After a year without rowing, members were eager to get back out on the water
After a year without rowing, members were eager to get back out on the water
After a year without rowing due to Covid restrictions, members of Tamar & Tavy Gig Club were eagerly looking forward to getting back on the water as soon as outdoor sport returned at Easter. The club put robust Covid-secure procedures in place following national guidelines for a safe return to sport, but decided to start slowly with a small number of crews and build up gradually. For once, there was no shortage of volunteers to clean boats and equipment, check safety gear and generally tidy up a boat shed which had been gathering cobwebs for the last year. Although many club members had found different ways to keep up their fitness, others had been wondering whether their rowing kit would still fit, so there were slightly mixed feelings in the run up to the first row! Ladies’ captain, Denise Nixon, took part in the first rowing session on a lovely sunny evening and said: “It was fantastic to be back in the boat with my crew mates, although I know I’m going to ache tomorrow!”
The club had to postpone a planned rowing expedition to the Caledonian Canal in Scotland last summer and missed out on two Scillies World Gig Championships, and many other events which are a big part of the rowing calendar. Club chair, David Egerton, said: “We have worked hard to maintain a sense of club identity over this challenging last year, and it’s great to see crews back together again. Our traditional wooden gigs belong in the water, not in a dusty boat shed, and we’re hoping that racing regattas may eventually return later this summer. Meanwhile, we’re just happy to be back out on the beautiful River Tamar.”
Gig rowing is a team sport, rowing traditional Cornish pilot gigs, and our family-friendly club caters for members from all walks of life, from 12-year-olds to 80plus - no experience is necessary, just enthusiasm. We have weekly rowing sessions for ladies, men, and juniors with organised social rows and excursions further afield. Now more than ever, the benefits to both physical and mental wellbeing of healthy outdoor exercise and a closer connection to nature are really important, so if you are looking for a new challenge, a new way to keep fit, or just want to enjoy the tranquillity and wildlife on the river, why not give gig rowing a try?
Tamar & Tavy Gig Club would love to welcome new members to our purpose built facilities at Weir Quay, and are running free taster sessions this summer where you can just come and have a go. For more information, please see www.tamarandtavygigclub.co.uk or email: info@tamarandtavygigclub.co.uk.