Patrick Groot

Members of the Warrnambool St Ayles Skiff Club started out whaleboat rowing and we have called ourselves the Stroke Team because some of us were members of the Warrnambool Base Hospital’s Stroke Team. Since 2011 we have promoted the National Stroke Foundation’s F.A.S.T. stroke awareness message and plan to continue this fine tradition.
So in short we are all about promoting the health and well-being benefits of rowing with a stroke prevention twist. We’ve chosen to ‘grab an oar and get involved’ in the St Ayles Skiff phenomenon to do this, but first we have to raise funds, buy the kits, build the boats and get them on the water.

We hope to eventually replicate this Scottish scene on our own Lady Bay or Hopkins River at Warrnambool.

The first St Ayles Skiff kit will cost $7500 and with some funds already raised our crowdfunding target of $10000 will cover the cost of the construction of a trailer that will transport 2 skiffs as well. Here club president, Larry Abrahams shows members his own clinker under construction in his loft. Hopefully, soon we'll be putting our first St Ayles Skiff together at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.

We have already overcome the most significant obstacle which is where to undertake our endeavour. As already stated we also have the expertise of wooden boat building experience to rely on within our club membership. Flagstaff Hill boat builders will also be on hand. During the lead up to this campaign we have also steadily recruited additional members. We therefore think we have the numbers to complete the task.
The one remaining component to success is the raising of the fund target of $10,000. We have developed a network of over 4000 people and when we launch we plan an extensive media campaign in Warrnambool and beyond.

We are also interested in more club members of either gender and from across the age spectrum. All enquiries should be directed to: [email protected]