Brixham’s Opening Veterans’ Championships – 3rd June

Written by Rebecca Baxter

 

A beautiful 22 degree early summer’s day, Brixham’s first Veterans’ Championships and Torbay Airshow coincided this Sunday to make a perfect day for the resident and visiting CPGA members.

 

Crews started and ended the 2km triangular course from Breakwater Beach. The water was busy with working fisherman, in-shore divers, paddle-boarders, and swimmers while in the sky the RAF Aerobatic Team – the Red Arrows in their Hawk fast-jets formed a ‘tornado move’ over the heats. Organisers slightly delayed the men’s final so that the radio start could be heard over the boom of the RAF Typhoon combat aircraft circling the bay.

 

 

The racing was very competitive with photo finishes needed to separate some crews in the early heats. The men’s final was extremely close with all crews finishing within 24 seconds of each other. Lyme Regis led from early on and rowed the fastest time of the day (9 mins 20 seconds) to become champions. Caradon A just caught Dart on the line to take second in a photo finish. Charlestown ladies also rowed the fastest time of the day to win their final with another close finish for second, this time Dart just holding off Mounts Bay.

 

Club captain Amy Plowman thanks all of the clubs who attended, especially those that loaned gigs and provided umpires. She said: “Brixham were very proud to host this event for the first time and the whole club worked really hard to make it run as smoothly as possible. We think it was a great success and hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.”

 

Brixham Gig Club certainly rallied to welcome their visitors as the members organised all sorts of catering, a BBQ, speedy race results and excellent welfare and crew support facilities. Their new kit supplier LMOB (01803 854822) held a stall at the event and sold personalised (on the day) Championships clothing and accessories, and the raffle and other gig rowing merchandise proved popular.

 

The developing club has spent the past year improving facilities with a new covered gig shed, making arrangements for new members with introductory courses, engaging with the community and supporting young talent, including their two newly-appointed county rowers Joe Nisbett and Bess Ashworth. Brixham will be welcoming all entries for the annual Brixham Regatta on the 4th August. Details will be available soon.

 

Results of the Brixham Veterans’ Championships were:

 

Men’s Final

1st Lyme Regis

2nd Caradon A

3rd Dart

 

 

Men’s Plate Final

1st Brixham A

2nd Caradon B

3rd Brixham B

 

 

Ladies’ Final

1st Charlestown

2nd Dart A

3rd Mounts Bay

 

 

Ladies’ Plate Final

1st Torridge

2nd Teign B

3rd Illfracombe