A rowing event of a different kind, The Blue Light Regatta took place in Whitegate, East Cork on Sunday 13/09/15. This is the second year that this Regatta was held which saw teams from An Garda Síochána, Phillips 66 fire team, the Port of Cork, the Army/Air Corps, National Ambulance Service, First Responders, local businesses and clubs take part in a series of challenging coastal rowing races. The Regatta was a major fund raising event in aid of the East Cork Rapid Response, the voluntary group that provides a Pre-Hospital Emergency Service for the East Cork Community. A full programme of races was on the card which comprised the following categories:

• Novice Ladies – winners: Ballinacurra team
• Inter Firm Race – winners: O’Riordan Pumps
• Schools and Universities Race – winners: St. Colmans
• Hospitality Race – winners: Schooner Bar, Ballycotton
• Clubs & Gyms Race – winners: Mulls Gym
• Battle of Ballinacurra Race – winners: Ballinacurra team
• The Blue Light Boat Race – Ladies – winners: Composite Garda/ECRR/ Airport Police
• The Blue Light Boat Race – Gents – winners: Army/Air Corps

The event was hosted at the club facility of Whitegate Rowing Club with the main sponsors of the event being the Port Of Cork.

After many weeks of hard training, the various crews gathered for the first race of the day, which commenced at 3.30pm, to compete in coastal rowing boats with a crew of 4 per boat and Cox and battle it out over a 1500m course in order to claim the title of Blue Light Regatta Champions 2015.

The Battle of Ballinacurra was one of the highlights of the day which saw the Ballinacurra walkers/running group compete throughout most of the races on offer in the regatta programme. This group were given their own race where they competed in mixed crews against each other with the winning team being crowned the Ultimate Champions of Ballinacurra!

The Special guest at this event was Sean Coleman who recently won 2 silver medals in swimming at the Special Olympics world games 2015.

Enthusiasts from all over the East Cork area gathered in support of this worthwhile cause to cheer on the crews taking part in the event.

ECCG was on hand to capture the event from different vantage points around the village including Sawmills Pier, the Whitegate RC clubhouse, the strand and on the water. A fantastic event for a very worthy charity, it was enjoyed by everyone in attendance and, as heavy rain fell in the surrounding areas, Whitegate stayed dry! Maybe the volume of the cheering crowds drifting across the water convinced the weather Gods to give the place a miss? Who knows?

Click here to see our full gallery of images. Enjoy!

– Noelle Lowney