Gig Rowing Heritage Celebration Saturday 2nd November

The story of Cornish Pilot Gigs is a remarkable one, from racing to take pilots aboard sailing ships and pulling survivors from shipwrecks in the 17th century to a fast growing sports 350 years later. Their speed and manoeuvrability made them ideal for smuggling and outrunning customs officials! Today that speed makes for exciting racing in often rough conditions, gigs have been known to surf over the finish line! Gig clubs have been started all around the coast and around the world with clubs in the USA, Bermuda, the Netherlands, Ireland, and France.

The Cornish Pilot Gig is a traditional wooden boat rowed with six oars and a coxswain at the rudder. It’s story may have ended around hundred years ago had it not been for a small group of men from Newquay who rescued the few remaining gigs that were rotting in sheds or their upturned hulls being used as chicken houses. Those vessels started a sport which now has 8000 participants .

Pulling Together the Past is a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project designed to collect and explore gig rowing heritage. The project will celebrate the history of Cornish Pilot Gig rowing with a free event – ‘The Story of Gig Rowing’ – on 2nd November. This special evening of film, music and memories will feature the stories and materials collected by the project team. Highlights of the evening will include previously unseen footage of the build and launch of the Cadgwith gig ‘Buller’.

Project leader Claire Tripp said, “The project team has been busy interviewing members of the gig rowing community and recording their stories of the sport. They have also discovered archive footage and digitised photographic collection. We are looking forward to sharing the gems that have been discovered on the big screen at ‘The Story of Gig Rowing’ event.”

Cornish Pilot Gig rowing has seen extraordinary growth in recent times. There are now 78 gig clubs  across the UK. There is a large and growing gig rowing community across the world. Gig rowing is an inclusive sport which attracts people of all ages and abilities.  The heritage and traditions of gig rowing appeals to many rowers who feel part of a lively community, enjoying camaraderie and social activities on the shore.

All the Cornish Pilot Gigs built today follow the lines of the gig ‘Treffry’ built in 1838 and are speedy, seaworthy vessels, even in lively sea conditions. ‘The Story of Gig Rowing’ will explore the evolution of the vessel from its early uses to the present day.

Reserve your free seat at the Regal Theatre in Redruth, at 8pm on 2nd November by calling 01209 216278 or book online at www.redruth.merlincinemas.co.uk .