Gig racing has been mentioned recently as the world's fastest growing sport — but locally, success has indeed been quick. The first gig club to take to the muddy waters of the Tamar was the newly formed Tamar and Tavy Gig Club just over five years ago, now boasting two magnificent boats built by local craftsman Brian Knobbs at his workshops near Lifton. They have been named 'Ginette' and, aptly, 'Tamar'. And last year saw one of the oldest rowing clubs on the river, Calstock Rowing Club, purchase their first Pilot Gig 'Zeus'. Calstock has also secured sponsorship from two local companies with rowing members Keith Ingram's Interfluid Hydraulics Ltd, who sponsor the rowing club, along with ­ Adam Maunder's company, Dartmoor and Tamar Joinery. More than 90 rowers and supporters went to the Scillies for the event to support both Calstock and Tamar and Tavy, and saw the Calstock Ladies' team compete well, winning their grouping and bringing home a magnificent glass award for the trophy cabinet back home in Calstock. Tamar and Tavy were also well supported with well over 45 rowers and helpers doing their best to bring back both 'Ginette' and 'Tamar' with great results. All the teams rowed magnificently, with many victories pushing them into the harder groupings along the way, but Tamar and Tavy were unable to win any of their final races. The weekend's competition started with four massive races: St Agnes back to St Mary's, a distance of more than two miles, and each race sees over 100 gigs joggling for a good position on the start line of the choppy waters off one of the smaller of the islands in the archipelago. These seeding races for men's, ladies and veterans, determine which grouping of 12 boats the gigs will now compete in over the next two days of racing. If you win or come second you go up into the higher grouping, or come 11th or 12th and you descend to a lower level. All boats and crews worked hard to improve their rating until the final races from Nut Rock off Tresco for the straight row across 'The Road', the slightly more sheltered waters between the islands, to the chequered flag on the quayside back in Hugh Town on St Mary's. The event was a huge success with all teams improving on last year's results. See next week's Times for full reports from the clubs and more pictures.