This year, Sidmouth Gig Racing Club celebrated another good season at the Woodlands Hotel on the final Saturday of February, writes Nick Thompson.

Sidmouth Herald: Four of the Sidmouth Gig Club's Ladies C Crew, Sarah MacCourt, Amanda Bleazard, Linda Wheate, Megan Rodgers, and cox, Gina Rodgers.(Not in photo, but very much part of the crew) - Julie Turner and Kirsteen Welch. The ladies received their award after their stunning performance in the Rame Regatta. Picture SIDMOUTH GIG CLUB The rowers were Julie Turner, Sarah MacCourt, Amanda Bleazard, Linda Wheate, Kirsteen Welch and Megan Rodgers, plus cox, Gina Rodgers.Four of the Sidmouth Gig Club's Ladies C Crew, Sarah MacCourt, Amanda Bleazard, Linda Wheate, Megan Rodgers, and cox, Gina Rodgers.(Not in photo, but very much part of the crew) - Julie Turner and Kirsteen Welch. The ladies received their award after their stunning performance in the Rame Regatta. Picture SIDMOUTH GIG CLUB The rowers were Julie Turner, Sarah MacCourt, Amanda Bleazard, Linda Wheate, Kirsteen Welch and Megan Rodgers, plus cox, Gina Rodgers. (Image: Archant)

Forty members and friends met in the evening for drinks and dinner, which was followed by the annual awards event.

The master of ceremonies was Gina Rodgers, the club’s chair, ably assisted by Barry Morton, who is noted for the fancy dress events he masterminds for the club in the Raft Race and Boxing Day swim.

The main rowing award is for Best Crew. This went to the Ladies’ C crew for their performance in the Rame Regatta.

The rowers were Julie Turner, Sarah MacCourt, Amanda Bleazard, Linda Wheate, Kirsteen Welch and Megan Rodgers, plus cox Gina Rodgers.

Sidmouth Herald: Sidmouth Gig Club's retiring chairman Jeremy Cloke with the mounted photo taken during the club’s Solstice Row last June, that was presented to him at the 2019 Awards Night. Picture: SIDMOUTH GIG CLUBSidmouth Gig Club's retiring chairman Jeremy Cloke with the mounted photo taken during the club’s Solstice Row last June, that was presented to him at the 2019 Awards Night. Picture: SIDMOUTH GIG CLUB (Image: Archant)

The awards for the best new rowers went to Val Ranger and Grant Clarke, and the most improved rowers were Pete Blackmore and Rachel Horwood.

Top veterans were Sarah MacCourt and Alan Rodgers, and special awards went to Sarah Green and John Richardson.

The best young rower was Jess Green and the Clubman Trophy went to Megan Rodgers, while the ‘Extra Mile’ went to Mike Perrington.

The prestigious Splash Award went to Nick Thompson for his ‘epic fail’ by spending an hour photographing two rowing crews and a canoe using a camera with no memory card.

Finally, a special award was given to our retiring chairman, Jeremy Cloke, who received a framed enlargement of a photo taken of our early morning Solstice Day row.

The club is looking forward to the 2019 season and welcomes new members. To find out more, search online for ‘Sidmouth Gig Club’ or email sidmouthgigclub@gmail.com