The Albany Maritime Foundation has taken delivery of the first of two St Ayles Skiff kits, to be built at the city Boat Shed by a team of volunteers over the next year, for launch at the 2025 City of Albany Maritime Festival.
The official launch of the project by City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks, will take place on 29th June at 10am at the Albany Maritime Foundation Boatshed on the City foreshore.
There will be 6 St Ayles Skiffs and rowing crews attending the event from Augusta, Denmark, Freshwater Bay, South of Perth and there will be an opportunity for members of the public to participate in rowing around the harbour during the morning’s festivities.
The St Ayles Skiff (pronounced St Isles) is a 4 oared rowing boat designed by Australian born boat builder and designer Ian Oughtred and inspired by the traditional Scottish Fair Isle Skiff.
Around 400 have now been built by communities around the world, from Scotland, Canada, France, New Zealand, Ireland and Australia. There are currently 11 in Western Australia – 2 in Augusta, 3 at Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, 1 in Nannup, 2 in Denmark – and wherever they are built, they have rekindled a spirit of community both in the building and the rowing. A stable and seaworthy design they can be built and rowed by people of all skill and fitness levels. As well as providing opportunities for social rowing groups of all ages, regattas, picnics and races are also popular events with St Ayles rowing crews.