Saturday, July 26, was a momentous day in the history of Calstock Rowing Club as it had five big firsts to celebrate.

The club's Gig crews attended the second Tribute event of the year, in the picturesque location, of Cawsand, on the Rame Peninsula.

The men's A crew finished in 10th place, which was nothing but spectacular, as the crew finished above several top 12 finishers from the World Pilot Gig Championships in May this year.

The governing body of the sport of Gig racing, the CPGA, run three events known as Tribute events throughout the season.

These events are where clubs win points towards a league system, which decides a championship at the end of the year.

The 10th place finish puts the crew into the elite group of the A heat, for the next and last Tribute event at Mevagissey, currently scheduled for August.

There are over 55 clubs, and more than 100 gigs, so this puts the Calstock crew in the top 20% in the UK — a huge first for the club.

Such has been the growth in membership in 2008, currently standing at 94 members, the club for the first time managed to put out not one but three men's crews at this event - the second big first of the day for the club.

The ladies A crew won their heat by some 10 lengths although in the third heat, the ladies finished 15th overall! This was the third first of the day for the club. 

Much of this is due to the extra training the crew has been carrying out, as the ladies have entered for the gruelling Eddystone Challenge on August 16.

This is a 40km race, from Mountbatten in Plymouth to the Eddystone Lighthouse and back. This can take between six and seven hours, if the weather is poor, and is a monumental test of strength and endurance.

Two more firsts were the inclusion of U16 and U14 Gig crews.

Calstock operates its fleet of Flatboats, and as many as 70 people train and race in these throughout the season. After some strict training over the summer, the two crews have been readied for racing the club's Pilot Gig Zeus.

The club now has the ability to field crews in all categories, of all types of Gig racing in the UK. The U14 and U16 crews finished in a credible middle placing (full results unavailable at time of going to press).

This was a fantastic effort in their first Gig races.   

Crews were also entered in the ladies and men's veterans, as well as a mixed race, and all crews did well.

The club is holding its annual Flashboat regatta this year on August 9 and 10.

This historic event can trace its roots back to 1892. Again this year, this co-incides with the bike show.

Along with the rowing, there is live music, some great sights with the bikes and good stalls, and of  course food and beer! For more details, see http://www.calstockrowingclub.co.uk">www.calstockrowingclub.co.uk, and http://www.calstockbikeshow.org">www.calstockbikeshow.org

Following this on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, a fun Raft Race is planned - more detail will soon be on http://www.calstockrowingclub.co.uk">www.calstockrowingclub.co.uk.

Mark Reynolds, chairman of Calstock Rowing Club, said: 'Calstock Rowing Club is a friendly, social and active club, with members from age 10, (younger members need to be in school year six or above) up to over 60.

If you want to join, simply turn up between 5pm and 7pm on Tuesdays or Thursday, on the quay at Calstock, where we hold club nights and have a chat. Alternatively, contact us through our website.'