Tamar and Tavy Gig Club continued their preparation for the Pilot Gig World Championships, attending The Dartmouth Regatta this weekend, the last racing before the championships.
Held in good conditions, light winds and clear skies, the rowers took advantage to show how their hard months of training had paid off.
The club entered seven crews, rowing pilot gig Ginette.
Several of the crews had rowers getting their first race experience before The World Championships.
First off were the Ladies B, with three new race rowers - Paula Haynes Parry, Katie R and Hillary Bussell — ably assisted by Viv Barnes, Jo Cameron and Chrissey Venning.
The Men's B crew were up next with new rowers Cris Parry and Peter Gorringe, along with Martin Painter, John Rogers, Santosh Chakrabarti, and Chris Dill.
The Ladies' A crew Carolyn Dawe, Jo Cameron, Tricia Stewart, Loveday Fethney, Viv Barnes and Helen Lloyd rowed well to finish 11.
The Men's A crew, Rae Bullough, Mike Barnes, John Young, Alan Perrett, Tom Sargeant and John Overnall, had the best result of the day finishing eighth.
The Men's Vets crew — Rae Bullough, Peter Clarke, Mike Vosper, Cris Parry, Peter Gorringe and Alistair Monteath - had an unfortunate start with a coming together with the Weymouth Gig. This left them with an unassailable gap between them and the rest of the pack.
The Ladies Vets Crew, with new rowers Frances Gorringe and Pam Bullough, assisted by Maggie Cartwright, Tricia Stewart, Helen Lloyd and Hillary Bussell unfortunately lost out on the final sprint to the line.
A strong crew was entered in the mixed race Rae Bullough, John Overnall, Tom Sargeant, Loveday Fethney, Carolyn Dawe and Chrissey Venning. Despite being pressurized by other Gigs, Cox Martin Painter held his line and nerve, guiding Ginnette to a strong finish in the middle of the pack.
Overall a good regatta for Tamar and Tavy Gig Club, with several new rowers being blooded and the more experienced rowers getting a good work out in time for the world championships.
The club is looking for Concept 2 rowing machines to train with. If anyone has one and would consider selling, loaning, or even donating it to the gig club please contact Mike Barnes on 01822 841410 or email [email protected]">[email protected]
For more information on the club look on its website at http://www.tamarandtavygigclub.co.uk">www.tamarandtavygigclub.co.uk or contact membership secretary Rob Dawe on 01822 840064.