Chris o' Kanaird

Chris o' Kanaird - launched 31st October 2009

The Chris o' Kanaird was the prototype St Ayles skiff to be built for the Scottish Fisheries Museum and was the first boat to be part of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project. The build started on the 29th August 2009 and took less than three months to complete with the help several people, in particular Chris Perkins, whose name the boat is in honour of. A trial run took place in Methil harbour on the 25th October to check she was seaworthy and was then officially launched in Anstruther in brilliant sunshine the following Saturday 31st October 2009.

In keeping with the traditional wooden construction the oar fixings are wooden kabes and ropes and stretchers used for footplates. There was something very satisfying on hearing the loud clunk as the oar hits the kabe and the four rowers keep in time. The wooden footplates are adjustable to ensure that the rower, no matter how tall, can move the plate to suit their needs.

Over time the fixings were changed as better methods were introduced to make it easier for new rowers and less cumbersome. A fabulous boat that has sparked the enthusiasm of many communities and rowers.


The Club

The club is made up of a diverse group of people of all ages and is open to both men and women ageing from 18 - 80, or older if you feel up to it. A crew consists of 4 rowers all taking one oar each and the cox who ensures the correct timing is kept and the safety of all on onboard. We have regular training sessions for the members, weather and tide permitting, and welcome interest from local people to come along and have a go and see how much fun this can be.

The Scottish Fisheries Museum

As part of the Scottish Fisheries Museum we have the benefit of being able to use the Museum facilities and have built up a great relationship with the people in the Museum and especially the Boats Club who have been instrumental in the building of our second boat.

Our Achievements

2019 has been a busy year with trophies being won at Greenock regatta and Newhaven Midsummer Challenge with the highlight being the World Championships where we successfully returned with Silver medals for the Under 40 Men & Womens'  and Bronze medals in the Womens' Open and Mix 280+ categories. 

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