GIG rowing, the fastest growing sport in the south west, had a spectacular weekend. Rock Regatta, one of the highlights on the circuit for spectators and rowers, took place on Sunday, watched by many sun seeking supporters. The festival atmosphere of Daymer Beach soon gave way to Rock's rigorous and ruthless racing. The beat of oars in the thole pins, clashing oars and hollering coxes saw Tamar, Tamar and Tavy Gig Club's new boat, consistently in the thick of the pack. The women's and men's veteran teams both took eighth place. The women's B, in a hard battled race with local rivals Calstock, took 21st place, with new rower this season, Loveday Fethney, making a debut in the powerhouse of the boat. The men's B also saw Andy Morton, Tom Friend and David Goodspeed making their debut for the club with the welcome return of Santosh Chakrabartri after injury. The men's A and women's A teams, again tight in the pack with ferocious tactics from the opposition requiring nifty coxing from Bill Stacy Norris and Peter Clarke, both took 17th place. The day ended with a novelty race in which the Tamar and Tavy team excelled, aided by the presence of runner Carrie Lawson, new member Jane Morton and excellent support from the launch crew, as the teams sprinted down the beach, leapt into the waiting gig, rowed fervently across the Camel Estuary and back while changing shirts before finishing with a sprint back up the beach. In contrast, Saturday saw both the gigs navigating the tranquil upper reaches of the Tamar with a long but leisurely paddle from Weir Quay to the opening of Cothele's new museum and Morwellham's refurbished quay with 34 rowers taking part in the social row. l Those interested in gig rowing locally can gain more information from http://www.tntgc.org.uk">www.tntgc.org.uk Calstock Rowing Club is also going from strength to strength! During the past three weeks the club has attended Gig Regattas at Roseland, Cattewater, and Rock, while its Flashboats have made a strong show at the Polperro and Penryn events. The club has welcomed many new members, and experienced rowers have become better and fitter.  The men's A gig crew achieved a milestone for the club in finishing 1st in the men's A race,  B heat at Roseland. The puts the club in contention with the elite crews. Again, the men's crews rowed magnificently at Rock on Sunday, with the men's A finishing 8th out of 23, and the B crew attaining a superb 4th out of 23.  The ladies' gig crews are also making great progress, with the crews gelling together well, and taking  ninth place out of 21, and the B crew 19th out of 24 at Rock.   At Polperro and Penryn, the Flashboats have attracted more rowers than ever. Flashboat training nights, on Tuesdays and Thursdays are now very busy. Many more adults are taking advantage of this, with record attendances this year. As a result, the results at Polperro and Penryn have been good, with the club well represented in all classes. Crucially, the club is finishing in top 3 positions. This is important, as cumulated points over the season will mean  that the club finishes in an improved position on last year.  l Calstock Rowing Club is open to all, and welcomes new members, for 10 to 60+,  both experienced and inexperienced rowers. New rowers can come along to our training nights on the quay at Calstock, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5.30pm or see its website.