Gig Rowing

It certainly wasn't the ideal conditions gig rowers hope for in Cornwall. The Caradon Regatta saw pretty terrible weather with bad visibility. But the gig rowing crews spirits were not dampened by the March conditions.

These were the results at Caradon:

Combined times – (men's & women's times together)

Millers Daughter 1st 1.36.30 Caradon

Kensa 2nd 1.37.04 Mounts Bay

Irene Too 3rd 1.38.04 Falmouth

Swift 4th 1.42.22 Rock

Caradon Pilot Gig Club is based at Saltash Sailing Club on the River Tamar.

The Caradon Regatta was an early opportunity for the gig rowing teams to test out their skills on the water, with just weeks to go before the World Championships which are held on Scilly in May.

Cheers! Pic: Amanda Pennington

Caradon has four gigs including the 'Ann Glanville' which is the club's original gig built by Ralph Bird in 1989. It was named after a famous Saltash woman who plied the trade '"waterman in the 19th century.

She rose to fame during her rowing career, competing in races with an all female crew. They took on a male crew in a regatta at Le Harve and won.

The next gig races, ahead of the World Championships 2009, will be held at Bristol on the Avon River on 21 March, followed by action on the Dart on 11 April.