On the penultimate Saturday of March, while men from Sidmouth Gig Club were on the sea training for the forthcoming World Championship, the ladies were on dry land, rowing a sponsored marathon.
Thanks to a kind offer from Mathew Meek, owner of the Sidmouth Bike Studio on Alexandria Industrial Estate, 13 ladies rowed a total of 26 miles on three Ergo rowing machines.
Each participant rowed in two 2,000-metre sessions, not to mention Tilly and Bo Beeken, young daughters of a club member, who rowed 500 metres each.
In total, over £700 was raised. Half of this will be donated to Sidmouth Lifeboat in recognition of their role in water safety at Sidmouth, and the rest went to gig club funds.
The Sidmouth Gig Club offers a warm welcome to new members, whatever their ability.
We have around 80 members and are a sociable club with lots of non-rowing activities.
There is also a growing youth section which welcomes youngsters from age 13 and over. If you are interested in joining the club or coming along to a taster session, please search online for “Sidmouth Gig Club” or contact the membership secretary at sidmouthgigclub@gmail.com.
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