Gig Rowers Gather for Mixed Championships in SaltashGig Rowers Gather for Mixed Championships in Saltash On Saturday, July 13, 2024, gig rowers from across the country converged in Saltash for the annual Mixed Championships, organized by Caradon Gig Club as part of the Saltash Regatta. Over 600 rowers representing 100 teams took to the Tamar River, each consisting of three men, three women, and a coxswain. Claire Tripp of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association highlighted the unique aspect of mixed rowing, where men and women compete together, sometimes surprising results emerged as fathers and daughters or husbands and wives shared boats. Tripp emphasized the crucial role of combining rowing techniques, given the different styles employed by men and women. She hailed the event as a testament to the sport’s inclusive nature, providing an opportunity for the community to come together. What is Gig Rowing? Pilot gigs are wooden six-oared boats traditionally used by pilots to reach incoming ships. The racing tradition evolved as the first pilot to board a ship secured the job. All modern gigs adhere to the dimensions of the “Treffry” gig built in 1838 by Peters of St Mawes. Event Highlights Steve Kent, co-founder of Caradon Gig Club, praised the organizing efforts and the club’s collective involvement. He acknowledged the departure from all-male rowing in mixed races and shared his personal experience rowing alongside his wife and daughters. Cornish Pilot Gigs are 9.8-meter-long wooden boats steered by a coxswain and rowed by a crew of six. The sport has gained popularity, with approximately 8,000 rowers and 90 clubs across the UK, Europe, and America. Tripp attributed the event’s success partly to funding from the Good Growth Fund, which has allocated £137 million to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for local investment until March 2025. Additional Stories about Gig Rowing A section on the page provides links to other news and stories related to gig rowing.
Image caption, Each team consists of three men, three women and a helmsman
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Gigroeiters from across the country gathered in Saltash for the 2024 Mixed Championships.
More than 600 rowers took part in the event on Saturday, organised by Caradon Gig Club as part of the Saltash Regatta.
They consisted of 100 teams of three men, three women and a coxswain, who competed against each other on the Tamar River, the club said.
Claire Tripp of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association said: “Gig growing is one of the few sports where men and women can compete together.”
Image caption, More than 100 teams competed during the event
She added: “This format sometimes produces surprising results and can mean fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, and even husbands, are in the same boat.”
She said the differences in rowing style between men and women mean victory can depend on the ability to ‘combine techniques’.
She said the event was a “great community show” and a “wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together”.
Image caption, Claire Tripp said the mixed teams could produce surprising results
What is gigo-growing?
Pilot gigs are wooden six-oared rowing boats used for recreational and competitive rowing.
From the 18th century onwards, dinghies were used to transport pilots to visiting ships.
The racing tradition began when the first pilot who could land on the ship was given the job.
All modern gigs are built to the dimensions of one gig – Treffry – built in 1838 by Peters of St Mawes.
Steve Kent, one of the founders of the Caradon Gig Club in Saltash, said the event had been “two weeks of hard work” and had been “a whole club effort”.
He said mixed races were “a change” from all-male rowing.
“I row with my daughters and my wife. And we don’t argue that often, which is great.”
Cornish Pilot Gigs are 9.8 metre long, open wooden boats, rowed by a crew of six and steered by a coxswain.
There are now approximately 8,000 rowers spread across 90 clubs in the UK, Europe and America.
Ms Tripps said the event had benefited from the Good Growth Fund, which has seen Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly allocated £137 million by the government for local investment up to March 2025.
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