A beautiful sunny day greeted Sidmouth gig club at Teignmouth for their gig regatta. Nine clubs had entered in various races so it was quite a large competitive field.

Sidmouth entered four races, targeting the veterans and mixed competition rather than the fast, furious and largely youthful A, B and C team events, as this is where the club has its strength.

The course was a sprint across the sea front then out to sea and back in a triangle shape.

The calm water off the harbour wall was a very deceptive indication of sea conditions and also the battering wind on the last leg which made it difficult for a final burst to the finish line.

The Mens C team were first out and finished a fighting last, but received credit for their total ages!

The Ladies veterans, were in the competition all the way around, but were beaten for position at one of the buoy markers amidst the clashing of oars, lost stroke briefly and consequently their place.

They were unable to pull back ground and finished a very close last to Clevedon, who were in their new gig Watch and Pray and pulled ahead.

The Mens veterans (Over-40s) were competing in a race of eleven crews and held on to an embattled seventh position all the way around.

The Mixed team had similar fortune fighting with Lyme Regis for position the entire race, and finished a very comfortable sixth out of nine.

Overall fitness and strength of rowers has improved greatly from last year-the clubs first competitive season-and this year hopefully will see a leap up the table in regatta results.

The club is looking forward to the possibility of hosting it’s own regatta in Sidmouth in late summer.

Anybody wanting to row with the club, see the web page wwwsidmouthgigclub.com for details.