Westport Rowing

Westport Rowing, located in Plymouth, is a rowing club that offers an exceptional rowing experience for individuals of all ages and skill levels. The club is proud to introduce their flagship rowing boat, the Westport Nordic Explorer, which is designed to provide a safe and versatile rowing experience in any condition.

The Nordic Explorer is a recreational rowing boat that can be used for single or double rowing. It features additional seating for passengers both forward and aft, as well as larger capacity compartments for convenient storage. With its folding riggers, the Nordic Explorer allows for easy and safe boarding, even when coming alongside the quay, pontoon, or another boat. The riggers can be folded inboard with the sculls in place, minimising the step in and out of the boat.

One of the key advantages of the Nordic Explorer is its ability to remain fully rigged, even when trailering. The riggers and sculls can be folded inboard when leaving the boat and outboard when getting ready to go rowing. This makes the boat extremely convenient and easy to use for both training and leisure purposes.

The club takes pride in its partnership with Steve Walker at Ahoy Boats, who has extensive experience in rowing and sailing. Together, they have successfully marketed the Nordic Explorer worldwide. The boat was originally branded as the 'Jolly Boat' and its design draws inspiration from traditional British sailing warship boats and sea-going 'Pilot Gigs' of the South West British Isles. The Nordic Explorer also incorporates elements of the Thames Rowing Skiff, resulting in a sleek and faster boat that maintains the stability, load carrying capacity, and seaworthiness of the original designs.

The Nordic Explorer is designed to be user-friendly, catering to individuals of all ages and experience levels. Whether you are 8 or 80 years old, you can easily row the boat with confidence. Its traditional and graceful lines not only enhance its aesthetic appeal but also indicate its seaworthiness and surprising speed. This makes the boat suitable for various water environments, including rivers, lochs, estuaries, and sheltered coastal waters.

In terms of practicality, the Nordic Explorer features folding riggers that facilitate easy boarding and rigging. It also offers generous storage space with large lockers located both forward and aft for dry storage. Additionally, handy elastic deck netting provides easy access to frequently used items during rowing sessions.

The Nordic Explorer is available in both single and double configurations. The double configuration includes two normal rowing positions as well as a third position amidships, allowing for balanced rowing as a single, single with a passenger, or double. For those seeking a lighter and faster boat, lightweight versions of the Nordic Explorer are now available. These versions utilise vacuum resin infusion technology to create a strong yet lightweight laminate, making the boat easier to handle on land.

At Westport Rowing, their goal is to provide individuals with an unforgettable rowing experience in a boat that prioritises safety, versatility, and performance. Whether you are training for sculling, seeking relaxation on the water, enjoying a picnic, or simply aiming to stay fit and healthy, the Nordic Explorer is the perfect choice. Join Westport Rowing and expand your horizons as you navigate the waters with confidence and grace.