Please email with your latest photos,

Cadgwith Gig Club once again made its annual pilgrimage to the World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly, which this year handily coincided with the Royal Wedding Weekend. The sport continues to grow with this the 22nd championships attracting 124 boats with the larger clubs taking up to 5 crews for each race.

The event began with a calm sea and evening sunshine for the Friday night Veterans races back to St Mary’s Quay from St Agnes. We didn’t field a ladies’ crew this time (just too youthful), and our men’s crew was scrambled last minute, consisting of Elwyn Jones, Chris Langley (his first race this millennium – welcome back), and 4 friendly Truro rowers, coxed by Rachel Holder (first time coxing St Agnes race). A respectable performance, with Rose coming in mid fleet at 32/64. Rose was alongside Steve and David Holyer rowing in the CRAB gig Dall Lewer for the first half of the race, the blind crew coming in an admirable 37th, to a big cheer.

An overnight thunderstorm made things lively for those under canvas and Saturday dawned bright and breezy, with some typical lumpy sea conditions for the long St Agnes races. First up were the ladies, with the A crew in Tamarisk (Emma George, Sam Jane, Katie Jose, Naomi Harry, Kim Smith, Sharon Bray, cox Dave Jane) and B in Rose (Sarah Rudd, Judith Preston, Sue Atkinson, Dani Yeats, Nicci Addison, Rachel Holder, Cox Sally Oldrieve) These are the most spectacular races of the weekend, with the colourful scene of over 100 boats lining up close to St Agnes, for the long race back to St Mary’s Hugh Town Quay. The As came in 42nd, and the Bs recovered well from a tangle on the start, to come in 63rd. Special mentions for Sue, first time at the World Championships, and Naomi, first time rowing for Cadgwith at Scilly.

In the men’s St Agnes race, Cadgwith A (Tom Alden, Stuart George, Matt Holyer, Stevie Jane, Ed Langley, James Fitzimmons – Cox Dave Jane) came in 43rd. Congratulations to Ed and James competing in their first Scilly Championships. Cadgwith B were a bit thin on the ground, but Elwyn’s ability to pressgang rowers on the beach saved the day, with Elwyn, David Holyer, Chris Langley, Frank Care and Brett Jose joined for various races by rowers from Bridport, Flushing and Mylor, Scilly and Holland! The scratch Rose crew, (coxing over weekend shared by Rachel Holder and Katie Jose) came in 79th out of 124 gigs in the St Agnes race.

Saturday afternoon saw the first of the Nut Rock heats – sprints from Tresco back to St Mary’s Quay, in groups of 12, with the first two boats moving up, and the last two dropping down. Unfortunately the Mens B dropped a heat, but all other crews stayed put, the Ladies B coming close to going up, being pipped to 3rd in their heat.

Sunday was a grey, breezy and cool day, but thankfully the rain never really amounted to too much. Two races were rowed by each crew on Sunday, with the second race of the day deciding final championship placings.

Ladies B rowed strongly, coming in 2nd in the morning race, which took them up a group to E. Another good row in the final gave an overall placing of 54th, an impressive leap from 88th last year. Ladies A maintained their place in group D, and came through to take 43rd out of 123, comparing favourably with last year’s placing of 41st /113. The Ladies race was won by Falmouth in their brand new boat Black Rock, with the Dutch girls in Vliegende Hollander taking second.

Cadgwith Men’s A had a tough battle in the final with local rivals Coverack, but unfortunately for Tom, it was his brother Mark’s Manacle Belle crew that snatched 39th place, Tamarisk coming 40th. Oh well can’t win them all! The Men’s B scratch crew came in 94th in the final, having won their tussle for the line with the Culdrose crew who came in 95th in Daedalus. Falmouth made the double, taking the men’s as well as the ladies’ title in Black Rock, from Caradon in Essa, and Mounts Bay in their new gig Cormoran.

On Sunday evening Cadgwith rowers, family members and supporters gathered for our customary celebratory meal, once again hosted by the Bishop and Wolf (thanks to Mo Jones for co-ordinating orders).

Anyone on the first Scillonian back on Monday (myself, Dani, Katie, Sue, Nicci, Sarah, Diddy, Frank and Matt included), copped for some trying times, as the strong winds made for a rough crossing. Never mind we thought as Penzance came into sight, all would be over soon. Little did we know that 3 hrs later we would still be on board, rolling round Mts Bay! It proved impossible to bring her stern to the quay against the wind, so there was no choice but to wait for the tide to rise, to allow us into the safety of the inner quay. Needless to say, we were all mightily pleased to eventually get back on dry land. The second sailing was cancelled, leaving some with an unplanned additional night on the islands.

7 hour Scillonian ordeal aside, a fine time was had by all, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to Cadgwith’s involvement in the Championships – rowers, coxes, cheering supporters and family members, and those who have towed gigs to and from Penzance. I’m sure most of us will plan to be back! Thanks go to Mullion Cove Hotel for sponsoring crew vests. Special thanks to Dave Jane, for all the time and energy he has put into training the crews since Christmas, and Em George for coordinating slots. Many congratulations to Kim Smith and Jago Rosevear, who got engaged whilst on the islands, and we all wish them well for their future together.

Back safely on the mainland, we’re looking forward to a busy summer of racing, including our own Buller Day, which this year will fall on Saturday 6th August. Cadgwith Gig Club is always pleased to welcome new members, both social and competitive rowers, so please do get in touch if you would like to get involved.

Report by Rachel Holder, Secretary 291052

Photos from 2011... ok here we go

Photo by Dani Yeats with: Sarah Hammill Rudd , Katie Jose about to leave Penzance

Photo by Dani Yeates

Photo by Dani Yeates

Photo by Dani Yeats , Love this pic, : Johnny arrived!!!!

Photo by Dani Yeates

Photo by Dani Yeats , In this photo: Judith Preston, Sarah Hammill Rudd, Susan Atkinson

Photo by Dani Yeats , In this photo: Susan Atkinson

Photo by Dani Yeats , Good old Rose, she did us proud

Photo by Dani Yeats , Susan Atkinson, Dan Atkinson

Photo from Dani Yeats , In this photo: Susan Atkinson, rachel holder, Dani Yeats , Sarah Hammill Rudd

Photo by Dani Yeats , Nikki, Rachel

Photo by Dani Yeates

Photo by Dani Yeats , Bruce Bray

Photo by Dani Yeates

Photo by Dani Yeates

Photo by Dani Yeats , Dave Jane, Sam Jane, Emma George, Naomi Harry, Katie Jose, Sharon Partridge, Kim Smith

Photo by Dani Yeats , Emma George, Katie Jose

Photo by Dani Yeats , Sarah HammillRudd , Susan Atkinson

Photo by Dani Yeates

Photo by Dani Yeats , Sarah HammillRudd, Susan Atkinson

Photo by Dani Yeats , Katie Jose (photos), Bruce Bray, Sharon Partridge, Kim Smith

Photo by Dani Yeats , Our final placings, A crew 43, B crew 54.. great results!!

Photo by Dani Yeats , Speeches, after club dinner, Elwyn Jones in the photo

Photo by Dani Yeats , Captain Dave as he likes to be known

Great photos, Dani, manythanks!