Delayed start to coastal rowing event
Some 200 rowers from 79 clubs had signed up for the event including the likes of Eskmuthe from Fisherrow and Portobello's Eastern Rowing Club.
Others travelled from much further afield, notably Australia.
However, organisers had little alternative but to call a halt as a northerly wind blew directly down the eight miles of Loch Ryan making it difficult for the St Ayles coastal rowing boats to launch off the beach.
Topher Dawson of Scottish Coastal Rowing, one of the Chief Umpires of SkiffieWorlds 2025, said: 'We are obviously very disappointed to miss scheduled racing, but safety comes first and we are rescheduling all the categories of racing across the rest of the week when the weather forecast is excellent.
'This is the biggest ever skiff event, and due to the size of it, rearranging the schedule is like a gigantic three dimensional jigsaw puzzle so that people don't have to race too many times in one day.
'Accepting that the weather is unpredictable is part of coastal rowing, and you just have to take it as it comes.'
Stranraer is hosting the largest gathering of St Ayles coastal rowing boats in history, with a record-breaking 79 clubs competing.
The coastal rowing event takes place from 6-12 July with 2,000 rowers competing with teams travelling from as far as Australia, USA, Canada, and South Africa, alongside several teams from the Netherlands and a strong contingent from across the UK and Ireland.
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Photo Colin Tennant
Photo Colin Tennant
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