Who We Are

O.A.R.S NELSON

Ocean Adventure Rowing Skiffs

Est. 2016 Nelson. New Zealand

Top of the South “Home of the St Ayles rowing Skiff” and coastal rowing/dinghy cruising 

THE PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY BEHIND THE ST.AYLES SKIFF MOVEMENT

The St Ayles Skiff is a very stable and safe sea boat. It is based on a traditional Fair Isles fishing boat design. (see history of St Ayles skiff)   She takes the waves from any quarter with hardly any water coming over her bows. The concept of the worldwide movement is that boats are built, used and owned by community organisations, partnerships or sometimes individuals. The boats are built from a kit that provides laser cut marine ply components and molds for the hull. Communities and individuals  provide the remaining timber required for thwarts, gunnels, knees and oars. People from all over the world are being captivated by the elegant lines of this distinctive looking skiff and its readily apparent high performing seaworthy qualities . Interest has grown to the extent that the inaugural World Championships was held in 2013 in Ullapool Scotland, with 44 boats and 800 rowers. Successive events have seen the event growing in boat numbers, crews  and participating countries. 

BUILDING TOROA

OARS-NELSON  built Toroa during the 2016 winter with foundation members Denis and Russell as first time builders and co owners. We hoped that this initiative could demonstrate how practical it was to access a boat kit and build and finance a SAS boat as a partnership . This in fact proved to be the case and within 6 months we had completed the boat, and since then have enjoyed introducing others to the "St Ayles Magic" in the top of the South area. We were grateful for the loan of an Auckland based St Ayles skiff during the build and set up phase of our group and acknowledge the generosity of Mike Mahoney (owner) and other contacts from NZ coastal rowing who supported us in the early phase. In the future we would like others to replicate this challenge and end up with their own boat - built by enthusiasts with shared ownership from those  who have trialled SAS rowing using our existing boat, presently resident and available in Nelson.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to see a fleet of St Ayles Skiffs in local waters  - part owned and self built - being used  for “ fleet style”  recreational rows or “raids”  along our unique and beautiful coastline, lakes and  rivers. We expect to meet up with other skiffs and groups from other locations in New Zealand and overseas, and are keen to organise our first hosted raid for 3-5 days (well overdue now)  based in Abel Tasman National (coastal) Park or Marlborough Sounds when interest, builds and timing suits. If you are from overseas and row the mighty SAS and keen to have a row in the Nelson area, email us and we can probably arrange something. 

HOW TO OWN AND BUILD A ST. AYLES SKIFF

The total cost of building a St Ayles Skiff can be up to $8000 however considerable savings can be made by donated materials and labour ($5-7000). Financing a boat could follow several models - there's always the "shut up and get out the cheque book" method and at the other end of the spectrum  interested individuals could work together and cover costs as well as  donate the requisite amount of time required to build the boat they own a share of. 

OTHER BOATS AS EXPEDITION/ROW/SAIL BOATS

The website continues to build up a wealth of information on other alternatives to the mighty St. Ayles skiff. These boats enable crew more flexibility in the type of rowing/sailing (crewed /individual / sculling /sweepoar) and types of trips that can be undertaken (day/overniters/multiday trips/ on board sleeping)  All the boats featured and recommended on this website share common characteristics which quailify them as proven and performance craft, specifically designed for coastal rowing/sailing and dinghy cruising. 

WHY AREN'T WE A CLUB? 

To the question... why don’t we form a Club- membership fees, fund-raising, have committee meetings, club rooms and regular social events?  

The answer is... we can’t be bothered... we would far prefer and get on, build own and row/sail our boats, and meet up and do our talking and socialising on the water. Our group consists of keen and motivated row and sail adventurers, who require little motivation or encouragement to "drop tools" and daily routines, and hit the water when the call goes out. - well .... when time allows!