In Shetland, rowing is more than just a sport. It’s a community affair, with camaraderie, competition and a shared love of being out on the water.
Local rowers made national headlines in September with phenomenal performances in London’s Great River Race. But there is every opportunity to experience yoal rowing closer to home, on Shetland's clear, open waters.
Andrew Anderson, a seasoned rower for the Lerwick team, began rowing in 2001 after returning to Shetland from his studies on the mainland. He was drawn to the sport by his love of getting out on the water, and the sense of escape and togetherness it provides.
He explains: “I find it [rowing] quite calming. You see everything from a completely different perspective when you're off in the water. And there’s six of you, all doing the same thing. So, you have to row in time and in unison. But that whole perspective shift, getting away from the land and onto the sea, seeing things differently – it’s just brilliant.”
Rowing has many benefits, extending beyond mental well-being to physical health and developing a greater connection with the environment.
"It's good exercise, too," Andrew notes. “And when you're rowing, you're close to the water. There are different conditions; sometimes it's rougher, sometimes it's calmer. And you see everything, all that's going on in the water.”
Community and family are at the heart of Shetland rowing. Andrew’s family is a good example, as his wife Anne-Lise (who started rowing in 1997) and his daughter Astrid are also keen rowers. A shared love of rowing brings families together, fostering a supportive environment that spans generations. "Rowing is really family-oriented and community-oriented, and it’s sociable," Andrew says.
The competitive spirit is also a significant draw. Andrew shares his experiences participating in races, where the adrenaline and the collective team effort make each race memorable.
"As soon as that race starts... you just do everything you can. You row as hard as you can for five or six minutes. And it's pretty tough, but there's something really enjoyable about that."
One of the more challenging races mentioned by Andrew was the recent Thames River Race, a 21.6-mile test of endurance that presented Shetland rowers with unique challenges due to its length and its markedly different rowing conditions. Despite these challenges, the Shetland rowers performed admirably, a testament to their skills and teamwork.
Trish Reid rows for Burra and was in the 'mixed crew' team at the Great River Race. She describes the experience of coming first in the category as “unbelievable”.
She recalls: “I kept finding myself in tears. The whole build-up to it was huge, including waiting for an hour in the boat before the starting gun was even fired”.
Ultimately, the event exceeded Trish’s expectations. She says: “All I wanted to do was to beat Burra’s previous time.” But the team found themselves buoyed by the support from the crowds.
“We saw at least five groups of Shetland flags, and hearing people shouting for Shetland – even for Burra – was just amazing."
The best bit about rowing is going on the boat, getting the oars in your hand and just listening to the oars in the water. Your head clears and you think of nothing but rowing.
A seasoned rower, Trish is also an experienced coach and loves seeing youngsters develop confidence on the water.
She explains: “Rowing is a very inclusive sport. Races are often just six minutes long, so you don’t need to have that much stamina. One kid said to me after he’d tried rowing for the first time: ‘I didn’t think I was good at any sport. But I think I’m good at rowing’.”
Trish hopes that news of Burra’s victory will help to encourage more Shetlanders to take up the sport. She says: “For me, the best bit about rowing is going on the boat, getting the oars in your hand and just listening to the oars in the water. Your head clears and you think of nothing but rowing.”
Like Trish, Andrew is keen for the sport to attract more participants. From organized taster days by the Lerwick Boating Club to active engagement with schools, there are continuous efforts to inspire the next generation of rowers. "If it can do anything to try and encourage more folk into rowing or trying yoals... that would be the biggest achievement," he says.
Rowing in Shetland offers more than just a workout; it provides a connection to tradition, an escape from life’s daily pressures and a way to make lifelong friends. Even if you’ve never rowed before, you can be sure of a warm welcome from the local rowing fraternity. And you might just find that taking the oars and hitting the water is the perfect way to see a new side of Shetland.
If you’d like to try rowing in Shetland, find out more here.
