The Journey (Lisa)
What could possibly go wrong? Hundreds of gig rowers heading to a small island shrouded in fog … ferries and flights … cancellations coming in thick and fast. Somehow, and I still can’t work it out, I snuck onto the only helicopter that flew on the Friday – visibility was limited fog was rolling so wasn’t surprised when the pilot said he wouldn’t be returning to Penzance! I feel it added to the level of excitement just getting there felt like an achievement in itself – the levels rowers and spectators went to was admirable – being dropped off by a fishing boat at a remote end of Tresco in the dark deserved a perseverance prize!
The Accommodation (Becs)
Standing stones, not that we saw any, is “really easy” to find…apart from for us if you manage to take one of the other 3 roads on the island…. but we found it! A dreamy little spot. Your stay at standing stones would not be complete without big veg chilli on the Saturday night:- For which you will need 2 packets of veggie mince, cheddar and rice ordered from coop a few nights before we arrived, 2 cans of beans in number 2s luggage, 2 tins of chopped tomatoes in number 1s luggage plus a spice mix in number 6s bag. It’s all about the food really, we are in training after all, we are rowers now at the world championships. The best thing about the chilli is it can be enjoyed twice like after we have navigated our way home from mermaids on the Sunday night at 3am. Awaking to cheese and chilli all over the kitchen on the Sunday morning. It’s not all about getting those dinners in on the Friday and Saturday evening with your crew. You need to be thinking about a good gig rowers’ breakfast: – Eggs from the chickens in the garden that overlooks the sea, poached. Toast, butter, porridge, bananas, peanut butter, marmalade – not necessarily in that order. We are rowers so it means we can eat twice as much especially on race days!! The amount of seating options is overwhelming and i made sure i sat in them all. You can eat your chilli on the balcony, at the dining room table, on the sofa, at the breakfast bar, in the sitting area, in your bed the possibilities are endless.
The Aggy Race (Antonia)
With 10 weeks of training under our oars, we were as ready as we were ever going to be. Repeating as a crew “just row like we do in the harbour but keep it long…and strong…and in time”.
With our race heads on, we began the (very long) row to the start line. The gigs approached in the masses, disappearing and reappearing in the sea mist. It really did feel like we were rowing out to war.
Trying to keep our nerves at bay “we’ve got this!”, our goals shifting from beating last year’s C crew to “let’s just not come last!”. After a what seemed like literal hours, we arrived at our starting section. A couple of practice starts, and we were turning the gig around, tapping up to our berth for the countdown for our first race at the World Championships. 5 minutes, tap up, 2 minutes, hold water, 1 minute, listen to Lydia, heads in the boat, tips on water, 10 seconds, listen to Lydia… “GET SET… GO!!!”
“Drive off the legs, swing, bodies in the bow”.
“Breath for 5…NOW GIVE ME 20 HARD ONES..”
“You’re at SS Great Britain!!! last stretch NOW”.
“I can see the finish line, you’ve got this”.
The waves were slightly bumpier than we would have liked, and it took all our effort to find water and drive through it. From bow side, we really couldn’t see much but was assured that we had a few boats behind us on stroke side! Our race cox Lydia championing us on the entire time!
Nut Rock Races
After the Aggy came the Nut Rock races, which saw smaller numbers of gigs racing in each group. The Nut Rock races were shorter in distance but no less fierce in competition! The conditions of the water were calmer on this stretch of sea which gave us some confidence that we could put all our efforts into it.
On our row to the start, Lydia took us through the racecourse, the White Rock is 2 minutes till the finish. Look out for the White Rock.
We arrived at the start with time for a couple of practice starts and rate builds. But soon enough it was time to get in line. We took a moment to take in the sheer scale of the competition, it was amazing to see the gigs arrive in the masses, you could sense the adrenaline and anticipation of all the crews. The sea mist adding to the drama!
2, 5, 10!!! We had a great start, and the waters were almost like harbour conditions (on a windy day), we worked as a crew, driving from the legs, holding the finish. We could feel the boat move! This is what we have been training for!!
The Final and Raft Up
Somehow it was Sunday, all feeling a little weary but with the excitement and adrenaline we were ready. The sea mist had cleared, and the sun was shining for our final race of the weekend.
After a bout of severe cramp for seat 4 (thanks to the paramedic for assisting) and a bandaged up swollen (…broken??) hand for seat 5, we were on the row out to the start line for the last time.
2,5,10! Another good start! Leave it all in the boat, this is the last race, let’s give it all we have! The race was tight, and we kept in the middle of the pack the whole way, made harder from the bow waves from the very close spectator boats!
We rowed straight from the finish line into the raft up, tying all the gigs together side by side with our friendly competitors. We shouted and sang, laughed, and cried and cracked open a few bottles of champagne tins of cider. Raising our oars and drinks to toast an incredible weekend of gig racing!
The Festivities (Lotte)
And just like that, months of preparation and training were over. Following a raucous raft-up, we paddled our way back to the beach, pulling Watch and Pray ashore for the last time. Phew. Time for beers. St Mary’s Gig Club bar happily obliged, and we enjoyed a cold pint or two on the beach in the sun, before a feast of fish and chips.
The podium was pumping out some tunes, egging the party on…. Next year, we told ourselves!
The Atlantic, the biggest pub on the island, was packed to the rafters with rowers revelling in their achievements. A night of dancing and singing followed, with guest appearances from Octavia who was interviewed for the BBC, and a rather half-hearted boat race with the Looe lads… You may have killed us on the water, but on dry land we’ll av ya! And we can confirm… those medals are real!
An amble onto The Mermaid came later on, for a spot of piano dancing and conch playing, all fuelled by lashings of rum.
Finally we dragged our tired bods home and up the hill, back to Scotland for a snooze!
An extended holiday
The islands are truly stunning and with a few days left to spare, those that were left did some exploring… A walk around St Martin’s to see the flora and fauna, stopping for an immense lunch in a beautiful pub garden. As well as a jolly around St Mary’s in a golf buggy, stopping off at gin distilleries, art galleries, orchards and for a cream tea. Bliss.
Finally it was time to head home. All of us leaving with a little taste of island life. We’ll be back!
Bristol Gig Club 