Gig club test waters for potential Sidmouth regatta

Sidmouth Gig Racing Club staged a mini-race day on Sunday as they laid the groundwork for the town’s first regatta.

Val Huntingdon from the club said: “The aim was to try out the logistics of hosting a gig racing regatta in Sidmouth and invite other clubs to participate.

“Sea conditions made exciting rowing but racing was proved to be a definite possibility for the future.”

The club’s two gigs, Keith Owen, the wooden competition boat, and Alma, the training boat, were launched in the shallower waters at Clifton beach, raced out to sea, then across the seafront and back with a mini league of five teams competing against each other.

Val said that in a real event spectators should get very good views from the seafront, and it is hoped the racing will draw in large crowds.

“It will put Sidmouth on the map as one of the jurrassic gig racing league venues, especially as the club has such good facilities at Port Royal for hosting such an event,” she added.

Anybody interested in taking part should visit www.sidmouthgigclub.com.