Sidmouth Gig Club’s fourth regatta took place in warm sunshine, and with a calm sea.

Eight other gig clubs: Weymouth, Langstone Cutters, Swanage, Portland, Bridport, Lyme Regis, Exmouth and Teignmouth, pitched up with their boats to take part in a series of races across a number of categories including men’s and women’s, supervets and mixed crews.

Warm sunshine and good visibility helped spectators to follow the triangular course, which started off Clifton beach went out to sea, turned back towards Port Royal, and then a final stretch along the seafront, a total of just over a mile.

Refreshments were served at the Arches, and teams set up tents along the beach. The 32 foot long gig boats made a fine sight pulled up on the sands.

All of the races were hotly contested. Sidmouth rowed well, but didn’t threaten the strong crews from some of the much larger visiting clubs. The overall winners were Weymouth.

Nick Thompson of Sidmouth Gig Club said: “Everyone enjoyed the event and the club received much thanks and praise for the friendly atmosphere and efficient organisation of the day. We’d like to thank all the organisations, businesses and friends who helped to make the day the success it most certainly was.”