Three Rivers Race, Saltash 2019

02 Mar Three Rivers Race, Saltash 2019

Windy conditions made the going tough when Caradon Gig Club hosted the annual Three Rivers Race. Over 70 gigs competed in both the men’s and ladies’ versions of a race that is as notorious as it is rewarding. Rowing up the Tamar from the Saltash bridges to the mouth of the River Tavy, back down to the mouth of the River Lynher and then back up to the bridges again sounds straightforward. The race, around seven miles long in real terms, is far more of a challenge than it might seem, though.

Covering the distance isn’t the hard part; wind and tides inevitably work for, then against the boats, sometimes driving, sometimes slackening. The change from one to the other can come as a shock. Even without the misery of rain, this event can be a brutal physical and psychological trial. Perhaps that’s why there are so many entries each year! Whether new or established, local or from miles away, every crew would agree that this challenge is perhaps the best way to find out where they really are in terms of progress towards the world championships.

So it proved this year. Looe A and Caradon A were the outstanding crews in the men’s and ladies’ events, finishing in around 47 and 57 minutes respectively. While the Caradon crew purred across the line over one minute ahead of Falmouth, Looe fought to come out on top in a race where only 23 seconds separated the top four finishers. Others may not have finished highly, but will have gained much from knowing that they overcame failing abs, pinging hips or beaten backs to reach the end.

Clifton Results 
Ladies of 76 boats
Ladies A 27^th in Avona
Ladies B 73^rd in Bulldog Spirit
Mens of 74 boats
Mens A 68^th in Avona
Mens B 73^rd in Speculation