Pilot Gig Boat Clubs from as far afield as Bristol and Lyme Regis Joined the North Devon Clubs to take part in the regatta on Saturday. The glorious weather and the calm seas facilitated excellent rowing conditions and a series of hard-fought races around the kite-shaped course marked by buoys clearly visible by the watching crowds from Ilfracombe pier and vantage points on the Capstone and Lantern hill. The different clubs established a colourful temporary village on the beach next to the Lifeboat slipway, with shelters erected for rowing bags and equipment storage for the day. In addition Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club ran a popular cake, burger and tea and coffee stall on the pier, which was well patronised throughout the day.
Barnstaple Pilot Gig Club showed the benefit of another year’s training, with most crews staying up with the pack right up to the finishing line; the BPGC Ladies Vets crew gained the best result of the day for the club with a second place in their race, behind the Ilfracombe crew.
