Junior rowers make waves on world stage

Tamar & Tavy Gig Rowing Club’s juniors have made waves with a top-five finish at the Junior International Gig Rowing Championships in Plymouth.

The Cornish Pilot Gig Association junior championships (on Sunday, October 11), now in its second year, saw young rowers of all ages and categories up to 16, compete against each other.

Mixed crews of boys and girls from different clubs are allowed in order to help promote wider participation. The event is hosted at Queen Anne’s Battery by Plymouth’s new Coxside Gig Club.

Tamar & Tavy Gig Rowing Club’s U16 junior crew, based at Weir Quay, Bere Ferrers, achieved a remarkable milestone this week, cementing their place among the elite by finishing fifth overall in the world and securing second place among U16 ‘free crews’ (where crews and rowing order is flexible).

Club committee member Jacqui Holdstock said: “What makes their final appearance truly extraordinary is the age of the team. With only one rower over the age of 14, the young squad went head-to-head against significantly older, larger crews, demonstrating exceptional grit and skill beyond their years.

“Special credit goes to coxswain Elliott Overnell, whose relentless hard work and sharp leadership under pressure kept the crew on course throughout the competition. Adding to the team spirit on the bank, junior captain Natasha Medhurst spent her birthday cheering the crew through every heat and final.

“With such talent emerging, the future looks exceptionally bright for Tamar & Tavy Gig Rowing Club juniors.”

If anyone is interested in joining the Tamar & Tavy GRC, the club is always looking for new talent aged 12 years and over. To learn more or give gig rowing a try, find T&T on social media or get in touch via email at [email protected]