Photo above of Ladies Champions – Mounts Bay.
Saturday 14th October, Sunday 15th October
There was nothing fainthearted about the Supervets gig regatta hosted by Appledore Pilot Gig Club for the third year in succession. All competitors were aged over 50, and competed over a long and demanding course, including two buoy turns. Heats were held on the Saturday, with semis and finals taking place on Sunday. Rowing started and finished at Appledore Quay giving lots of opportunity for spectators to cheer on the crews. They were not disappointed; the Supervets often have the time to train hard, enabling them to increase their stamina and skill to row together as a team and races were close with many tight finishes. Essential camaraderie between clubs on the slipway, often sharing boats, equipment and crew members, can be temporarily lost on the water, and this weekend was no exception, with the usual disputed buoy turns and accusations of driving rival boats onto the sandbanks adding to the excitement!
Thirty-two teams took part, from all over the South West, making this the most successful Supervets event yet and bringing vital visitors and business to the village. Henk Wismeijer, a rower from the Royal Watersports Association in Loosdrecht in the Netherlands took part in a mixed crew comprising rowers both international and more local, and will go home to report of his winning experience in the Men’s Plate Final.
After sizing up their rivals, teams are already planning their training regimes for next May’s World Championships in the Isles of Scilly and their return to Appledore.
Participating Clubs:
Zennor, Salcombe, Appledore, Bristol, Cape Cornwall, Newquay, Teign, Lyme Regis, Charlestown, Torridge, Ilfracombe, Boscastle, Barnstaple, Mounts Bay, Rame.
Ladies Supervets Champions:
1st – Mounts Bay
2nd – Salcombe A
Men’s Supervets Champions:
1st – Lyme Regis
2nd – Appledore A
Men’s Plate
1st – Appledore “International”
2nd – Torridge B
Ladies’ Plate
1st – Ilfracombe A
2nd – Torridge
Report and pics from Hazel Waters.
Trophies presented by Andrea Tucker, from the main event sponsor Brewer Harding and Rowe (Solicitors).
Photo below of Men’s Champions – Lyme Regis
Above: Appledore won the Men’s Plate Final. Below: Ilfracombe Ladies Plate Winners.
Brilliant well done all….flags up for supervets.x