Sunshine, tears, amazing camaraderie, laughter and friendships pretty much sum up my first experience of the World Pilot Gig Championships but hey that doesn’t make an interesting read so here’s a bit more…..
As with all good stories (fingers crossed my words do this justice now) let’s start at the beginning. Last March I started my gig rowing journey. It was one where I would hope I would get fitter – tick, make new friends – tick and maybe have a go at a competition or two – tick, tick. Never would I have thought that less than 18 months later I would have made it to the World Championship.
Back in the depths of dark nights and mornings, I signed myself up for the selection rows, always knowing I still had lots to learn and much perfecting of technique to do but thought hey,even if I don’t get selected I have rowed with people I wouldn’t normally row with and it will be a good experience. Well I guess I surprised myself. Yes ok you do have to do a 12 min erg time and unless you are like Klara (our amazing Atlantic rower) it’s a love hate thing but woohoo my time was not horrendous. Anyway I got selected (yes I am as surprised as you..lol)and it was in seat 2. Stroke side was my nemesis but I had 12 weeks to crack it and whilst now I look back and think how far I have come there’s still plenty of learning to go.
12 weeks of training with a bout of Covid in the middle for good measure bought me new friends within the boat, cemented old relationships and new respect for all those who tirelessly work behind the scenes of the club to make sure all things involved in competitions happen. Massive thanks to everyone.
Anyway race weekend is descending. As it’s my first year and hell why not, I get the helicopter onto St Marys. An amazing experience and over as quickly as it started. I land with some fellow rowers to the most amazing weather having left rainy Penzance a distant memory. For those old enough to remember it was like entering an episode of lost…
First impressions of the island was wow. The weather, the beaches, everyone in high spirits. Just wonderful. I went from Thursday to Monday and as I was racing in the Vets competition had to pace myself on the Thursday to ensure I was race ready on the Friday. Thursday evening my crew went for a row out to sea, thank goodness we did as there was quite a swell, at times it was like being on a water ride at Alton Towers with the splash but I think it helped steady us in preparation for the race on Friday.
Friday morning came and nerves had started to creep in but high spirits when the crew all got together. Chief Hairdresser Karen braided my hair with Bristol Blue Ribbon. Good luck charms worn (thanks Kate Rule) and wristbands at the ready we got into our boat and launched. For those unfamiliar with the racing the Vets and Supervets do 2 races, a long one and a short one. Everyone in the category starts together in the long race and depending where you come you are put into heats for the following race.
We set off to the start line and the emotions get the better of me. I don’t fit into the traditional aesthetic of a sports person, never really enjoyed sports but always gave it a go and then I found Gig rowing. It truly has opened my eyes to another world and just thinking how far I have come I rowed out to the start line tears rolling down my cheeks.
Start line approaches and we ready ourselves. All boats are lined up and we get the call from our cox one up, one up. OMG the emotions are really coming now and poor Karen in front of me has to cope with hearing me sob as I hear the words GO – we are off. Sobbing is soon subdued by a clash with the boat next to us. Poor Lucy in 4 has her oar under the gig next door, is then promptly catapulted off her seat but recovers quickly as do I. As a crew we put all our effort into the race and are elated that we come 29th out of 43. My mottos (probably not that of most competitors) is not to come last or let my team down and I think we can all say we did none of those things. Having the rest of the clubs women out on the spectators boats also cheering us on really helped.
Following that race we had a few hours to cheer on our other club rowers before our time was due for the next race. Our aim to improve our position. This time we left shore in a much more composed state and before we new it were racing again. This was a tight battle in heat C and we were fighting to come 2nd. Pipped at the post but pleased with a 3rd place we had improved our position and finished a respectable 27th. Happy with that.
The rest of the weekend was amazing, cheering our women’s crews on from the spectator boat was a great experience, especially as I managed to get most of the boat cheering for Bristol! For the rest of the races the Friday crews became the cheer squad, making sure we could share our energy with all those going out to race and congratulating everyone when they came back to shore. I think a few of the other clubs stole our tactics but hey it is a skill I am happy to share.
Everyone rowed their socks off all weekend, there were cheers, there were tears but what a weekend and something I am so proud to have been a part of and am in awe as to how well everyone did. Once all the racing was finished, that’s where it gets hazy but I am assured by others that we all had a great time. Shots were bought – again hazy, pints where downed (soz if I pinched yours), Shantys were sung (sorry I have lots of words to learn) and new friends made.
Monday morning and remarkably I escaped relatively hangover free. A beautiful row over to the island of St Martins sorted me out. Pub lunch, ferry back, missed helicopter, but finally with a bump made it back to Penzance Monday night. (speeding ticket also gained…….)
What a remarkable weekend, thank you to everyone who supported the journey, gave their time to cheer, cox, coach, wingman and be all round excellent. You truly are an awesome bunch. For those thinking of going next year, go for longer. It is a place I would love to explore more of and hope to do so in future years.
Bristol Gig Club 