The Ayle of Quinte Skiff Club provides a welcoming environment that fosters affordable, accessible recreational coastal rowing that builds health, wellbeing and community for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.  We promote enjoyment of being on the water combined with strong safety protocols on and off the water,  respect, teamwork, volunteerism through shared effort and sportsmanship that supports fitness, fun and friendship.

So…..Have a Go, Learn to Row!

The St. Ayles was designed by renowned small boat designer Iain Oughtred.  Based on the Fair Isle Skiff, the design is a modern interpretation of a traditional boat for Northern waters.  The Scottish Coastal Rowing Association was formed in 2010 to promote the building, rowing, and racing of traditional-style coastal boats (the St Ayles Skiff).  The 10th anniversary video shows the rapid growth of community rowing that has been acheived.

Our club has the only St Ayles Skiffs in Canada and you can read more about our history here.

A full crew consists of 4 sweep rowers and a cox.  Each rower uses a single oar with a fixed seat rowing technique that is demonstrated in the video below.  Our boats have a passenger seat in the bow and can be rowed with a crew of 3 or even 2 rowers.  Adding to the flexibility for crew, especially for longer rows is to carry a 6th crew member in the passenger seat (in the bow) and while on the water, change crew positions in the boat. 

The club is based at Waupoos Marina in Prince Edward County and schedules recreational, training and adventure rows of varying duration.  Our typical week includes recreational rowing for about an hour on most mornings with on-water training sessions to improve rowing technique, develop coxing skills or prepare for competition at least a couple of times a week (many more sessions are scheduled when preparing for the triennial SkiffieWorlds).  A Friday late afternoon row precedes a social gathering at a nearby pub or restaurant.  

Adventure outings involve taking the one or more boats to other waterways, either in the County or further afield.  These outings may be for a half day or for several days which require overnight accommodation.