Calstock Rowing Club took part in the Rock Pilot Gig Regatta on Sunday — a gloriously hot and sunny day at Daymer Bay.
Despite the club not currently owning a gig the juniors were keen to go and try their hand at gig rowing have experienced the flashboats of the CRA.
Club chairman Nick Bradley organised through Caradon Gig Club, Cattewater Gig Club and Rock Gig Club for the juniors to be able to row at Rock and to have the necessary kit, all they needed to take was their lifejackets.
The seven U14s juniors came to realise that gigs are 32 foot long and much larger than the 18 foot flashboats they were used to.
Kate Bradley agreed to row with another composite crew made up of rowers from Tamar and Tavy and Nankersey in the Cattewater gig Catalina; the other six rowers, Willow Harman, David Scoles, Becci Ives, Grace Murray, Martha Roberts and Evie Reynolds were in the other crew rowing in the Caradon gig Mary Newman.
As the 10 boats raced to the beach it was clear that Calstock in the Mary Newman coxed by Ali Trotter were doing far better than expected and as they neared the finish line it was clear that they were in a fight for first place with the Rock gig Swift, but Calstock held on to secure a win.
Catalina with the composite crew came in last but cox Sam North said they all rowed exceptionally well and kept time in very difficult conditions. After such a morale boosting victory the juniors are now determined to take part in the U14s championships in Hayle on the July 31 where they will be able to race against all the U14s crews from across Cornwall.
n The next regatta is Trelawney @ Stithians Lake on July 3 with Calstock Regatta and Fete on July 23 and 24. Calstock Rowing Club welcomes members from ages 8 - 80 or more. For more details go to http://www.CalstockRowingClub.co.uk">www.CalstockRowingClub.co.uk