Championship performance sees Eskmuthe Rowing Club ranked 13th in the World
Musselburgh’s Eskmuthe Rowing Club has returned from the St Ayles Skiff World Championships in Stranraer with its strongest ever results – including the club’s first-ever World Championships medal.
The club finished 15th in the world, up from 23rd place in 2022, and reached a record nine world finals across a range of age categories. Held over five days on Loch Ryan, SkiffieWorlds 2025 featured 79 clubs and more than 700 crews, making it the largest international gathering of traditional coastal rowing boats to date.
The headline result for Eskmuthe was a silver medal for the Under 19 Mixed crew, marking the first time the club’s colours have appeared on the World Championship podium.
Gaynor Allen, Club Captain and cox of the medal-winning U19 crew, said:
“Our young rowers were incredible. They trained hard, stayed focused and delivered when it mattered. This silver medal is a huge moment for them – and I hope it inspires more young people across East Lothian to give coastal rowing a try. It’s a sport that builds confidence, teamwork and fitness – and we’d love to see new faces at the club.”
Alongside the medal-winning juniors, Eskmuthe’s Open Women and 50+ Mixed crews both finished 6th in the world, while the 50+ Men came 7th, setting a new club record with a 2km time of 12:10.2 in their heat. Crews in the 40+ Women, Open Mixed, Open Men, and 60+ Women events also made their finals.
Some events were switched to time trials due to poor weather on the opening day of the regatta, with Eskmuthe also securing top-20 finishes in the 280+ Men, Under 40 Women, 280+ Mixed, Under 40 Men, and Under 40 Mixed categories.
David Lee, Eskmuthe’s Regatta Officer, said:
“This is a historic moment for Eskmuthe. To come away from a world championship with a medal – and to do so in a youth event – shows just how far we’ve come as a club. Everyone involved, from our junior rowers to our most experienced crews, gave it everything on the water and supported one another brilliantly off it too.
Simon Francis, Club Chair, added:
“To go from being a small community club to one competing at the sharp end of the biggest races in the world is something really special. We’re proud of the results, but even prouder of the team spirit and resilience shown throughout what was a physically and emotionally demanding week.”
Eskmuthe trains out of Fisherrow Harbour. For more information, visit
https://www.eskmutherowingclub.org.uk/
