THE juniors at Tamar and Tavy Gig Club have made the most of the fine sunny weather to enjoy a busy summer of rowing, both at their home at Weir Quay near Bere Alston and at various regattas and championships across the South West and the South.

The juniors started their season at Easter and regularly row at Weir Quay on Friday evenings until the light starts to fade in September. Along with the adult crews at the club, the juniors have already raced at Looe, Salcombe, Cattewater and Rock.

In July a number of the juniors travelled to Portsmouth to race at a junior only event, organised by Langstone Gig Club in the Langstone Junior Sprints. This event is hosted by the Royal Navy at their sailing centre in Portsmouth’s naval base, and was an extraordinary weekend away.

Juniors, parents and supporters spent the Saturday night at a local campsite and then spent the Sunday at the naval base, with spectators able to watch the racing from the deck of HMS Bristol.

Jonathan Overnell, the club’s junior captain, said: ‘For the rowers, they had a close up view of the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth as they rowed out to the start of their races. The club took a full under-16 crew who rowed superbly with determination to get into their age groups final and came a close second to local rivals Brixham.

‘Even better was the result achieved by Scott Grylls, the club’s only under 14 rower that day.

‘He joined a composite crew with rowers from Bridport and won both of his races to come home with an U14s winners’ medal.

‘The full U14s crew have raced at the biggest event for their age group, the U14 county championships at Hayle and came 15th out of 29 crews, celebrating their success with a cool down in the sea afterwards.

‘Most recently, the U16 crew travelled to Newquay for their county championship and raced against some of the strongest gig clubs from the South West on another hot day.

‘They progressed all the way to the semi-finals to finish ninth overall — it is an excellent achievement.’

The gig rowing season lasts until the end of September with highlights for the junior squad looking forward to racing at Clovelly and the club’s own regatta at Weir Quay.