THE annual Under 14's Pilot Gig Rowing Championships took place this weekend at Copperhouse Pool in Hayle.

Calstock Rowing Club entered a crew of six under 14s and although the crew had only been in a gig once before they were all really looking forward to the challenge.

The crew of Martha Roberts, Willow Harman, David Scoles, Evie Reynolds, Grace Murray, Kate Bradley and Ali Trotter (cox), left Calstock at 7am on Sunday morning with a set of oars and pins kindly lent by Cattewater Gig Club to take their place amoungst 28 other South West crews.

The first round saw Calstock in the gig called 'Rose of Cadgwith' against the crew from Charlestown, Calstock pulled a length clear from the other crew in 'Isis' and stayed there for the length of the race.

This result put them into the second round where they were to row against Caradon B and Helford B. For this race the Calstock crew were in the Caradon gig ' Mary Newman', the gig which they had competed in at Rock for their first ever row in a gig, they also won the race at Rock so they were ecstatic to be rowing in her again.

Calstock thundered off the start and were three to four lengths clear by the mid way point. Cox Ali Trotter told the crew to throttle back and save energy for the quarter finals which they did but still won by a comfortable margin.

The quarter final draw saw Calstock pitted against Cadgwith B and Mounts Bay. The race saw Calstock rowing the Porthleven gig 'St Elvan' . From the start Calstock took a length lead on the other boats and it looked to the spectators that a semi final spot was in the bag. Unfortunately a number of the crew caught 'crabs' in the second half of the race. This loss of momentum meant Calstock dropped back to last in their heat and try though they did they could not overhaul the other two crews finishing half a length behind the winners Cadgwith B. All the races were timed and Calstock came a creditable 12th overall for the day, an exceptional effort considering the club does not own a pilot gig or oars and this was only the second time any of the under 14s rowing had had the chance to row in a gig.

The next regatta is Sibleyback Regatta on August 14. Calstock Rowing Club welcomes members from anywhere in the local area and from ages eight and up.