A Full week of Local Racing for Bude Gig Club
This week has been manic for Bude Gig Club with 3 local races all falling in the same week.
Monday saw the Appledore and Instow sprints which started at 6pm, so there was a mad dash as everyone left work to get there in time to race. The sprints are a favourite event for the club, usually with great results and this year we were true to form with a 1st in the Mixed (3 men and 3 women) and in the U14’s, we also gained a 2nd in the U18’s, Men’s A, Ladies A and the Ladies B. It was also a great opportunity for some of our newer members and our Wednesday morning members to get a taste of racing.
This was then followed by Clovelly’s Regatta on Saturday, and once our legs had recovered from the steep but stunning walk down through the village another days racing began. We were competing against several clubs which included Boscastle and Crackington, Port Isaac, Appledore, Torridge, Ilfracombe and of course Clovelly, which is always great as many of the club members know each other and so there is a great atmosphere and banter amongst the clubs. We came an overall 4th, gaining a 3rd in the Ladies B and the Ladies Vets (Vets being over 40), 4th in the Men’s B and the Mixed, 5th in the Ladies A.
Sunday then saw our final race for the week, once again at Appledore but this time for their regatta. Many of the crew were starting to ache at this point, also encompassed with the fact that many of the team had also had a very pleasant evening in Bude after the Carnival. However the sun shone, and it was a glorious day, with some superb results. This time the club came 1st in the U14’s and U16’s, 2nd in the Men’s race and the Mixed race, 5th in the Ladies A and B, and the Ladies Vets were given a 7th place after a real tussle on the first corner, which resulted in some defensive coxing.
Although exhausted the club have had a fantastic week of local racing with some fantastic results, which is a great feeling as we near the end of the Gig rowing season.
Cadgwith rowing down the Lizard
Cadgwith was the destination for this weekends Regatta, Bude set of early on Sat morning with Bedehaven their 32ft Gig boat in tow. This weekend they raced with a limited crew as the holiday season seems to have taken hold with a lot of the team either on holiday or involved in the weekend change over. However, for those of the team who were able to make the journey it was a lovely day, in stunning surroundings. The cove is made so picturesque with beautiful thatched cottages and a stunning back drop of rolling hills and clear blue sea’s.
The racing was good as well with our crews being in amongst the action in every race. 18 teams were competing from all over Cornwall, Bude being one of the furthest teams. The Ladies B had an appalling start with major confusion with the starters and although our ladies were in last position at the start they fought hard, fuelled with frustration and passed 6 boats. For the first time this season we did not field a junior crew as most were on holiday or harvesting. The day was finished off with a 6th place in the mixed race, where the crew battled all the way to the finish line to maintain their position.
The crews are still training every Tuesday and Thursday evening and Wednesday mornings, if you would like more information please contact Ads on 0797 440 7276.
An amazing day’s rowing - Bude Under 14 Juniors
Three years ago Bude gig club started up their Junior Section and they have now competed in three U14’s championships. The first year they came second to last with the majority of the crew being Yr 6 and 7. Last year they came 11th which was a huge achievement. However this year they exceeded all expectations by making it to the Semi finals and coming an overall 5th place.
It was an amazing days racing with the team winning their first two heats, then going on to win the quarter final. Twenty eight teams from all over Cornwall and Devon were competing and although the weather was very damp, it did not dampen their determination and fight. Their cox Anthony Denford was so impressed with their drive and focus even when they were tiring in their fourth race of the day. It was a very proud day for cox, coaches, parents and grandparents.
It is also a huge reflection on the success of the club who are a relatively young club in comparison to many of the top clubs in the sport. As a young club we are still developing so the fact the juniors are going from strength to strength, is a real boost to all involved with the club.
The majority of the team still have another season competing as U14’s so we hope they will continue to develop and grow.
The 4th of August will see the U16’s competing in their first championships in Newquay so we wish them lots of luck.
A Damp Day - Torridge and Barnstaples Regatta
After a race free weekend last week Bude Gig Club were back on the race circuit this Sunday, racing in Torridge and Barnstaples 1st Regatta. The racing was held at Instow which was relatively local for our team who have travelled all over Cornwall and Devon this season. The beach at Instow was a lovely spot even though it felt like an autumn day. The rain held off till lunch time but once it started there was no letting up.
Although the weather was not great we once again had some fantastic results competing against several of the North Devon Clubs, including Torridge, Appeldor, Bideford, Barnstable and Ilfracombe. Our Ladies crew came in 2nd, and our mixed crew 3rd. The men had some competitive races with some skilful corners gaining places. Our juniors also had a fantastic day with two first places in the U14’s and the U16’s.
We nearly did not do the mixed race as the weather was so appalling and everyone was soaked, but the team persevered which paid of as their 3rd place brought the club up into an overall 3rd place.
This weekend the team will be competing at Truro on Saturday and our U14’s are competing in their U14 Championships in Hayle on Sunday.
Bude reach Finals at Mixed and Veterans Championship
This weekend was another busy weekend for Bude gig club, with the Mix championships on Saturday and the Vets championships on Sunday, both held at Saltash.
The club were once again blessed with great weather after a week of rain. The mixed crew got proceedings off to a good start on the Saturday, where they qualified to the plate race final after coming 1st in the quarter final and 1st in the semi final. There were a few epic moments where oars and boats clashed making for some exciting racing. The crew then went on to come fourth in the Plate final and although they were close to the boat in front they could not give anymore.
One of the crew said “Its was fantastic being out front in the semi final, especially after such a battle to the first buoy, at one stage I couldn’t get my oar in the water as we fought with one of the other boats”.
Sunday saw the start of the Vets championships, Vets being over 40’s and supper vets over 50. The club entered a Men’s and Ladies crew, and they had a fantastic days rowing, once again fighting with all there heart. They qualified for the Plate Race but were unfortunately knocked out in the quarter final.
So a tiring weekend for all involved, but they’ll be back up the Lake on Tuesday, training and preparing for their next regatta which will be Torridge on the 24th of July.
