After months of preparation, both on and off the water, Stephen Burnside and a great bunch of guys from Clevedon Pilot Gig Club competed in the 2011 World Pilot Gig Championships in the Scillies. They travelled over and lodged on The Matthew, the replica ship of John Cabot’s America discovering vessel.
Setting sail on Friday morning from Newlyn, Cornwall they arrived in the Scillies after 9 hours under sail and motor. Later that night the Vets race was scheduled to start. This was to be the inaugural competitive race in Clevedon’s brand new Gig, ‘Watch and Pray’. The sea was larger than anything they had seen in the Bristol Channel. The crew of six rowed out to the start under strict guidance of their cox Mike. After much anticipation they were off on their very first race. Every member came past the finish line 20 or so minutes later all hero’s. What a race! What an experience!
Saturday saw a long qualifying race and a shorter race. These bundled all Gig’s into groups depending on where they finished in these two races. Whilst ‘Watch and Pray’ was in the slowest group, they had already taken some scalps and beaten well know Cornish Gig’s. The next day saw a final qualifying race and then in the afternoon the Final. The crew rowed with all their might and bravely came in 123rd in the World. They were not last!!
It was such an amazing weekend, giving all Clevedon members attending the greatest of adventures. Sailing on The Matthew, rowing in the World championships, rowing in huge sea swells and choppy waters, sleeping in authentic bunks on The Matthew and of course a great kangaroo court session with Judge Dread in the galley. Roll on the next Gig event.
