Distance: 10. 2 miles
Average Speed: 4.1 miles/hr
Average Stroke Rate: 26/min
Time: 2hrs 39mins 9secs
But this doesn’t tell the full tale. We set off at 10:50am, The sea conditions looked calm with a light westerly off-shore breeze. There was a low cloud cover, giving Coquet Island a very distance appearance on the horizon. Personally I was nervous, mainly due to the fact I’d been out of action for a couple of weeks, and the distance seemed epic to a mere sea rowing novice like myself. Toward the shore there was a very mild swell, nothing concerning.
Of course the rowers can’t see where they are going, distance achieved being based purely on the disappearing boat house. Everyone managed to resist the child like comments “are we there yet?” or even worse “I need a wee!” However, 500 metres in Dave did get in “the bad news is, it’s not getting any closer.”
Approximately an hour in and with the sea swell increasing (coming in side on), making rowing fun but slightly more challenging, we had our first break. Clothing was shed (just outer garments), drinks were taken and we had our first crew changes. Off we set again getting ever closer to Coquet Island. We passed a fishing vessel reeling in its catch. I do wonder what the fisherman think as they see a Skiff rowing past out at sea – but this is the ex-city dweller in me, not yet fully appreciating the ways of coastal communities.
Another very brief stop, a quick assessment of the conditions, a unanimous vote to continue on around the island, and off we went again.
As we approached and rounded the eastern side of the Island, seals galore popped to investigate what was intruding into their territory. Beautiful, inquisitive faces everywhere! The young ones getting the closest. The larger seals showing off with rolls and dives all around us. This was the ideal time to take a lunch break whilst bobbing about amongst the wildlife, also taking in excellent views of the island’s bay and lighthouse. Even the clouds had started to lift, giving the island a brighter more resplendent look.
After a break of approximately 15 minutes, it was time to set off again. During this initial period of leaving Coquet Island behind, I was given a history lesson on Abbess St Enflaeda – Queen of Northumbria and the monastary of Coquet Island. As an history buff, I really did find this interesting ( it was hard to show this as I was trying to row and listen simultaneously – a man thing!).
The swell remained, but rowing was good and everyone seemed to be keeping up a good, strong and consistent effort. Just past one of those great big buoys that are anchored out by the island and that I know nothing about, we had another crew change, a precarious manoeuvre in a rolling skiff, but skilfully done!
On we rowed, with Coquet Island disappearing into the distance, the boat house getting closer – Alnmouth coming into view on our port side. Dave took over as cox to guide us onto shore. As bow, I was given the usual instruction to be first out to secure the skiff. As Dave gave the command, what I hadn’t taken into account, was 10.2 miles and two and a half hours of rowing. I keenly jumped out of the boat and very nearly collapsed like a jelly into the sea! My legs, my thighs had decided to act independently of the rest of my body. It took a few seconds to regain command of them! To compound matters, Dave then sent me up the beach to recover the trailer. I really must have looked like a ‘drunken sailor’ wobbling up the beach! But the row was successfully completed in what I believe is a reasonably good time.
This row was a real privilege. 12 months ago, when I moved to Northumberland, I would never have thought I’d get an opportunity to row around Coquet Island. Well done to all our crew on the Wednesday row. And thank you to everyone at Alnmouth Community Rowing for making me feel so welcome and for all your guidance and advice.
And after a summer of tricky seas a second crew had the opportunity to retrace these steps the following day.
