Ayr coastal rowers set to hit the water of Venice Lagoon

The club has entered three skiffs into the famous Volgalonga festival, which takes place on the Venice Lagoon.

The 18-strong team made up of members from Ayr, Cromarty, Carrick and Sketrick will take to the water alongside 2,000 other boats.

Club founder Geoff Turner says it was an opportunity they could not pass up, after originally intending to make the trip prior to the pandemic.

He said: “It all came about a few years ago. We were over at a regatta in Holland and some of the people there were going to Venice the following week.

“We were getting things sorted to enter the following year and then covid struck, which put an end to our plans.

“The club has been expanding in recent years since we started launching from Ayr Harbour, so we thought it was a good time to head to Venice.”

Geoff said the festival is not an organised race, but just being amongst the city’s historic walls will be a thrill.

He explained: “The festival started off as a protest about speedboats using the lagoon around 46 years ago, and it now takes place every year.

“It’s not a race, and you have six hours to get round the course with no other boats apart from water taxis allowed in the lagoon whilst its on.

“We’ve spoken to a lot of people who have done it before and they say that the atmosphere is fantastic.”

Geoff reveals that the rowing club is going from strength to strength, and is calling on anyone interested to get involved.

He added: “We do short stints up and down the river but have also competed in races on the Great Glen, Loch Ness and abroad.

“We have a hardcore of around 15 people who like to row regularly, and another 20 or so who come from time to time.

“We’re based in South Harbour Street and are always looking for more members to come along and enjoy themselves.

“Even when the weather is now the best, we can row all the way up the river to the college and back.”

To find out more about the club, go to www.facebook.com/AyrCoastalRowing.