St Mary’s Gig Club are getting a new gig

St Mary’s Gig Club have commissioned the building of a brand new racing gig. By the time we receive the new gig in 2021 or 2022, our flagship ‘Tregarthen’s’ (funded by the previous owners of the hotel) will be around 10 years old and the new gig will ensure that we continue to have competitive gigs to compete at the highest level in the World Pilot Gig Championships and against mainland clubs.

The exciting news about the build is that it will be built locally. We are delighted that Andrew Hicks – Scillonian Boat Building and Repairs has considered this opportunity and decided to add gig building to his boat refurbishment and repair business based at Porthloo, St Mary’s. Andrew spent 16 years working with Peter Martin building gigs, including two of our own in which we have had much success. Since Peter left the islands Andrew has continued for the last 5 years repairing gigs but it is only now he will be making a leap into setting up to build one himself continuing the Scillonian tradition. To have our new racing gig built on the islands and to be Andrew’s first is something St Mary’s Gig Club are very proud of.

As a club, we are growing. There are more people than ever participating in gig rowing on the islands and thanks to our members we are able to provide opportunities to learn to row and compete. We are hoping to develop the club at all levels from juniors, beginners, domestic racing and competing at the World Pilot Gig Championships. To enable this we need to maintain our domestic and racing fleet of gigs and oars and provide improved training opportunities.

The project for the new gig build forms part of this and will be the initial focus so we are currently making plans for the large fundraising effort that will be required to make it happen. Watch this space for news of ways you can support us with this exciting project, as always we appreciate the support that is always shown by the community, local businesses and visitors alike.

‘Tregarthen’s’ under construction in 2011/12. Credit – Andrew Hicks