Under 16 Gig Championships 2013

A total of 22 crews took to the water at Newquay on Sunday 4^th August to contest the 2013 Under 16 Gig Championships. In contrast to the previous days bright sunshine, the rain came down but a favourable wind made for fair sea conditions for the young rowers.

Several strong crews were fielded from all over the South West, looking to take the title from 2012 winners Cadgwith. This year there was a noticeable increase in the number of girls competing, with several all girls crews competing for the female trophy. Cadgwith took this title for the second year running when their girls crew finished 11^th overall after coming 3^rd in the plate final. Cotehele Quay finished 7^th overall to win the mixed shield which must see 3 male and 3 female rowers in the team. Coverack B took the plate race cup home. This year also saw some strong B crew performances with Caradon and Cadgwith finishing 5^th and 6^th respectively after facing each other in both the quarter and the semi finals.

There were no surprises in the final line up with strong junior clubs Caradon, Cadgwith, Fowey and Coverack making the 4 boat final, after fielding strong crews consistently this season. Caradon and Cadgwith had faced each other in the previous two races with Caradon posting the fastest times in each round. After a strong start from all crews, Cadgwith and Caradon - 1^st and 2^nd respectively in 2012 - pulled away from the pack, neck and neck up the first leg. Caradon turned first with Cadgwith just behind, Fowey in third and Coverack in 4^th place. Across the second leg which saw a moderate swell, Caradon pulled away, opening their lead before the second mark. They pulled away again down the final leg, finishing the race just over 30 seconds ahead of second placed Cadgwith. Fowey came in third place with their crew of 2 female and 4 male rowers, with Coverack in 4^th place completing the final line up.

2013 Winners Caradon

A good crowd of spectators braved the rain to cheer on the young rowers both from the harbour and the tripper boats - great to see such support for the future of the sport. Thanks to Newquay RC and the CPGA for hosting a great day. The highlight of the day had to be Bridport Gig Club all having great fun warming up on the beach to the ‘Rocky’ theme tune!

The next junior championship is the under 14s on the 25^th August at Hayle Pool.

final results

 

Sportivate Explores Rowing Challenge

To celebrate several successful ‘Sportivate Explores Rowing’ projects in Cornwall over the past 2 years, Cornwall Sports Partnership sponsored a ‘Sportivate Challenge’ at this years Looe Regatta. This involved a separate race ran by Looe Rowing Club, who have themselves run several successful learn to row courses which now has seen a boost in their young membership base. The challenge involved a race with 2 buoy turns, for 14-25 year olds, aimed at those who were new to rowing. This involved many participants who have got in to the sport through Sportivate projects ran at their club. Crews from Devon and Cornwall competed, including a composite crew made up from several clubs. Boats competing were from Looe (2), Cotehele Quay, Brixham, Rame and Caradon. Caradon took the prize for top placed genuine 14-25 mixed (3 male, 3 female) crew, Looe won a trophy for the top all female crew and the composite crew took the trophy for the open category.

Sportivate participants

 

Reps from British Rowing and Cornwall Sports Partnership were on hand to promote the Sportivate programme and give out information on how clubs could get involved. All those competing got a Sportivate explores rowing T shirt and it is hoped that the challenge can become an annual event.

For more on Explore Rowing including running your own ‘Learn to Row’ courses: www.explorerowing.org

For more on Sportivate in Cornwall and Cornwall Sports Partnership: www.cornwallsportspartnership.co.uk/sportivate

A gallery of pictures can be found at the Cornwall Sports Partnership facebook page Take me there!

Updated blog

I have made several updates to the blog this week...please feel free to have a browse!

Top three experiences this year so far.....

This year has been a great one for 'firsts', I just wanted to share my top three moments this year:

A world championship medal

This year, after 12 years of rowing Cornish Pilot Gigs, I won my first medal at the World Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly along with my team mates at Caradon Gig Club. After a long hard winter of training 6 days a week our ladies A crew finished in third place, enough for a Bronze medal and a trip up on to the podium with the soundtrack being 'Back in Black' by ACDC! It was a great reward and thanks to my team mates Leanne, Nay, Stacey, Nicola, Rachel and Steve for a great experience.


3rd Place at the World Championships



Crossing over 'to the dark side'

This year I have also got myself in a fine boat, in a double with Sallie Malt who also works in the region. Sallie has been very patient during our early morning outings 'teaching the gig rower how to scull'. We made our debut at Exeter Regatta this year and I enjoyed it immensely. It's been great to be able to have a go at both disciplines and this week I even got let loose in a single....I may have been bitten by the bug....

 

 

A week at Dorney

I took a week off work in June to volunteer at the World Rowing Championships at Dorney. And what a week it was! I was on the photo team for the week and got to spend several days accompanying the photographers and supporting the media team. What an amazing experience! The whole team were great to work with and made me feel so welcome, it gave a great insight in to the organisation of a major rowing competition, and to top it all off, GB were oarsome!

 

A photo I took from the start line - up close and personal!
 

With Alan Campbell after the racing

 







An update summer 2013

There has been a lot of exciting things happening so far in 2013 - here is just a few!!

Whole Sport Plan funding....

Following the successful delivery of the Whole Sport Plan (WSP)2013, Sport England has awarded British Rowing 8.2 million pounds to deliver the next WSP 2013- 17 full report .
The new WSP begins on the 1st April 2013 - this will mean a restructure of how staff and resources are organised, more information on the 'Meet the Team' page for what this means for the South West.

Explore Rowing Pioneer Club funding


In March / April 2013, Flushing and Mylor gig club were successful in securing funding to become an Explore Rowing Pioneer Club. The club have formed a strong partnership with Truro and Penwith College for this project which will see great rowing opportunities for 16-19 year olds in the county. This funding has allowed the club to purchase two new gigs: Flushing and Mylor. The club will work with the college to offer learn to row courses for their students who will then be signposted towards their local gig club.
Flushing and Mylor Gig Club
Truro Penwith College




Truro Penwith college and Flushing & Mylor Gig Club



New facilities open

Both Paignton rowing club and Devoran Gig Club have celebrating the opening of their new facilities. Both have benefitted from capital funds from British Rowings whole sport plan 2009-2013. Paignton also received funds from 'Inspired Facilities' to refurbish their old boathouse. Devoran have erected a new building with support from SITA Cornwall Trust to act as a dry store and a base for their club. Please see the following for a news report on the opening at Devoran, done by Cornish Olympian Annie Vernon: Devoran report



Devoran Gig Shed opening


Cornwall School Games gig competition

For the third year running gig rowing has been included in the Cornwall School Games. 21 crews of 6 rowers from a number of schools across the county headed to Mylor on the 3rd July to compete for their schools. Each of these schools linked to a local club who helped prepare the teams and also coxswained on the day. That's 126 young people competing on the water. The day was ran in partnership with Cornwall Sports Partnership, British Rowing, the CPGA and local clubs. A huge amount of volunteer support was needed to make this a success, so huge thanks to all those involved!



Mullion school win all 4 categories at the School Games



 World Pilot Gig Championships 2013

May bank holiday saw the 24th World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly. Falmouth took on the challenge and sealed yet another double victory taking both the mens and ladies titles. For a full report with pictures please see report

Category	1st	2nd	3rd
Ladies Vet (40+)	Isles of Scilly	Newquay	Rock
Ladies Supervet (50+)	Falmouth	Lyme Regis	Dartmouth
Mens Vet (40+)	Caradon	Flushing and Mylor	Roseland
Mens Supervet (50+)	Helford	Falmouth	Roseland
Ladies	Falmouth	Mounts Bay	Caradon
Mens	Falmouth	Looe	Roseland

Falmouth Ladies crew

Caradon mens veterans