Brixham exceed 'Mr Kipling of the Gig World' reputation

Brixham Gig Rowing Club had the privilege of once again hosting the Cornish Pilot Gig Association’s Veterans Championship. This is a rowing event where participants must be a minimum age of 40, and where traditional, clinker built, wooden rowing boats, containing six rowers and a cox, are raced over athree-kilometre course, including three buoy turns.
Sixty-two crews came from all over Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset and even as far away as London to take part in the event, which took place off Breakwater Beach.. After an initial downpour the weather stayed fine and the sea conditions were good, leading to some excellent racing, all of which was in clear sight of spectators.
Thirty-four women’s crews raced in four heats, and 28 men’s crews raced in three heats. The times achieved in the heats determined which final each crew then competed in. Crews couldn’t race in their own boats, and the boat they rowed in was determined by a draw, which introduced an ‘unknown’ factor. Racing was very competitive with Dartmouth winning the Ladies’ Shield, Boscastle the Ladies’ Bowl, Brixham the Ladies’ Plate and Charlestown the Ladies’ Cup. As for the men, Boscastle won the Bowl, Bude the Plate and Caradon the Cup. Brixham’s other female crew was placed in the Shield Final and their men’s crews were placed in the Plate and Cup Finals.
Paignton Rowing Club entered three crews, two ladies and one in the men’s. All three crews had good rows and all finished third in their respective finals.
The next day Brixham hosted its own ‘home’ regatta, with many of the clubs that attended the Saturday event staying over and joining some additional clubs in another day of racing. This event consisted of races right across the age range, from Under 14s to the over 60s and this too was a great success.
Paignton fielded several crews and had some good results which included an inaugural win for their Ladies C crew out of a field of nine. Other results for Paignton included Ladies B second from eleven, Men’s C third from nine, Ladies Supervets third from ten and Men’s Supervets fourth from seven.
Previously, Brixham has been described as the “Mr Kipling of the Gig World”, due to “the exceedingly good regatta” they hosted, and this year the club set out to put on an even better event and the club is satisfied it achieved this goal. The event was very well attended, many compliments were received from the participants and representatives of the CPGA, and residents and visitors to the town were treated to an excellent spectacle. Club members sold food, drink and merchandise and there was also a book sale, tombola, and a very popular bar, which helped raise a very nice sum for club funds.
Club Treasurer Paul Goddard said: "Brixham Gig Club was proud to host these events and delighted that so many of the competitors stayed over the whole weekend, boosting the local economy. They were also pleased and grateful for the support given by the local community and businesses, who gave their time and provided financial support and trophies. Thanks go to St Austell Brewery, The Bay Coffee & Cake Company, Flotsam 50, Bays Brewery, Lloyd Maunder, Inspirations, Bertie & Crew and the Berry Head Hotel."
* Paignton Regatta fine boat rowing which was scheduled for May 20 was postponed because of expected rough water and re-scheduled for July 15 but had to be cancelled because of high winds. The event will not be re-scheduled again and the 2023 West of England ARA Championships will be reduced from ten regattas to nine.