Boscastle and Crackington Haven Gig Club

Isles of Scilly 2012 - FOR STEAMSHIP / SKYBUS FARES AND INFO CLICK HERE

The 23rd World Pilot Gig Championships will take place on the Isles of Scilly from 4 May until 7 May 2012. On behalf of the organising committee I am pleased to invite you to take part in this unique event. For those of you that regularly attend the format has not changed considerably. The new start line, comprising a straight line between each of the various start buoys was considered a great success and will be retained.

The committee has listened very carefully to numerous competitors who have requested a super vets race. We have decided to incorporate a super vets race, for crews that have attained the age of 50 years, within the Friday night veterans races. We just do not have time over this weekend to incorporate further races. Those wishing to take part in the super vets races will have to complete a new registration form and will NOT be eligible for placings in the veterans races irrespective of how well they do. Any crew that has not registered solely as a super vets crew will not be placed in the event. Trophies and medals will be presented to the successful crews.

This year the event will take place during big spring tides. This will prevent many gigs from remaining on Town beach. The probability is that most gigs will have to go to Porth Mellon beach and be drawn up onto the bank at the top of the beach after the race on Sunday. It would therefore be appropriate to remind crews that tying a gig to a running line on Town beach is strictly prohibited. We have had some strongly worded complaints about so doing.

Last year the committee was very pleased that there was not a need to disqualify crews for pushing the line. This was probably due in no small part to a strong headwind at the start line. We shall continue our strict policy of disqualification for crews failing to accord with the instructions of the starter. The overwhelming number of competitors feel this is fair to all.

As always there may be variations to the racing code of practice and the overall staging of the event due to matters beyond the control of the committee. It is therefore most important that all relevant parties attend the Coxes Friday night meeting. Those arriving on the early morning Scillonian sailing on the Saturday should attend that morning's briefing on Holgates Green.

I wish you all a successful, competitive, and enjoyable event. As always I shall be on the committee bench outside the tunnel for the duration of the event, eating Maggie's delicious food and answering any queries you may have. Please join me there.

Rick Persich Chairman, World Pilot Gig Championships Committee Email: rickpersich@aol.com

Winter Fitness Training, with Kelvin

Saturdays 1.30 to 2.30

Monday Evenings 7pm to 8

Wednesday Evenings 6.30pm to 7.30 (Boscastle Ladies are invited to a shared session with the Clovelly Gig Club Ladies after our Wednesday evening session finishes at 19:30)

Note - these sessions are NOT at Fusion Gym, instead they are at the Aspire Fitness Pod, make for Greenaway Tyres on the industrial estate as you come into Bude, on the Kings Hill turn, next to Continental Underfloor Heating - the gym is next door to the tyre centre.

Call Kelvin on 01288361415 , 07866451289 for more info

Port Gaverne WebCam

Click here

2011 Membership Forms

Please download and complete the application form for 2011 by clicking here

Note : Until memberships are paid ALL rowing is charged at Ł3 per row as a temporary membership to cover our insurance requirements, so you are better off joining now!

Please also sign up to the 100 Club. Contributors pay Ł5 per month by direct debit and we draw from all the entries a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize each month. It is a little bit of fun for our gig community, whilst also providing vital funds for the club and its ever- expanding activities. Please join us in the 100 Club if you havent already

Membership is open to residents AND visitors to Boscastle, Crackington Haven and the surrounding area. Please complete the form and return it to us along with your membership fee. Know anyone interested in joining, please point them to this page.

For a copy of the Boscastle and Crackington Haven Gig Club constitution - please click here

Crew safety. Wearing of Life Jackets.

In light of recent events and lengthy discussion at the committee meeting, the following is a statement concerning the wearing of life jackets in the Gig. At present there is no legal requirement for a person to wear a life jacket in any water borne activity, however, the RYA have strong guidelines that life jackets should always be worn when afloat. This has been established for years and along with the Coast Guard & Maritime Agency, this fact has always been recognised as a standard. The CPGA also at present do not have any instructions apart from Juniors and the rule is : ‘that the Cox and all Junior members will wear lifejackets when afloat’ This will be applied by Boscastle and Crackington without exception. Our Gig Club insurance only specifies that we have a duty of care to our crew members. In any unfortunate incident the insurance company will look at this point and seek advice from a recognised body, ie RYA & MCA. Therefore it is our recommendation that any crew member from our club, when in a Gig should be encouraged to wear a life jacket and encouraged to do so for : The Cox Non swimmers Passengers. Those crew members who choose not to wear a life jacket should have one next to them in their rowing positions. This recommendation will not necessarily apply when at regattas when safety boats are present but this must not stop any person wearing one if they wish. You only have to remember that a life jackets keeps you afloat the correct way up particularly if you get a thump on the head and become unconscious. Lets have a good season rowing !!!! Andy Jones.