Chief Scout's Award Expedition

Long Distance Skiff Race

 With so many girls rowing this summer and competing for places in crews, we thought it would be a good idea, without really thinking about it, to enter 2 teams - 24 girls - in the Long Distance Skiff race from Dun Laoghaire to the Sean O'Casey Bridge in Dublin. Then when we did think about it, we realised we would need more boats, more crewsavers, more oars, more rescue boats, more cox'ns...more everything!

Both teams did extremely well in tricky breezy conditions. Our teams were the 1st and 2nd female crews to finish and were placed 2nd and 4th overall. All in all, a satisfying end to this year's rowing season.

Our sincere thanks to Eoin Peacock and Steve Singleton of Omega Sub Aqua Club, John Allen of 4th Port (Dodder), Mick Curry of Stella Maris Rowing Club, Brian Leonard, Evelyn Ball and Sean O Seaghdha for their help. Without them, we wouldn't have made it to the starting line.

Sea Scout Regatta

 The Sea Scout Regatta dates back to 1914 when the Wood-Latimer trophy was presented for the first time. While the trophy itself has suffered the ravages of time, the race itself has been run every year without interruption for the past 95 years. The race, for skiff crews under 17, is still known as 'the Wood-Latimer' and is regarded as the premier rowing event for Sea Scout crews.

 Yesterday, the Valkyries' U17 crew added another little bit of history to this prestigious event by becoming the first female crew ever to win the Wood-Latimer.

Congratulations to Emma, Niamh, Gwen and Sarah who rowed a flawless race.  Congratulations also to our U13 crew who won emphatically in difficult weather conditions.  Commiserations to our U14 and U15 crews who due to bad luck - a problem with the turning marks in the case of the U14s and a broken oar in the case of the U15s - were deprived of the opportunity to show what good crews they really are.