‘Spitfire’ launches at Loch Doon
‘Spitfire’, a newly built skiff rowing boat, was officially named and launched at Loch Doon recently by Logan from Doon Academy.
Six S3 pupils from Doon Academy had the incredible opportunity to work on the skiff at the end of last academic year and were delighted to help finish, name and launch the boat earlier this week.
Local elected member, Councillor Drew Filson with retired joiner Ian Steele, who is from Bellsbank, were the driving force behind the new boat, which was built using funding from the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, school funds and small grants.
They built the boat along with the pupils and it has now been officially handed over to the newly formed Loch Doon Rowing Club who will operate the boat and offer skiff rowing and racing experiences to young people from the school.
Councillor Drew Filson said: “It was a real pleasure to see the Spitfire officially named and launched at Loch Doon this week. This has been an intergenerational project; we’ve worked with ages ranging from 14yrs to 84yrs and it has been great fun and a lot of hard work.
“Ian and I worked three hours every Saturday and Monday over a three-year period to ensure that Doon Academy now has a 22ft St Ayles Skiff Rowing Boat that can take part in regattas along the Ayrshire coast and at Loch Doon.
“The Spitfire is an addition to the ongoing Water Safety Training carried out by the Council, with our community planning partners, every year at Loch Doon hosting 250 pupils from across East Ayrshire, which builds our young people’s confidence around water.
"I can’t thank everyone enough who has supported the project, and Ian and I over the last three years. We are all looking forward to new adventures at sea and at Loch Doon.”
Council contractor Magnus Electrical generously donated life-jackets and radios for use by Doon Academy.