The past three weeks have seen the launch of the Sidmouth Gig Club youth rowing section, writes Jeremy Cloke.
An early result of this has been that a number of local youngsters enjoying getting on the water in a racing gig for the first time.
This Wednesday they joined the club schedule for the first time and will progress to the wooden racing gigs.
With Sidmouth Gig regatta taking place next month (July 15), we are hoping for a junior entry in this, a Jurassic League event!
Last Saturday saw a large contingent from the club make the journey to Swanage Regatta, to race in what were hot and sunny conditions. With entries in the men’s A, ladies’ A and B crews, men’s and ladies’ vets and mixed, it proved to be an afternoon for endurance, and ice cream!
The ladies A crew achieved possibly our best result, coming sixth against the top crews from the Jurassic clubs, and finishing only seconds behind Lyme Regis, a much larger club.
This Saturday (June 9) the club is racing again in Exmouth’s first Gig racing regatta.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for our own Gig Racing Regatta, being held on Sunday July 15.
It should all make for an excellent spectacle, based at Clifton Beach, with gigs following a kite-shaped course before racing along the seafront to the finish by the Arches.
Spectators, supporters and visitors, as always, will be made very welcome.
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