Royal Chester’s Caledonian Challenge

 

In less than two weeks time, an intrepid team of 62 rowers and a support team from the Royal Chester Rowing Club will undertake the gruelling Caledonian Crossing Challenge.

The Crossing will see a flotilla of inland racing boats depart from Fort William on the West coast of Scotland on August 11th, beginning a two-day, 55-mile adventure along the Caledonian Canal to Inverness.

Three crews – ‘RC Invincible’, ‘RC Intrepid’ and ‘RC Endeavour’ – will tackle tranquil canal sections alongside the rough waters of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and the infamous Loch Ness.

The crews can expect to be rowing for over 8 hours a day, with the flotilla of 8 person and 4 person boats made up of oarsmen and oarswomen of all ages and abilities.

Royal Chester Rowing’s Dee-based neighbours, Grosvenor Rowing Club, have generously donated their two ‘Explorer’ touring fours to the cause, which could come in particularly handy on Loch Ness’s 23 miles of choppy, unbroken water.

The crews are undertaking the Caledonian Crossing Challenge in aid of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, and The Royal Chester Junior Trust.

For more information about the Caledonian Crossing, visit the official website.

If you would like to participate in a similar challenge, consider British Rowing’s Explore Rowing Programme. There are lots of fun and varied challenges for the beginner through to the experienced rower. For more information, visit www.explorerowing.org.