the start of the event, we were able to reschedule easily because of the scale of the water. This sport is all about health and community, and many rowers have commented on the warmth of the Stranraer community. It's just the whole package that comes together here."
Wendi Cuffe, Trustee of Stranraer Water Sports Association, who organised SkiffieWorlds, said: "It's been amazing. I'm in absolute awe that these people have come from so far to fill our beach and to race on Loch Ryan. It's been absolutely fantastic. All the clubs have been very kind, they've complimented us on our organisation, on our communication and this week has exceeded all my hopes and expectations for this event.
"The fact that the Stranraer community backed us 100% has been the biggest part of it. They believed in us; they believed our water sports association could deliver this and they supported us to do it. We are so grateful to our community."
Topher Dawson of Scottish Coastal Rowing commented: "SkiffieWorlds 2025 really has been a memorable success. Safe water with a whole range of weather possibilities, good accommodation infrastructure, a traffic free shore promenade and beach, and lots of parking are tremendous assets for a water sports venue. There is plenty of space for competitors to park, rig boats, park boats by the shore, and get access to the water. The weather we experienced and the great local hospitality were a wonderful bonus."
Harry Harbottle, Chair of Stranraer Water Sports Association, added: "The hard work and passion that has gone into SkiffieWorlds 2025 from our volunteers, our community, and our partners has been extraordinary. This event has proven beyond doubt how well-suited Stranraer and Loch Ryan are to hosting major water sports events. We are tremendously excited about working with local and national agencies and organisations to ensure Stranraer can fully capitalise on its incredible potential as a water sports destination."
Other notable achievements included three gold medals for Golspie Rowing Club, who placed fifth, and two golds for North Berwick who placed sixth. Two golds apiece for Sketrick Coastal Rowing Club and Ardglass Coastal Rowing Club, plus five medals for Strangford, cemented the dominance of teams from Northern Ireland in the sport, with four out of the top eight placed clubs hailing from NI. Other notable achievements included the first ever medal for Eskmuthe Coastal Rowing Club whose U19 mixed crew, who won silver, included 18 year old Adam Wilson, a relation of rowing heroine Grace Darling. Strathpeffer took home gold in the 60+ mixed class, while St Ayles won gold in the women’s 280 class – a category in which the combined ages of all four rowers must be at least 280 years, for example 4 x 70 year olds.
Competitors from across the globe were unanimous in their praise for both the venue and organisation. Carla from the Netherlands said: "It is incredible, perfect, tremendous organisation from SkiffieWorlds 2025 and we all enjoy it very much. Loch Ryan and Stranraer is our favourite venue - this is the place!"
Neville Ray from runners-up Eastern Amateur Coastal Rowing Club highlighted the sport's inclusive nature: "This sport deserves this level of professional competition and quality. It's been so inspiring watching our youngest member at just 13 years old compete alongside our oldest members in their 70s. We are a community here and we support each other."
Sean Smith from Newhaven praised the venue's exceptional suitability: "With the width of the loch and it being so sheltered, you can get 15 rowing lanes here, with loads of space to practice before and after races. I honestly couldn't think of a better place for this sort of event."
Mike Shoot from Prestwick Coastal Rowing Club captured the community spirit: "We're more of a social club rather than competitive, but everyone who wanted to row in the world championships got a chance. It was just a brilliant, lovely week."
In addition to the rowing, the championship featured a shoreside festival in Agnew Park, including live music, family activities, an artisan market, theatre performances, a wellbeing hub and nature-based activities that attracted thousands of spectators throughout the week.
The event built upon the success of SkiffieWorlds 2019, which generated between £3.5 million and £4 million for the local economy. Early indications suggest the 2025 event, with its increased participation, has delivered even greater economic benefits to Stranraer and the wider region.
SkiffieWorlds 2025 took place against the backdrop of ongoing construction of Stranraer's new £6.7 million Water Sports Hub, scheduled to open in summer 2026. The facility will further establish Stranraer as a major water sports destination and training hub.
The next major event to be hosted by Stranraer Water Sports Association is the Scottish Fin and Foil Championships, a three-day wind sports racing event for Windsurfers, Wing foilers, IQFOIL (hydrofoil) and Race board windsurfers, which takes place from 8-10th August. The event is unique in the UK and is supported by RYA Scotland and the UKWA (UK Windsurfing Association) and will host an estimated 80-100 sailors and their colourful sails and boards on Agnew Park.
Stranraer’s hosting of SkiffieWorlds 2025 was supported by funding from Dumfries and Galloway Council, EventScotland, South of Scotland Enterprise, Kilgallioch Community Fund and The Galloway Association of Glasgow, with local company EcoGen serving as headline sponsor.
