The Tribesmen Head of the River (THOR) committee has set an ambitious vision to transform their annual event into a full-scale rowing festival. This expansion includes maintaining the traditional flat-water head race on Saturday while introducing a new coastal rowing event on Sunday. The first steps toward this vision took place on Sunday, March 16th, on Galway Bay, thanks to the efforts of David Hussey, Coastal Director at Rowing Ireland, and Joe Cantillon of Rowfit/Swift Racing.
The initiative had two main objectives: to provide flat-water rowers an opportunity to experience coastal rowing and to showcase the sport to the public along Galway’s promenade. With up to 15,000 people walking along the Salthill promenade that afternoon, the event successfully generated interest and curiosity among spectators.
David Hussey and Maeve played key roles in ensuring safety, with experienced coxes guiding the crews and two safety ribs accompanying the boats. Two coxed quad sculls (4X+) took to the water, each crewed by rowers trying coastal rowing for the first time. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many enjoying the challenge and thrill of the open-water experience. Meanwhile, onshore volunteers fielded numerous questions from passersby intrigued by the event.
Pat Boyle, Chairman of the THOR25 committee, expressed his gratitude to those involved in making the event a success. “I would like to thank Rowing Ireland for their support in making this happen. Thanks to David Hussey, Rowing Ireland Coastal Director, and Joe Cantillon of Rowfit/Swift Racing for providing nothing but advice and encouragement, ensuring the event was successfully and safely conducted. We hope the seeds have been sown to develop coastal rowing in the west of Ireland.”
With this promising start, the Tribesmen Head of the River committee looks forward to further integrating coastal rowing into the event and growing its presence in the region.
If your club would like to try coastal rowing, please contact Joe Cantillon of Rowfit/Swift Racing at info@rowfit.ie or visit www.rowfit.ie/swift/ for more information.
