Tamar & Tavy Gig Club19/08/2008
Eddystone Challenge
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TAMAR & TAVY MEN’S VETERAN CREW (AGE 55 +) AND LADIES VETERAN CREW.
ALSO A HUGE THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SPONSORED THE LADIES AND RAISED MONEY FOR THE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE SOUTH WEST. Sponsorship money is still flowing in and the total will be posted on this site.
The conditions on Sat 16th August 2008 were truly horrendous, the organisers of the challenge made the decision to run the event over the contingency course up the Tamar to the Tavy as the wind and sea conditions outside the breakwater were atrocious. The conditions on the contingency course were certainly extreme and several kayaks had to be towed back. The wind and waves in the Sound and at Devil’s Point contributed to a very taxing row.
Our men’s vet team were 11th overall, and 4th gig in 3 hours 23 minutes, meanwhile our ladies vets finished in 3 hours 47 minutes 51 seconds, in 14th place overall and 5th gig (2nd ladies gig). Impressive endurance well done. Thanks to every one for their support.
See below for the Evening Herald Report and one from Tricia S.
TS It was very nuts – even the event organisers got cold feet – after allowing us all to leave, following plan ‘B’ – the river route – they
altered even this to bring us back round the land side of Drakes Island
as the conditions were just too bad . It was like some insane computer game – cutting through the Torpoint Ferries before they sliced us up, then dodging the Ferry as it backed into us en route to France, that was after rowing like mad to ensure the fast moving tug could see us and before the hour it took us to get through Devils Point ( or cauldron!) and before the safety boat advised of the incoming freighter!
Forget the wind, rain, waves and cross tides! And yet…yes, we would do it again! The organisers said that the 20 odd miles that we did manage to cover was harder than they would have expected the 28 mile
challenge to have been.
30/06/2008
Saltash mixed and veteran championships
Saturday the 28th June saw the Tamar and Tavy Gig Rowing Club turn out in their numbers to the Saltash Town Regatta & Waterside Festival. This is an annual jointly organised festival offering a host of events running all through the weekend.
Tamar & Tavy is currently welcoming a lot of new rowers to the club and this well organised festival offered the perfect opportunity to introduce their newcomers to the joys of gig racing! The mixed crew kicked off the days rowing with Tamar & Tavy entering a team consisting of three new and three experienced rowers (Andy & Jane Morton, Jemma Sharman were new with Tamar Howard-Pearce, Paul Sellers and Matthew Pinney representing the experienced rowers). The team gave their all and though they couldn’t rank with the fastest times they certainly made up for in shear guts and effort.
The Mixed races were followed by the ladies vets – an event that Tamar & Tavy won last year – a hard act to follow and exacerbated by with some soupy water and strong competition. They entered a team consisting of Carolyn Dawe, Carrie Lawson, Loveday Fethney, Jo Cameron, Ruth Walker and Tricia Stewart. Only two members of the crew had rowed last year and this was only Lovedays second experience of racing. The team were not able to follow last years club lead but gave a good account of themselves coming in 3rd and 2nd in the following two heats.
The Mixed Super Vets was the next event that the club entered. Again, choosing to give some new and inexperienced rowers a taste of the exhilaration of rowing in a fun environment. The team was made up of Helen MacFarlane, John Rogers. Maggie Cartwright, Martin Painter, Peter Clarke and Lesley Coupland who has only recently joined the club and rowed with all the pull she could muster!
Recognition must also go to one of the clubs longest standing members, Maggie Cartwright, a ‘super’, super vet who spent most of her, long day, taking photos and supporting all with kind words and good advice.
30/06/2008
Salcombe
A champagne toast was in order for Tamar & Tavy’s super-veteran gig rowers after a resounding win at Salcombe. The crew with over 400 years of experience in the boat and the rowers’ average age of 64 years, rowed at an incredible pace to take the mark in first place, once securely in the lead, they romped home, crossing the line with a very comfortable lead against local team Salcombe, sporting a team with average age of 70 years. The veteran category is extremely popular and competitive, however it begins at 40 years; meaning there are few opportunities for the more mature rower to race competitively. Salcombe regatta is the exception as there is a super-vet race for a beautiful wooden trophy with oars and a walking stick entwined. The supervet crew: Rod Atkinson, Jonathan Young, Paul Fletcher, Peter Clarke, Alastair Monteath, Steve Fletcher: cox and non-super vet Helen Lloyd.Some great performances by the rest of the club in the new gig Tamar were: Ladies’ B battling in the peak of the tide taking 9th place, Men’s B 7th, Men’s A 9th, Ladies’ A 8th, men’s vets 6th and Ladies’ vets taking 5th place with Tom Sargeant making an impressive debut as a race cox. It was a rigorous day, with many of the crew rowing two or three of the long races to and from the sand bar, famed in Tennyson’s poem ‘Crossing of the bar’.
A day of sunshine and spectacular scenery ended on a high with the Barbarian’s race, in which crews from all clubs present were scrambled. Tamar & Tavy club chairman Bill Stacey-Norris coxed a crew with four TnT rowers to 2nd place in local boat Bolt.02/06/2008
Rock regatta.
Rock regatta one of the highlights on the circuit for spectators and rowers, took place on Sunday accompanied by hoards of sun seeking supporters. The festival atmosphere of Daymer Beach soon gave way to Rock’s rigorous and ruthless racing. The primal beat of oars in the thole pins, clashing oars and hollering coxes saw Tamar, Tamar and Tavy gig club’s new boat, consistently in the thick of the pack.
The Women’s and Men’s veteran teams both took 8th place. The women’s B in a hard battled race with local rivals Calstock took 21st place, with new rower this season, Loveday Fethney, making a debut in the powerhouse of the boat. The Men’s B also saw Andy Morton, Tom Friend and David Goodspeed making their debut for the club with the welcome return of Santosh Chakrabartri after injury. The Men’s A and Women’s A teams, again tight in the pack with ferocious tactics form the opposition requiring nifty coxing from Bill Stacy Norris and Peter Clarke, both took 17th place. The day ended with a novelty race in which the Tamar and Tavy team excelled no doubt aided by the presence runner Carrie Lawson, new member Jane Morton and excellent support from the launch crew, as the teams sprinted down the beach, leapt into the waiting gig, rowed fervently across the Camel Estuary and back whilst changing shirts before finishing with a sprint back up the beach.
In contrast Saturday saw both the gigs navigating the tranquil upper reaches of the Tamar with a long but leisurely paddle from Weir Quay to the opening of Cothele’s new museum and Morwellham’s refurbished quay with 34 rowers taking part in the social row.
08/05/2008
World Championships 2008
A Fantastic time was had by all rowers and supporters from Tamar & Tavy at the Isles of Scilly over the May bank holiday. First out on the Friday night for a long race, from St.Agnes to St. Marys, in an interesting sea and swell were the veteran crews. The vet ladies in Tamar were 27th and the vet ladies in Ginette were 38th. The mens’ vet crews came in 35th and 55th. Saturday and Sunday saw the St.Agnes to St. Mary’s seeding races for the mens’ and ladies’ crews agian with a fair swell or so it seemed to us river rowers. The crews were then placed in classes or heats according to thier ability. There was much excitement with crews climbing up into the next class/heat, even winning some heats. By the final race, which saw the ladies in Tamar and Ginette competing in the same heat, there were the following results Tamar Ladies 74th, and Ginette Ladies (aka Billy’s blondes) 77th, men in Tamar 71st and men in Ginette 92nd. Well done everyone who rowed and coxed, it was challenging but great fun and thank you to all our supporters who are now hoarse.
Detail from the men in Tamar crew (by jh)
The Men’s group arrived on the IOS without even one practice session with all 6 rowers in the boat together, not a good omen for success.
This showed in the first race when the Men’s A struggled to battle through and came in about 88th. Mutiny threatened, glum faces and the general consensus was that we needed to focus.
Heat one, the boat was quiet, each stroke pulled out clean and well, the crew found the missing focus and we absolutely stormed home in 1st position and boy didn’t they all work well. Well done Peter Clarke being dropped in as Cox, Tom Sergeant 6, jh 5, Andy Arscott 4, Matt Pinney 3, Chris Gill 2 and Peter Sellars 1.
This took us up a group.
Heat 2 Almost did the same again but finished 2nd but only by a whisker.
Heat 3 Slight tragedy on the start line as the boat drifted into the big lane buoy and prevented a good start, 4-5 lengths down we battled to make up the ground but we did and drew alongside our closest rival. Gamely we battled but could not get a decent place in that heat. However we made up a lot of lost ground to finish 71st out of 111 (or 109) Not the result we should have achieved but very admirable how the lads battled to pull up those places.
Boy! was it a good club weekend. I think enjoyed immensely by all the groups and members of TnT.
Detail from the ladies
The ladies A and B crews enjoyed excellent rowing with some close and hard fought racing at each level in the IOS championships. The circuit training and practise on the water put in beforehand paid off with good results achieved by both crews.
The A crew came 2nd in their group in the final after some very exciting racing, oh so very narrowly missing a medal and finishing 74th out of 106 overall.
The B crew (aka bliiy’s blondes) had an unlucky start in the long race but after some great rowing , with a near perfect stroke ( according to the commentator ), won one heat, thrid in another and climbed a massive 13 places to finish 77th overall. The coxing was great and gave us all the encouragement we needed. With 100% effort given by both crews it was good start to the season and a weekend of rowing enjoyed by all.
18/03/2008
Tamar's maiden race
Sunday 16th March dawned for the first and perhaps the toughest race of the gig racing circuit. The TnT crews began early with a vet crew rowing Ginette down to the start in Saltash, cheering the racers on through the day then taking a tough endurance session back home at the end of the day against wind and tide. Thank you guys every bit was appreciated. Meanwhile Rae bravely towed Tamar to Saltash for her very first race, eagerly (or Eagley) watched by Brian.
The Ladies set off in Tamar, with Rob Dawe coxing. A steady strong pace combined with the winter endurance training paid off as three boats were pulled past. Tamar flew downwind with the long strong stokes. The Ladies crew, all of whom were vets, came in 17th out of 30 good crews in a time of 1 hour 48 seconds.
After a swift turn around Drummond Challis took Tamar’s helm with the men’s crew. After a fast first leg the lads, nicely in time came in also 17th out of 37 crews in 52 minutes 10 seconds. Meanwhile Carolyn Dawe, arms and adrenalin still pumping from the ladies race coxed the men’s vets in Ginette to finish the long course in 56 minutes 23 seconds beating their local rivals Salcombe.
The course was long, Brunel Bridge, to the Tavy, the Tamar by the China fleet, down to the Lyhner and back up against the wind and tide to the bridge. A brilliant chance to really show Tamar her river. She is a credit to Brian’s craftmanship.
07/05/2007
World Champs Results 2007
Well done all. Men’s vets 43rd, Ladies vets 27th, Men’s first round (long seeding race) 67th, final also 67th. Ladies first round (long seeding race) 27th, final 32nd as published on www.pilotgigs.info
Our page 3 ‘girls’ in the Western morning news on Saturday looked fab!
25/03/2007
Three Rivers Race
Tamar and Tavy Gig Club crews took to the water in the Three Rivers Race at Saltash on Sunday morning and showed glimmers of the potential it plans to reveal over the coming pilot gig racing season in this, the first race of the year.
The veteran section of the club nobly got up at dawn to take the newly painted and serviced boat Ginette down to the start for the first race of the season, organised by Caradon Pilot Gig Club, and rowed her back at the finish of racing.
The testing course runs from Saltash Sailing Club, upstream to beyond Warleigh Point where the Tavy joins the Tamar, then downstream to the mouth of the Lynher and back up to the Tamar Bridge, no stroll.
The ladies crew took to the water for the first race at 9.30 in weather far removed from Saturday’s glorious sun. Cox Ali Trotter, stroke Kate Reeves, Carolyn Dawe, Debby Vojkovic, Sam Adlam, Helen Dickinson, Ruth Walker took off in the middle of a hefty pack of rowers upstream towards the Tavy before swinging round the bay and back down to the mouth of the Lynher and back to Saltash
After a scrabble at the start, the boats strung out and fairly swiftly sorted themselves into their placings for the rest of the race. Clearly a little more rowing before a race helps, but Tamar and Tavy Ladies came in just over ten minutes behind the winners Falmouth (48.03) in 58 mins 38 seconds showing good potential for the coming season.
The men’s crew, coxed by a sprightly Bill Stacey-Norris, stroke Ed Hillson, George Hillson, Ian Page, John Hillson, Ali Trotter and Steve Jackson, showed that rowing a salmon boat can be useful for fitness if not technique. They put in a good time of 53 mins 26 secs, with their race also being won by Falmouth in 45.10, a club which is showing every sign of seriously shaking the podium upon which World Champions Caradon have stood for all of the last 12 years bar one.
The World Championships will be taking place on the Isles of Scilly over the first May Bank Holiday, with the club looking to enter five crews. The Championships promise to be the biggest yet with over 100 gigs racing over two days.
Tamar and Tavy is looking forward to having a second boat on the water this season. Iron Maid, on loan from her builder, and builder of the club’s current gig Ginette, Brian Nobbs. So there is plenty of space and opportunity for new rowers to take up a paddle and discover the fitness and social benfits of gig rowing. There are regular taster sessions for newcomers, and no rowing experience is necessary. Please see www.tntgc.org.uk for contact details.
29/09/2006
Men's championships Newquay 2006
Another first for Tamar and Tavy
Tamar and Tavy men sent out two crews in the Mens County Gig Championships at Newquay earlier this month, a first in a championship race for the men’s side of the Weir Quay-based rowing club.
Faced with far kinder conditions than the club’s women faced two weeks earlier, the men showed tremendous mettle despite the last minute need to re-shuffle crews due to family commitments. Giving each other vital support and encouragement, the crews defied sceptics and made a terrific impression on the gig scene.
The Men’s B crew were drawn first and with a wide range of experience, age and fitness, but a uniform desire to row to the best of their ability, the crew came fifth in their first race. Cox Kate Reeves, stroke Bill Stacey Norris, Graham Hodgson, John Rogers, Steve Jackson, Chris Dill and father-in-waiting Mario Michelli showed tremendous spirit.
The crew qualified for the plate race, held its collective nerve while under close scrutiny from the umpire boat, and gave its best performance of the season demonstrating the drive and passion required at all levels of gig racing. The Men’s B finished sixth in the plate race and 58th overall in the championships.
Fired up, the Men’s A crew, cox Kate Reeves, stroke Ed Hillson, George Hillson, Ian Page, Matthew Pinney, Peter Clark and John Hillson took to the water with more passion than concentration which slightly detracted from their first performance of the day.
However despite some hiccups the crew clearly qualified for the second round beating a number of other more experienced A crews in the scramble for places. A slight change of seating plan and the crew rowed hard and strong over a longer course than previously showing the grit and determination for which the club is becoming known.
In what has been widely acknowledged as one of the most exciting and table-turning championships for many years, Tamar and Tavy A came 40 the overall, beating 20 other crews and significantly building on last year’s championship result.
The club is now moving into Winter mode and has started circuit training – 7.30-9pm, Wednesday evenings, the Sports Hall, Tavistock College. All comers are welcome. Run by ex-Marine and global endurance runner Nigel Jenkins, the training has proved to be extremely popular and effective.
For more information about Tamar and Tavy Gig Club, its activities, how to join and why, www.tntgc.org.uk.
05/09/2006
Ladies Championships Newquay 2006
Tamar and Tavy Ladies A crew put in their best performance yet on the gig rowing circuit at the Ladies Championships at Newquay over the weekend (sept 2nd /3rd), coming 11th out of 63.
The club also entered a second ladies crew for the first time which successfully battled through the first round to be knocked out in the second in a particularly strong heat in ferocious weather conditions.
Racing started on Saturday morning despite concerns about the weather, a strong off shore wind giving rise to considerable swell which makes the 90 degree buoy turns extremely hard work as the crews turn head to wind at the first mark.
Both Tamar and Tavy crews were drawn to race in the same heat in their first race and both put in a strong performance despite the intimidating weather conditions. Ladies B, cox John Hillson, Ruth Walker, Debbie Vojkovic, Penny Twine, Sam Adlam, Jenny Young, Helen Smith.
‘They were definitely the worst conditions I’ve raced in. As we rounded the second buoy there just seemed to be six foot walls of water, with three little waves on each big one.
‘The fact that we rowed our second race four minutes faster than our first shows you how conditions improved, and how we adapted our rowing,’ said B crew cox John Hillson.
The Ladies A crew raced through two rounds on Saturday watching the stakes getting higher as the competition got tougher. The wind had turned round for the quarter finals first thing Sunday morning, in which the crew had the seventh fastest time in the competition thus far.
Cox Jack Baker, Kate Reeves, Lynn Pollard, Julie Williams, Chrissy Baker, Carolyn Dawe and Nicky Sellers put the Tamar and Tavy name in the minds of rowers who had yet to realise the challenge the Bere Alston-based club is consistently starting to present in ladies gig racing.
With only seven seconds separating TnT’s eleventh position from the crew which finished eighth, the Ladies have every right to be proud of their achievement. The Ladies squad has developed into a strong competitive yet inclusive body, and with rigorous and committed training over the winter will provide fierce competition and fulfilling rowing next season.
The Tamar and Tavy Men’s crews are racing at their championships at Newquay Sept 16th/17th.
Thanks so much to our select band of valiant supporters who came down over the weekend, it was really appreciated.
ALL SUPPORT IS VERY WELCOME AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM SPECTATOR BOATS MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU’RE FLOGGING THROUGH THE WAVES.
