MEMBERS from the Tamar and Tavy Gig Club based at Weir Quay have just completed the four biggest challenges the club has ever faced.
The first, the Plymouth Midnight Walk in aid of St.Lukes Hospice last month saw nine Tamar and Tavy Ladies — Ruth Walker, Viv Barnes, Jo Cameron, Tricia Stewart Loveday Fethney, Debby Vojkovic, Jane Morton, Carolyn and Jemma Dawe — opt for the 26 mile route and they finished in a respectable time of seven hours 11 minutes — raising £700 so far for the Hospice.
Also last month, and in glorious sunshine in North Devon, a mixed crew — cox Andy Morton, Jo Cameron, Jane Morton, Simon Brownley, John Rogers, Ruth Walker, Mike Vosper — took part in the Clovelly Gig row to Lundy, a round trip of 32 Miles.
On August 15 two teams from the club undertook the infamous Eddystone Challenge off Plymouth, an arduous 26 mile row from Mountbatten Pier to the Eddystone Lighthouse and back.
On September 5, a veteran crew — cox John Rogers, Jo Cameron, Rob Dawe, Alan Perrett, Cris Parry, Santosh Chakrabarti, Martin Painter and Tricia Stewart — competed in the Great London River Race, a 22 mile race from Docklands to Richmond in a commendable time of 2hrs 39mins.
Nearly 300 vessels took part, the winner taking just 2hrs 8 mins to finish and the last boat coming over the line in 5hrs 29mins.
The club is friendly and inclusive and welcome all newcomers — details at http://www.tamarandtavygigclub.co.uk">www.tamarandtavygigclub.co.uk