Troon Coastal Rowing Club
Trustees’ Annual Report and Review
SCIO No. SC053973
For the period from 13 February 2025 to 30[th] September 2025
Chair’s Foreword
It gives me great pleasure to present the first annual report of Troon Coastal Rowing Club SCIO. This has been a significant year for the organisation: a year in which we moved into a new charitable structure while continuing to build on the energy, commitment and goodwill that have shaped the club since its earliest days. What stands out most clearly is that our impact goes far beyond rowing itself. Through training, volunteering, competition, maintenance, partnership working and friendship, the club continues to create opportunities for people to connect, contribute and thrive. I would like to thank every member, volunteer, supporter and partner who has helped make this possible. Their commitment has ensured that TCRC enters its next chapter with confidence, ambition and a strong sense of purpose.
Building community, promoting wellbeing, and preserving coastal rowing traditions in Troon.
Organisation at a Glance
Troon Coastal Rowing Club is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation dedicated to advancing participation in sport and recreation through coastal rowing. This report marks the charity’s first year as a SCIO and reflects both the strength of its community roots and its ambitions for long-term public benefit.
Legal name: Troon Coastal Rowing Club SCIO (SC053973)
Also known as: Troon Coastal Rowing Club (TCRC)
Registered office:
9 Yorke Road Troon KA10 6EW
Club Secretary: Troonrowsecy@virginmedia.com
Website: https://trooncoastalrowing.org.uk
Our Story
Troon Coastal Rowing Club SCIO was incorporated on 13 February 2025, establishing a new charitable structure built on more than a decade of community effort, volunteer commitment and sporting achievement. The club’s foundations date back to late 2010, when a group of local people came together to create Troon Coastal Rowing Club. With support from organisations including South Ayrshire Council, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Sir Boyd Tunnock CBE, the club built its first St Ayles Skiff, Marr Voyager , laying the groundwork for the thriving organisation that exists today.
What is coastal rowing?
Coastal rowing is a traditional activity with deep roots in communities around Scotland’s shoreline. Its modern revival began in 2008 with the creation of the St Ayles Skiff, which helped spark a remarkable community movement. Commissioned by the Scottish Fisheries Museum as part of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project, the original vision was simple but powerful: communities would build and row their own boats, then come together
in friendly inter-community regattas across Scotland and beyond.
The original Troon Coastal Rowing Club was formed in 2010, and further background on the club’s history is available on the organisation’s website.
Governance and Leadership
The charity’s governance arrangements draw on the experience of the original club while adopting good practice appropriate to its status as a Scottish charity. By making effective use of guidance from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and learning from comparable organisations, the charity has established a sound framework to support responsible stewardship and future growth.
A copy of the constitution is available on request from the Secretary.
TCRC is governed through its membership and committee structure. The committee comprises between eight and eleven members, including three office bearers: Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. The charity may have between three and five trustees, and during the reporting period the office bearers served as the appointed trustees.
Committee and trustees during the reporting period
| Name | Role | Trustee |
|---|---|---|
| Christine Collins | Chair | Yes |
| Mike Krus | Secretary | Yes |
| Steve Brannagan | Treasurer | Yes |
| Jacqui Cunningham | Committee Member | No |
| Lizzie Young | Committee Member | No |
| Adrian McCreadie | Committee Member | No |
| Brian Dalziel | Committee Member & Safety Oficer | No |
| Jim Paxton | Committee Member | No |
| Kathleen Bargh | Committee Member | No |
| Ruth Matuska | Committee Member | No |
The charity’s trustees throughout the reporting period were Christine Collins, Mike Krus and Steve Brannagan.
Members
Membership is open to all who have an interest in any aspect of coastal rowing. An annual fee is charged which is proposed annually by the committee at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Committee representation, Office Bearers and Trustees are agreed each year at the AGM and formed from within the wider membership of the club. Nominations are provided as part of the notice of the AGM and are formally appointed at the AGM.
Trustees Responsibility
TCRC will report annually to OSCR following regulatory guidance and including all necessary information including independently examined accounts. The Trustees and wider committee ensure the club complies with our constitution and good practices associated with its charitable status.
A register of members is maintained by the secretary. Provision of this register will follow charitable guidelines.
Minutes of committee meetings are kept by the treasurer.
The constitution includes all necessary provisions for trustees to ensure where there is a conflict of interest, breach of duties or any other similar matter, they are dealt with in an appropriate manner.
A register of charity trustees is retained and any changes recorded. This register is available to any person on request to the secretary.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the organisation is to advance public participation in sport and the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended. The Club will work to achieve its objective by such means as it considers are appropriate, for example by:
a) Providing information about coastal rowing to local schools and other organisations;
b) Liaising with the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association to share in best practice and current information;
c) Publicising the activities of the Club;
d) Providing coaching and making its boat or boats available for educational or training purposes, in particular among young people in the Troon community;
e) Promotion of good and safe practice in coastal rowing and other marine activities;
f) Participation in competitions and rowing events.
Achievements and Performance
2024–25 was a landmark year for Troon Coastal Rowing Club. It marked the transition from a proud community-based club to a registered Scottish charity, while also preparing for participation in the 2025 World Championships. Across the year, members continued to demonstrate commitment not only to rowing performance, but also to health, wellbeing, volunteering and community connection.
At the start of the year, members were focused on preparations for SkiffieWorlds 2025, scheduled for 6 to 12 July in Stranraer. Preparation extended far beyond time on the water and included team logistics, kit design and sourcing, and a strong emphasis on fitness. Regular physical activity is central to the charity’s public benefit, supporting both physical and mental wellbeing through improved focus, motivation, confidence and self-esteem. Members attended off-season fitness sessions,
open to all, hosted by CrossFit Scotland. In keeping with the charity’s wider values, TCRC participants also supported the CrossFit Scotland 500 Miles Ayrshire Hospice initiative.
Although on-water training is naturally more limited during the winter months, a dedicated group of members continues to row regularly, often with the promise of a hot coffee and bacon roll on return. On stormier days, rowing may give way to conversation over coffee and cake, but these sessions remain an important expression of the club’s community spirit. They strengthen camaraderie, reduce isolation and support the charity’s aim of bringing people together through sport and recreation.
The 2025 World Championship for St Ayles skiffs took place from Sunday 6 July to Saturday 12 July in Stranraer on Loch Ryan. Twenty members of Troon Coastal Rowing Club were scheduled to compete across the week, with the club entering thirteen of the twenty-five available race
categories. Members were supported by fellow volunteers and supporters throughout the event, and the club’s overall performance reflected both determination and pride in representing Troon on an international stage.
Throughout 2024–25, the club also took part in a range of regattas along the Ayrshire coast and further afield. Crews returned to Troon with trophies, medals and renewed confidence, while also forming new friendships within the wider coastal rowing community. The club’s own regatta unfortunately had to be cancelled twice due to weather conditions, but TCRC remains proud to welcome clubs from across Scotland to experience Troon’s coastline and natural setting.
Boat maintenance is a vital enabler of the charity’s work and delivers wider benefits beyond competition and recreation. During the period, members devoted significant volunteer effort to maintaining existing equipment and developing new assets, including work on oars. In doing so, the club helps preserve traditional boat-building knowledge and practical skills, and members are encouraged to develop and pass these on to future generations. Some members also share this expertise with other charitable
bodies, supporting youth development and wider participation in the sport.
Safety remains central to all club activity. The charity has established procedures for operating both on and off the water, requires appropriate safety equipment, and ensures members understand their responsibilities. A dedicated Safety Officer sits on the committee to help maintain these standards.
Social connection is one of the most valued aspects of the club. Regular gatherings bring members together, strengthen friendships and create a welcoming environment for people from different backgrounds who share an interest in a traditional, community-based sport.
Member perspectives provide a powerful illustration of the club’s impact. The reflections below highlight how participation in coastal rowing supports wellbeing, confidence, friendship and a sense of belonging.
“What begins as rowing often becomes something more: confidence, companionship, purpose and pride in being part of a shared endeavour.”
Member spotlight: Morag Kemp
Morag Kemp has been part of Troon Coastal Rowing Club since its earliest days and remains deeply involved in both rowing and the upkeep of the club’s skiffs. For her, the club offers not only time on the water but also a meaningful way to contribute to something shared and enduring.
She describes one of the most rewarding parts of club life as welcoming new people who arrive a little uncertain, only to return from their first row smiling, energised and eager to come back. That sense of camaraderie, encouragement and shared enthusiasm is, in her view, one of the defining strengths of TCRC.
Morag also values the physical and mental challenge of rowing: the teamwork required, the discipline of pulling together, and the excitement of competition. Alongside this comes the simple privilege of being close to the sea and local wildlife, experiences that make each outing memorable.
For Morag, coastal rowing is good for both body and soul — a source of exercise, connection and joy that she would readily recommend to others.
Member spotlight: Kevin McQueen
The benefits of exercise for the mind, body and soul are well documented, but when you are also part of a team and community they become immeasurable. Weather affects any outdoor sport and throughout the winter months we train at a local gym, maintaining overall fitness and a team spirit. Competitive coastal rowing has grown significantly over the years with multiple annual club events across the country involving crews of all ages and abilities. These events show the wonderfully supportive and friendly nature of the Skiffie community with people from all backgrounds coming together to share a love of coastal rowing. Being part of a racing crew, giving your all for each other is an amazing experience, which builds strong bonds, teamwork, fitness and lifelong memories. Every three years the Skiffie Worlds are held and in 2025 at Stranraer over 79 clubs from as far afield as Australia, South Africa and Canada competed, attracting over 30,000 spectators. The thrill of being part of a competition on that scale is truly incredible.
Member spotlight: Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer has been part of Troon Coastal Rowing Marr Club since members first came together to build Voyager in 2011. Since then, the club has become an important part of his life. He values both competitive and leisure rowing and describes time on the water as an enduring source of enjoyment and uplift.
Just as important, he values the company of fellow members and the easy conversation that surrounds club life. For Jim, TCRC combines activity, friendship and continuity in a way that has made it a lasting and valued part of his routine.
Supporting community mental health
Members of TCRC work with a number of external organisations and charitable bodies to extend the benefits of coastal rowing into related areas such as boat building, youth engagement and wellbeing. These partnerships demonstrate how the charity’s skills, equipment and volunteer capacity can support wider community outcomes.
A small group from NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Community Mental Health Team visited the club to take part in a coastal rowing session. For all four participants, this was their first experience of a community-based activity of this kind, following longstanding mental health challenges including anxiety and social withdrawal.
A member of TCRC and her fellow rowers, helped coordinate the session with colleagues and shared the following perspective on its value to participants and the wider community.
“From an occupational therapy perspective, the benefits of this kind of participation were clear. Rowing offers a powerful combination of therapeutic elements: physical activity, sensory regulation through rhythm and movement, time in nature, and the opportunity to build social connections in a low-pressure, structured environment. These aspects align closely with occupational therapy goals around re-engaging individuals in meaningful activity, rebuilding confidence, and supporting routine and structure, all of which are essential to recovery.”
Feedback from those who attended was overwhelmingly positive. One participant has since joined the club independently, marking an important step in community participation and personal confidence.
Experiences like this can be transformative. They provide a safe and supported environment in which people can reconnect with meaningful activity after periods of isolation, and they underline the important role that inclusive community groups can play in supporting mental health recovery.
Financial Review
The charity aims to maintain sufficient reserves to meet essential commitments such as insurance and annual storage costs. Beyond this, the organisation seeks to reinvest available funds into activities and equipment that directly benefit members and support delivery of its charitable purposes.
The first year of charitable operations included the transfer of assets, including the bank balance, from the former unincorporated body to the new SCIO. This transfer was recorded in the accounts as a donation to the charity.
The first year’s accounts reflect a pattern consistent with prior operations and indicate a sound basis for ongoing financial sustainability.
Future Plans
Transitioning to a SCIO is the first step in the club’s longer-term development. This more formal structure provides a framework for growth, stronger governance and greater resilience. While membership growth has historically been organic, the club now intends to consider a more structured approach, particularly in relation to younger members. The committee recognises that robust legal, safeguarding and procedural practices must underpin any future development.
Partnership working with like-minded charities, community organisations and local businesses will remain central to the club’s future. TCRC values its membership of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association and benefits from shared knowledge, participation opportunities and local collaboration. These connections strengthen the charity’s ability to serve its community and support a place-based approach to development.
As with all charities, sustainable funding is essential. Member fees are deliberately set at a level intended to remain affordable, and additional donations from members help supplement annual expenditure. At the same time, the charity recognises the need to strengthen its fundraising approach in order to support future ambitions and long-term sustainability, and it will continue to seek support from appropriate funding bodies.
TCRC has benefited greatly from the generosity and support of Troon Yacht Haven and remains grateful for that assistance. Unlike many other coastal rowing clubs, however, TCRC does not yet have a dedicated facility for storing and maintaining its boats. Temporary maintenance arrangements have been supported for several years by Vincent McWhirter at The Outdoor Partnership, but securing a more permanent home remains an important ambition. A dedicated base would enable growth and provide a stronger physical centre for this place-based charity.
Declaration
I am pleased to submit this first annual report for Troon Coastal Rowing Club SCIO, reflecting a significant year of transition, achievement and community impact.
Signed: Christine Collins Name: CHRISTINE COLLINS Trustee Role: CHAIR Date: 3[rd] June 2026
Troon Coastal Rowing Club SCIO
Receipts and Payments Account
For Period from 13 February 2025 to 30 September 2025
| Opening Balance 13.02.25 Income: Donations Subscriptions Honesty Box Bank interest Social Regatta income Boat / Trailer Sale Sale of clothing New Skiff Trailer and Trolley Container lease Equipment and Maintenance Clothing Insurance Fees Social Miscellaneous Regattas Net Surplus for the Period to 30 September 2025 Closing Balance 30 September 2025 Represented by: Cash in Bank Cash in hand Other Assets Boats: Marjorie Jeffrey Marr Voyager Ailsa Lass Lady Isle |
£ 6,240 2,800 635 51 1,460 0 0 846 |
£ 12,032 3,511 |
£ 0 8,522 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 0 0 1,433 845 0 138 682 76 337 |
|||
| Cost £ 3,283 3,019 2,732 1,028 |
|||
| 8,522 | |||
| 8,322 200 |
|||
| 8,522 | |||
| £ 10,062 |
Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Troon Coastal Rowing Club
I report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 30th September 2025.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accor terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charit (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not a responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the A whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner's statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Christopher Johnston C.A. 8 Sark Drive, Troon KA10 7JG Date: 29th May 2026