Brixham delivered a scorcher for this year’s regatta, with clear skies and sunshine setting the tone for
a full day of racing. The event was impressively well organised and drew a strong turnout, with clubs
from across the region making the most of the stunning coastal setting, I was a kid the last time I went
to Brixham and had forgotten how great the place and vibe is, I’ll be back next year (hopefully!).
The regatta marked two firsts for Bristol: It was Arunas’ first regatta and Pollys first championship
regatta, with both turning in impressive efforts in their races.
It was also my first time in stroke for a championship and we were up first in open heat 1 – it was a
great lesson in “it’s the taking part that counts” and whilst we came last (10th) in that race after a good,
light-hearted chat on the beach we had a new race plan. We then raced in the open shield final coming
5th just over a minute quicker than our first race with smiles all around.
The women’s crew was up in heat and fought an impressive battle with Fowey B coming in at 10th
place, holding them off with a big finish. In the bowl cup final, the crew improved their time finishing
in 10th place and gave another strong finish, keeping Bridport B firmly behind them.
It was a brilliant day and full of laughs, cake, and team spirit and after both crew’s dip in the sea to
cool off, it was finals time with Caradon a Women and Appledore A Open crews both celebrated their
Vets Championship wins.
What I learnt from the regatta:
1. Don’t give up – it didn’t feel good coming last in our 1st race, and it would be easy to let that
get in your head. But the crew came together, discussed what we needed to change and went
out again with a renewed energy.
2. Bristol is a great, supportive, and social club, so if you’re a first timer or nervous then please
give it a go and try, you’ll have the best time.
3. Check on a map that the B&B listed in Brixham is actually in Brixham.
4. I can eat 3 cakes in a day.
5. The sea is very wet.
Bristol Gig Club 