New dories for Canada!

Builders at The Dory Shop of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia are feeling a tad patriotic these days thanks to their latest project – a new set of dories for the Canadian Dory Racing Association.
Since 1952, rowers from Canada and the United States have faced off on the Lunenburg and Gloucester waterfronts once a year as part of the International Dory Races. Now heading into its 62nd year, this event is a much-loved tradition and treasured part of Maritime heritage.
But dory rowing has also become a growth sport in Lunenburg, attracting an increasing number of men, women and youth who are taking up the oars for exercise, fun and friendship.
In fact, in 2013, the Canadian Dory Racing Association boasted a membership of 80 recreational rowers, more than half of them new sign ups. Recreational rowing instruction is held every Monday evening beginning in mid-April and running well into the fall season. Competitive rowers are coached Tuesday and Friday nights. And the association’s dories can be seen out on the harbor at many different times of day as rowers practice their stroke and enjoy an excellent cardiovascular workout.
This activity is a huge win for Lunenburg, says The Dory Shop’s manager, Susan Corkum-Greek.
“People are engaged in a healthy lifestyle activity that also strengthens the town’s appeal as a tourism destination. We can’t have fishing vessels landing fish every day, nor tall ships arriving at the dock, but visitors delight in the sight of rowers out on the water or the simple beauty of the dories tied to the floating dock or hauled up on the ways,” she says.
And of course the International Dory Races, held each year in August, are an event that continues to attract a delegation from Massachusetts, as well as visitors from near and far.
While based on the dimensions of the traditional double dories of the Grand Banks fishery, which measure 15 feet on the bottom and 19′ 9″ overall with a 5′ 5″ beam, racing dories must be built to exacting standards lest a competitor feel disadvantaged by the characteristics of one boat over another and challenge race results.
To view the new dories under construction, please visit The Dory Shop at 175 Bluenose Drive, Lunenburg, or virtually via Facebook or their website at www.doryshop.com