There are 2 main races for the TAYFORTH Title, first contested on April 23rd 2003. Each club selects it's best men's and women's coxed (steered) fours, as this boat best reflects University Rowing in Scotland. In every race, the demands on the rower are high - absolute concentration, focussed power and flawless technique. Coxes also have an important part to play, as the river Forth twists and turns, offering advantage first to one side, then the other. This is as much a contest of brains as brawn.
Tayforth is a stern test indeed of muscle, coxing and boatmanship. The Toss, overseen by the race umpire, is to decide on the Station (side of the river) that the boats will have. Various points of the course favour different stations as the river twists this way and that - however the crews must stay on their side of the river to ensure the race distance is equal. The Rugby Club Station has the shorter line of the final bend, but the Boathouse Station gives an initial psychological boost as the boats have a staggered start to make an even race distance. Neither station seems to give undue advantage, as races have been won from both.
In the event that each club wins one race apiece, a Tiebreak race will be rowed to decide the TAYFORTH Champions. Each Captain then has to select two men and two women from their club to row in a mixed sex four over a sprint course, to battle it out for the honour of their club.
Rowers not part of the selected TAYFORTH crews also have a chance to race the other club in Reserve Races, in whatever boat class they can find competition in. Although these (and the Ergo Challenge) do not form part of the Points system, they can provide an excellent guide to future years, as people in the novice / second crews this year may well make the top boat next season.
After the races on the water, beginners from both clubs will have their chance to shine in the Novices Ergo Challenge, numbers dependant. Mixed sex teams race over preset distance on a rowing machine - or ergo - in a relay. The total time taken to row the agreed distance (including changeovers!) will determine which club has the most pulling power.
After the racing ends, the partying begins. The revived athletes and supporters then prove the endurance that rowing builds by dancing the night away in Stirling Citys hottest disco-theques and speakeasys - a moment's relaxation before returning to the hard graft of training!
