The Tribute National County Championships

09 Jun The Tribute National County Championships

This was a brand new event, launched by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association in order to align themselves with all the other mainstream GB sports, and to push for greater recognition for gig rowing. 

The sport of Pilot Gig racing now covers 10 Counties, and is expanding both in the UK and overseas. This was the first time that rowers had had the honour of representing their home Counties, as opposed to just their Club. Each county selected their strongest crews, and sought representatives from each of their constituent Clubs to take part in Under 18’s, Men’s and Ladies’ Vets and Men’s and Ladies Open races. 

Clifton Gig Club joined forces with their much bigger neighbouring club, Bristol. Selections got under way, followed by a few training sessions with our new County crews and Coxes. Terrey, Debs and Nina from Clifton were selected to join Hayla, Caroline and Becks from Bristol as the Ladies’ crew. Steve and Fraser from Clifton were selected for the Men’s’ crew.

Initially intending to enter both the Open and the Vets races, it became clear that this would not be possible. This was because our Open and Vets’ crews were essentially one and the same (one of the downsides of being a fairly new club) – and the format of the racing would mean that both races could be out on the water at the same time.

The racing took place alongside the Mixed Championships at Caradon, The kite-shaped course started and finished under the Tamar Bridge, running upriver towards the Tavy. 

Having spent what seemed an eternity waiting for our race, the Ladies’ crew were suddenly faced with two disasters at the last minute: both their oars and their Cox were already halfway around the course! As the other Ladies’ crews were starting to line up, we were still on the Green. Luckily, Mike from Bristol stepped in to the breach as Cox, and we were told to take the Men’s’ oars. As we were making our way down the pontoon, we heard the announcement: ‘Bristol Ladies have WITHDRAWN from this race!’ ‘NOOOOOO!’ we cried, as we jumped into our borrowed boat (Helford’s ‘Pedn Billy’). There was scarcely time to turn around and we were off!

Not the best start to a race, but we rowed our hearts out and quickly overtook Somerset’s boat. There was no catching Cornwall or Devon, though: so we finished a respectable third.

The Men’s race was next; we were up against fierce opposition. Again, we soon left Somerset behind us, but with Cornwall and Devon looking strong, our Bristol Cox pulled out a demon manoeuvre around the first mark, slipping through on the inside past Devon, and into second place. We held position for the remainder of the course and finished second behind the Champions, Cornwall – an amazing result.

What an opportunity for our rowers to get in there and compete amongst some of the best rowers in the sport. And we did ourselves proud! Go Clifton!