Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club proved once again they are a force to be reckoned with as they successfully won the Strangford Skiffie Festival Championship on Sunday 29 July, marking it the third year in a row that the local club has won the overall prize.
Spectators gathered at Delamont County Park to witness an exhilarating day of Skiffie races on Sunday as local and international teams competed in a variety of heats. Over 300 competitors took part in a packed day of rowing races, encompassing 21 race categories. Competitors of all ages raced in a bid to take home the grand prize for their rowing club. In the end, Dundrum cemented themselves as the team to beat as they fought tirelessly to maintain their winning streak for 2018.
Andrew Boyd, Chair of Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club said: “We are absolutely delighted to win the Strangford Skiffie Championships for a third consecutive year. The team have been working extra hard for the past few months and this is a testament to of their dedication and effort.
“Our team comprises of so many different age groups and this event brings us all together as a community. It certainly wasn’t easy this year, as the fantastic teams from other rowing clubs put up an intense fight. We are already looking ahead to next year’s event to try and make it a fourth year in a row!”
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chair, Councillor Mark Murnin, said: “Congratulations to the winners and to all those who took part. It was truly fantastic to see the public flock to Delamont County Park, despite the weather, to enjoy these exciting races.
“The Skiffie Festival is a fantastic event and creates huge community spirit. The beautiful Strangford Lough is a picture-perfect location for the championships, as families and friends watched the action whilst enjoying the packed festival of food, drink and fun.”
The Skiffie festival was the first of five events in the Giant Adventures summer programme, a series of family festivals run by Newry Mourne and Down District Council to showcase the region’s breath-taking mountains, coastline and mythical stories.
Next up this summer is Footsteps in the Forest on 4-5 August at Slieve Gullion, Festival of Flight in Newcastle on 11 August, followed Wake the Giant in Warrenpoint on the 18-19 August, with the City of Merchant in Newry in the autumn.
Further information about the events can be found at:
