Messing About in Boats

The John Gardner Chapter of the TSCA and the New London Currach Rowers participated in the Messing About in Boats Day at the UConn Avery Point Campus. The event was sponsored by the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve and provided an opportunity for UConn students, faculty, and staff to enjoy a variety of water activities.

The JGTSCA offered participants the opportunity to take a traditional dory for a row. The boats are “Hybrid Avery Point Dories” modeled after traditional Grand Banks fishing dories. They are built lighter and are set up for “Gunkholing” perfect for exploring the estuarine coastal areas found here at the mouth of the Thames and Poquonnock rivers.

The New London Currach Rowers allowed attendees to give Irish rowing a try with a traditional Irish currach. The design of a currach is 2,000 years old, built for fishing in the wild Irish Sea and northern Atlantic, and is now mainly used competitively.