Billie's oars get a nip and tuck

Graham Rankin writes: 'On the day of Billie's launch we discovered we had made the oars a little too fat for some of our rowers with more "delicate" hands, well, more precisely we copped a hammering from some of the ladies that the oars were too heavy! Rectification work began today with paring down the hand grips, thanks to the efforts of Mick and Liz.  A couple of clear coats were applied , with a couple more tomorrow, so the oars will be ready in time for Friday's row to Petchey's Bay. The back of the blades will be pared down in the next few weeks, as rowing permits.'