Saltash based Caradon Gig Club travelled to the Isles of Scilly over the May bank holiday weekend to take part in the annual World Pilot Gig Championships held on the islands. This year saw the Club’s biggest entry, fielding 4 mens crews, 3 ladies crews, 1 ladies veteran crew and 2 mens veteran crews.

The championship has grown in size and standard since it was first run 21 years ago, with record entries this year and a total of 121 gigs taking part.

The veterans races are first to take to the water, their championship taking place on the Friday night. The ladies veterans were first out and in strengthening winds and rough seas, Caradon’s ladies vets crew came a creditable 18th out of a field of 46. The mens veterans followed and Caradon’s two mens vets crews did extremely well, the A crew taking silver medal position, whilst the B crew came in 36 out of a field of 62.

The Ladies and Mens races take place over Saturday and Sunday. After 3 tough races in strong northerly winds, against strong opposition, the 4th and final races took place on Sunday afternoon. Caradon ladies did not disappoint and out of a field of 113 crews, the ladies C crew rowing Mary Newman finished in 65th position, the ladies B in Millers Daughter came in 20th and the ladies A in Essa finished in 5th place.

The Mens crews also rowed fantastically well, in a huge field of 121 mens crews. The Mens D rowing Ann Glanville eventually finished 82nd, the Mens C crew rowing Mary Newman achieved a fantastic 19th, the Mens B crew in Millers Daughter claimed 7th place and were the highest placed B crew of the championship, whilst the Mens A in Essa did the Club proud to finish in silver medal position behind Par Bay.

The Club is now looking forward to hosting the Ginsters Mixed and Veterans Championships at Saltash on Saturday and Sunday 19th and 20th June. 

Anyone interested in learning to row is invited to attend the Club’s Novice sessions, held every Wednesday at 6 p.m. from the Saltash Sailing Club.  Please come along and have a go!