TAMAR and Tavy Ladies took part in the Helford River Gig regatta on Saturday.

Despite a 6am start to get the boat from Weir Quay all the way to Helford Passage the ladies had an enjoyable and successful day on this stunning river.

The calibre of crews entering this regatta was high with many top Cornish clubs using it as training for the upcoming World Championships in the Isles of Scilly. Rowers coped with rain, hail and even some sunshine and the T and T ladies battled against the strong wind and tide to finish a superb 11th out of 17.

New rowers Charity Phillips and Helen Attrill did particularly well on this arduous course in difficult conditions. The more experienced Lynn Renton (stroke oar), Sandra Anstey, Wendy Maclean and Heidi Brodribb as always had an excellent row and were glad to have this race under their belt in readiness for the championships.

Jo Cameron coxed a good race, keeping the crew out of trouble when several boats battled for space.

This was another great day for Tamar and Tavy Gig Club.

COTEHELE Quay Gig Club's team spirit shone through as rowers came together to form four scratch crews for the Helford Regatta.

Its ladies' veterans came in a credible ninth out of 14 with a time of 21 minutes 49 seconds. Men's vets were a man down, so Jade Farrington went straight back out for another 1.59 nautical mile race and Rosie Greaves made her race coxing debut.

Rosie said: 'I don't think I will ever have such difficult conditions to cox in again. A hail storm lashed the crew's backs and stopped me seeing where I was going. Fortunately the course didn't involve any buoy turns and we made it over the finish line seventh out of 11 with a time of 20:42 minutes despite a few zig zags.'

It was then the ladies turn. A failure meant the starter was unable to record times for the race, but Cotehele crossed the line 14th out of 17, 6.39mins after the winners.

Men's A were minus two of their crew leaving Dave Clarke to step in and Tony Johnston to row again having already been pounded by hail as part of the men's vets crew. Two broken stretchers conspired against them, but they persevered and sheer determination and will power got them up to 11th out of 20 with a time of 17mins 55secs.