Sidmouth gig racing club hosted their second annual regatta on Sunday and it was an absolutely fantastic event, writes Charis Buckingham.

Sidmouth Gig Racing Club hosted its second annual regatta on Sunday with perfect weather making the day a ‘great success’ for both rowers and spectators, writes Callum Lawton.

Six clubs joined Sidmouth to participate in the event, with Weymouth bringing along two gigs to add further to the spectacle.

The racing started at 12.30pm with Ladies’ A crews going first, but it was Weymouth’s day as it took the top spot - and ended up winning all of the races to clinch the trophy.

The most thrilling race for Sidmouth was the final event of the day, with a mixed crew battling for third place the entire way round the course. Weymouth took the first and second spots but Sidmouth held Bridport off to achieve third place.

Sidmouth’s moment of glory came final event of the day, with a mixed crew battling for third place the entire way round the course.

Weymouth took the first and second spots, but Sidmouth held Bridport off to achieve third place.

Rower Charis Buckingham said: “All in all it was a fantastic day made possible through the help and support of our members and local people.

“We would like to thank the local businesses for donating raffle prizes, Haymans Butchers, Vinnicombes Bakers and Confectioners, Ian Winchester & Sons and Sidmouth Surf Life Saving Club for all their help.”

The conditions were ideal, with sunshine and mostly calm waters making the day a great success for both the rowers and spectators. Six clubs joined Sidmouth to participate in the event, they included: Bridport, Exmouth, Lyme Regis, Teignmouth, Swanage and Weymouth. Weymouth brought two gigs with them to join in on the action creating a spectacle on Sidmouth’s sea.

The racing commenced at 12.30pm with Ladies’ A crews going first. It was an exciting race to start the day, with Weymouth taking the top spot and coming first. This became a recurring theme and Weymouth ended up winning all of the races, consequently taking home the overall trophy; it was a Weymouth whitewash!

Nevertheless, there were some close races with lots of excitement for both the rowers and spectators. After the Ladies’ A race it was the Ladies’ B, followed by the Men’s A and B races. It was then the turn of the Veterans and Sidmouth held out for 6th place in both the Men’s and Ladies’ races.

The most thrilling race for Sidmouth was the final event of the day, with a mixed crew battling for third place the entire way round the course. Weymouth took the first and second spots, but Sidmouth held Bridport off to achieve third place.

All in all it was a fantastic day made possible through the help and support of Gig club members and local people.

Sidmouth Gig Club would like to thank the local businesses for donating raffle prizes, Haymans Butchers, Vinnicombes Bakers and Confectioners, Ian Winchester and Sons and Sidmouth Surf Life Saving Club for all their help. Photos from the event can be views at the club website https://sites.google.com/site/sidmouthgig/home.

Anyone interested in joining the Sidmouth Gig Club can simply pop along to the club’s Friday night sessions at 6pm for a trial row.