MEMBERS of a rowing club told how they competed at the World Pilot Gig Championships.

The Bridport Gig Rowing Club sent two boats, the Brydian and the Dagger for the competition, which was held from April 29 to May 1 on the Isles of Scilly.

This was the 31st year of the World Pilot Gig Championships, and the tenth time that Bridport has taken part.

Thirty members of the club took part, 17 women and 13 men with ages ranging from 24 - 67.

The club entered six crews into the races – three for the men’s and three for the women’s.

The club fielded men’s and women’s teams including the over 50s races, called 'supervets', and an A and B team for the open events, where any age is welcome to participate.

Supervet crews narrowly missed out on making the final 12 this year, but both worked hard to significantly improve their positioning over the first two races.

The other teams did very well in their respective races improving on previous competitions - women's A crew on Brydian were winners in Group C.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Congratulations to all those who took part and thank you to the squad captains and coxes who kept us focussed on what was required.

“Up close and personal you really get to appreciate the massive effort that each individual rower is putting into moving their boat forward.

“The commands of the coxes as they urge their crews to strive harder and the thud of the oars as they strike against the hard wood of the pins."

The competition, which was first held in 1990, took a two-year break over the pandemic, and had 120 teams participating this year.

The spokesperson added: “Part of the joy of tying up next to your competitors is checking out the fancy dress outfits people have donned.

“Worth mentioning here is the enthusiastic hula dancing from the Bridport Ladies A crew in their Hawaiian skirts when they took to the stage later to accept their prize.

“Their efforts ensured that as a club Bridport will again be invited to take a second boat to the 32nd WPGC in 2023."

The club will be holding their first post-Covid Bridport Regatta on Saturday, July 2 at West Bay.

Bridport Gig Rowing Club welcomes members of all ages and abilities. For more information visit www.bridportgigrowingclub.co.uk