SkiffieWorlds is a week-long festival of coastal rowing which promises to be a feast for the senses as the calm waters of Loch Ryan become the stage for the largest gathering of St Ayles skiffs in history.
When you arrive at Stranraer's waterfront, you'll be greeted by a kaleidoscope of colour as 79 hand-built wooden skiffs and over 2,000 rowers from across four continents gather to compete. Teams will be traveling from Australia, USA, Canada, and South Africa, alongside several teams from the Netherlands and a strong contingent from across the UK and Ireland.
The championship racing will be visible from multiple vantage points along the shore, with large screens displaying live drone footage and professional commentary. This spectator-friendly event ensures you won't miss any of the action during the six days of competitive racing.
Here are some highlights to look out for!
Opening Ceremony – Sunday 6th July
SkiffieWorlds kicks off with a spectacular opening ceremony on Sunday 6th July, featuring a mass 'row-in' of all participating skiffs. The sight of so many brightly coloured skiffs approaching the shore together, representing their clubs and countries with international flags flying, was truly spectacular in 2019. With a larger number of participating teams in 2025, this is sure to be one of the highlights of the championship, setting the stage for a week of friendly competition and community celebration.
Daft Duck Day – Date to be confirmed
A tradition at Stranraer regattas, Daft Duck Day offers a lighter side to the championship. Watch as clubs decorate their skiffs in outlandish themes, don creative costumes, and participate in fun, light-hearted races. This day celebrates the joy and community spirit at the heart of coastal rowing, providing plenty of laughs and photo opportunities for spectators.
Shoreside Festival at Agnew Park – 11am till late every day
While the racing provides thrilling competition on the water, the shoreside festival at Agnew Park ensures there's never a dull moment on land. Throughout the week, you can enjoy live music performances, a wellbeing hub offering activities like seated yoga and sound baths, family-friendly entertainment and workshops, nature-based activities, an artisan market featuring local crafts, food and drink, plus opportunities to meet the rowers and see the beautiful handcrafted skiffs up close.
Championship Finals – Saturday 12th July
The excitement builds throughout the week, culminating in the championship finals on Saturday. The atmosphere will be electric as crews battle for world champion status across multiple categories. The day concludes with the crowning of the overall champion, celebrated with a closing ceremony.
Plan Your Visit
Join us this July as Stranraer welcomes the world to Scotland's beautiful shores for this celebration of coastal rowing. Full programme details and the championship schedule will be published on our website in June. Meanwhile, you can keep up to date with all the latest SkiffieWorlds news by following us on Facebook.
