Rowers head to ‘blooming marvellous’ gig championships in Scilly

Experienced gig-rowers and first-timers are making their way to the Isles of Scilly for the World Pilot Gig Championships.

The first competitive race takes place on Friday evening, with dozens more in a series of races between 2 and 4 May off the coast of St Mary’s.

More than 450 crews will take part in the event with teams from the Netherlands, USA and across the UK.

Katy Barczok from River Teign Rowing Club, Teignmouth, said: “If you love rowing it’s the place to be…there are thousands of rowers that are like-minded and want to have fun… it’s blooming marvellous to be honest.”

Ms Barczok said the event had “a fantastic vibe about it”.

“It’s such a buzz”, she said.

“You can’t go out to a beautiful island like that, row beautiful craft and not have fun and join in.”

Coxwain William Faull, 72, coxes the women’s masters team, which is for rowers over 60.

He said: “I coxed four races over on Scilly last year and I found it more mentally and physically draining than actually rowing.”

Abby Long, who competes with Pendeen Rowing Club’s junior team, said her first rowing session was “awful” before she “fell in love with it”.

“There’s a huge scene for gig rowing for young people, it’s often associated with people who are older but young people enjoy it too,” she said.

Dan Mugglestone is a rower with Pendeen and coaches the junior team from their base in Newlyn.

He said some teams were “almost semi-pro”, while other teams were there “just to hang on”.

“But because it’s divided into divisions everyone gets to race with another crew of a similar level.

“There’s nothing worse than being last by half a mile, but if you’re behind by half a metre, and the cox asks for a big effort the crew are going to give it everything,” he said.