Crews from Weymouth, Portland Swanage and Sidmouth joined forces with Lyme Regis Gig club to travel to their twin town of St Georges in Bermuda.

Thirty members of the Jurassic coast Gig Clubs formed ‘Team Jurassic ‘to take part in the Bermuda Invitational Gig Regatta.

They entered four crews to race against the Bermudians and visitors from Cornwall, Devon, USA and the Netherlands.

A series of regattas were held at three locations on the Island. Two customary kite shaped courses at Mangrove Bay and the Spanish Point, with a final 1000 meter sprint regatta held in the sheltered waters of St Georges.

The two men’s crews were placed first and seconnd after victories at Mangrove Bay and Spanish Point.

The two ladies crews came in third and sixth behind the Bermudian and Dutch teams. With an accumulator style event this gave the Jurassic Gig Rowers the overall victory from the 11 teams that entered.

Rick Spurling, the chairman of the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club said: “By all accounts this Regatta far exceeded my expectations and those of our international rowers. It went exceedingly well.”

During the visit there were other opportunities for the visiting rowers, including history tours of St Georges and an endurance row of 10 miles along the North Shore of the island. Weymouth Rowing Club umpire, Glenn Bancroft, was also fascinated by the marine life including many large turtles.

Other activities off the water kept the visitors very entertained. From a guided tour of the National Museum visiting the oldest Bermudan Pilot Gig, to the dark and stormy beverages consumed at the after regatta parties!

Cheryl Tanner of Weymouth Rowing Club praised the Bermudian hospitality. She said: “Many new friends have been made with rowers and their amazing volunteers who helped at all the events, It was an ‘oarsome’ experience!”

If you would like to find out more about a gig rowing club in your area then visit the Cornish Pilot Gig Association at cpga.co.uk