Lagan Scullers Club

👀 Record Attempt Imminent 👀

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Lagan Scullers’ very own Rory O’Connor will soon be taking to the high seas in an attempt to break the long standing record for the crossing from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland to Portpatrick in Scotland!

Rory plans to make the attempt sometime between the 17th and 20th of September, depending on the weather. He is raising money for the Neonatal Unit of the Ulster Hospital where his son recently spent some time before getting home to the family! You can support Rory’s effort at the following link:

https://gofund.me/d9ab5a6dd

It’s 22 miles in a straight line and the current record of 3h 35m has been held since 1997 by John Murray, then a schoolboy rower at MCB. John couldn’t be coaxed out of retirement for a re row, but he does wish Rory all the best!

Rory (pictured in the comments below) is a multiple senior Irish champion in sculling boats including twice Men’s Senior sculling champion, an ex Irish international rower and more recently, an Irish champion in coastal sculling which should stand him in good stead! However, Rory will be making the crossing in a “fine” flat water boat which will be faster than a coastal boat but less stable…

It was a group of Lagan Scullers Club members who first made the crossing in “fine” boats back in the 1970s, when Avril Forsythe, Bill Jacques, Dusty Anderson and Stephen Chambers blazed a trail for others to follow.

An VIII also made an attempt but the boat “failed” after 8 hours, proving this is not a crossing for the faint hearted!

Good luck to Rory from all his friends at Lagan Scullers’ Club, we’re with you all the way (from dry land 😀💪🤞)

Donate to The North Channel Crossing Rowing Challenge, organized by Rory O'Connor My name is Rory O'Connor. My son Patrick was born prematurely in June of thi… Rory O'Connor needs your support for The North Channel Crossing Rowing Challenge

A few photos of Tuesday evening’s club night at Lagan Scullers, proving that rowing isn’t all sweat and blisters!

Well done to our Masters Women’s group for flying the LSC flag at the European Masters regatta in Munich this week 👏

As the curtain comes down on another fantastic edition of the Irish rowing championships, it became clear again just how hard it is to win at this event. Nevertheless, it was great to see Lagan Scullers represented this weekend by Jess Smith, Luke Watts (pictured on the right) and some associated athletes now rowing for other clubs.

Irish rowing’s strength in depth continues to grow and it’s great to see LSC being part of that. Here’s to more success in future.

Beautiful weather is leading to hot conditions at the Irish rowing championships in Cork this weekend. Above is a beautiful shot of Jess Smith at the start of the Women’s Club 2 1x time trial. A valiant effort from Jess in the Club 2 and Intermediate 1x time trials but sadly she missed out on qualification for the semi finals.

Luke Watts is through to the final of the Men’s senior 1x in a very strong field, and will race with QUB in a composite crew in the Senior VIII final later this afternoon.

A big GOOD LUCK from all at Lagan Scullers Club to Luke Watts (Senior 1x, and composites with Queens), and Jessica Smith (Inter and Club 2 singles), both racing for LSC, at the Irish Champs in Cork this Friday to Sunday🤞🏽🏆

Weather forecast looks good, it should be a great weekend!

Luke Watts, LSC’s resident kiwi and current fastest sculler is at it again!

This time Luke has won MS1x at Cork Regatta at the National Rowing Centre at Inniscara, a brilliant result 👏💪

Next stop for Luke is Henley Royal Regatta where it will be great to see LSC represented again.

As the dust settles on Monday morning after a brilliant weekend away at Athlone regatta, a couple of final pictures for the archives:
Firstly the victorious LSC WM4x and then some members of the club rehydrating after the event 🍻 👏😀

Some good results on a beautiful (if a little blowy) day at Athlone Regatta.

Suzanne and Siobhan winning their WM2x heat and Jess doing the same in the WM1x 👏👏👏

Next on the racing calendar for LSC is Athlone regatta this weekend, we’ll be represented by our Women’s Masters 4x of Nicki-Ann, Catherine, Caroline and Jess, two WM2x (Nicki-Ann and Caroline plus Suzanne and Siobhan) and Jess and Catherine in the WM1x so good luck to them all.

One last photo from BRC sprints of Joan and Heather who made the final of the WM2x 👏