Lambay Rowing Challenge 2019

On a cloudy and blustery day on September 28^th 2019 the Lambay Rowing Challenge 2019, organised by members of Fingal Rowing Club, hosted over 28 teams, where 250 attendees including six international crews from the USA and Netherlands ascended on Rush Sailing Club for what is fast becoming known as one of the toughest rowing events in Europe!

The day began with teams registering, loading their boats to the shore and a safety briefing. Then oars up and out onto the water in wood skiffs and various other rowing boats for a 19 km row around Lambay Island.

Families and friends came shouting their support from the harbour wall as teams made their journey out the estuary – creating a great atmosphere of excitement and sport.

#LambayLegend

With a wind of 25 knots, and a swell over 1.5 meters high this was no easy task, but a challenge of true grit and determination. Rush Sailing Club & local volunteers supported the race in their own private boats ensuring that crews were safe and motivated for their time on the water. Over 70% of the teams participating were female this year, showing a rising tide of female rowers in this sport.

Usually 5 persons per boat ( including a cox), the average duration for this race is around 1hr 26mins, but with changing currents and winds on the day, teams had quite a task to get home, some teams were on the water for over 3 hrs but determined to get over the finishing line, they were true Lambay Legends in our eyes!

Lambay Whiskey Proudly Sponsor The Lambay Rowing Challenge

The race winners on the day were broken into two categories:

Skiffs & Traditional Wooden Boats

1^st Men St Patricks Rowing Club
1^st Ladies Fingal Rowing Club
1^st Mixed Stella Maris Rowing Club

Celtic Long Boats, One Design & Modern Fiberglass

1^st Men The Airport Police & Fire Service Rowing Club
1^st Ladies Vartry Rowing Club
1^st Mixed Inver Copula Rowing Club

All teams were awarded Lambay Challenge medals by special invited guest on the day, leading World (Irish) Rowing Champion, Sanita Puspure. This day was also a family festival in the afternoon with a kid’s treasure hunt, face painting, and Magician while the race was taking place.

Afterwards as the gentle winds of the evening soothed the spirit of our rowers a BBQ, live music, dancing, and delicious Lambay Whiskey cocktails kept the evening going and plans for next year were already being hatched. Lambay Whiskey was delighted to be the premium sponsor for the second year, supporting this amateur family sporting event in North County Dublin. Keoghs Farm and Deep RiverRock were also sponsors on the day and we look forward to the Lambay Challenge 2020!