Denmark’s first Classic Boat Show will run alongside the Great Southern Classic Car Show with the boats on the Denmark River at Berridge Park on Sunday, September 26 from 10am-3pm.
The classic boats on show will range from some built in the 1920s to retro boats built recently.
Some have had early careers as fishing boats but most were built for social sailing and racing.
They are nearly all built of wood and have traditional gaff rigs.
The older boats generally had a chequered history, often being converted to motor boats before being restored to sail again.
St Ayles Skiffs from Perth and Augusta will join in to demonstrate the type of boat the newly-formed Denmark Community Rowing Association plans to build and row.
The style of boat has its historical roots in Scotland where they were used for fishing and competition.
In coastal communities around the world these boats are being built to foster community spirit and to provide physical and mental health benefits for people who want to take up social or competitive rowing.
It’s a great opportunity to see these craft and find out how to get involved in building and/or rowing them.
There will be a raffle with the main prize being an 8ft-rowing dinghy so the winner can get some practice in.
Everyone is invited to wander down and look at the boats on display and meet the boating enthusiasts who will be happy to talk about them.
For more details call David Cliff 0423 779 093.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 16 September 2021.