Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club held their annual gig regatta on Sunday - with clubs attending from all over Devon. Spectators and supporters lined the sea wall below the Salcombe Yacht club to watch crews battle it out on the start line.

Spectators were able to enjoy a barbecue and refreshments whilst watching the racing - with club members manning the refreshment stall (expertly managed by regatta organiser Jill Bremer and her team) in between their races.

The coxes meeting took place at midday under cloudy skies, but as the racing began the sun shone and a stiff breeze kicked in to make rowing up the estuary a tough first leg. Crews from Dartmouth, Teignmouth, Torridge, Paignton, Tamar & Tavy, Ilfracombe, Appledore and a scratch crew from Caradon took to the water for the Mens B race - this turned into a battle between Caradon, who fielded a mixed crew plus guest rower Jason Edwards from Salcombe, and the Salcombe B Crew rowing in Bolt. It was a close race for the two top teams with past world champions Caradon taking line honours only to be disqualified for having A team rowers in the boat. The Salcombe A crew were coxed by Madie Steer and were Dave Pollard, Max Pedrick Sam West, Simon Hurrell, James Mullet, Martin Jarvis.

Other results saw Caradon winning the Mens A race with a mixed crew. The Ladies A race was a close call between Teignmouth and Salcombe - with the home team taking the lead from the start and round the marks, they held off Teignmouth who then tried some dirty tactics by ramming Salcombe's rudder and barging the stroke side oars - which meant that Salcombe had to stop rowing. At this point Teignmouth rowed ahead and crossed the line first much to the disappointment of the Salcombe team  (who were expertly coxed by Anna Johnstone) - the members of the team were Kate Holcombe, Sophie Clayton, Kate West, Madie Steer, Fo Flew and Justine Slade.

The Ladies B race was won by Torridge and the Ladies C race by Ilfracombe.

With the wind picking up, the valiant Junior teams took to the water and rowed magnificently with Torridge winning the U16s and Salcombe winning the U14s - a tremendous effort from the younger members of the club.

It was the home team that dominated the Vets racing too - with Salcombe winning both the Ladies and the Mens Vets' races - a testament to the hard work of both rowers and coaches.

The day was rounded off with a prize giving and a vote of thanks to Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club for organising such a successful event. 

 

For more info on Salcombe Gig club go to www.salcomberowing.co.uk.