The RMA Gig Club was formed in 2019 after a small number of Royal Marine veterans realised they all had some interest in the sport. The club had begged, borrowed but not quite stolen a plastic (GRP) gig boat, oars and other necessary equipment, and found a location to store and from which to launch the boat, they were ready to get out on to the water.
Virtually all the founder members of the Club had never rowed before but they were fortunate to have in their Cox, Bob Bryant, a knowledgeable and patient coach, guide and mentor. It is no mean feat that within two weeks of forming the RMA Gig Club, Bob had this disparate bunch of rowers entering the Inter-service Championship. This event gave the team a real feel of what racing was about and what an amazing fraternity there is in the gig-rowing world.
The membership numbers have increased over the months with military, ex-military and civilian members so that the club can now support three crews. The club is always on the look out, and actively recruiting new team members so that it can grow and offer anyone who is keen to join them, the opportunity to benefit from new friendships, health, well-being and esprit de corps. The club is open to anyone over the age of 18 years of any, or no ability. It is a fantastic way to keep fit and potential club members are invited to participate in three taster sessions before deciding if it is for them.
The Club has already raced at three regattas over the last winter; Tamar Tavy at Weir Quay, Caradon at Saltash and Cotehele. Furthermore, there are plans to join the Cornish Pilot Gig Association (CPGA), the national governing body for Gig rowing which would enable the RMA Gig Club to participate in numerous regattas throughout Cornwall and Devon and ultimately the World Championships in the Isles of Scilly.
One stipulation of the CPGA is that a club must own a Wooden Pilot Gig Boat to be accepted as a member, which currently it does not. This is a major hurdle as wooden gig boats are not cheap. The club has identified the perfect gig that is on sale from a Gig Club in Cornwall. This offer comes complete with trailer, oars, seat cushions and weather cover at a cost of £15,000. The club and its members are now vigorously raising funds through its Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rma-gig-club and regularly hold online bingo evenings, the proceeds from which provide cash prizes and boost the fund raising coffers. Anyone is welcome to join in the bingo games – it is surprisingly good fun! https://www.facebook.com/groups/636974206906889/. The club also works hard and is proud to support the Royal Marines charity in a wide range of initiatives.
To find out more about becoming a member or if anyone is curious enough to try gig rowing simply visit the club’s web site https://rma-gigclub.co.uk or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RoyalMarinesAssociationGigClub/
I’ll leave you with a quote from the Club’s chairman, David Brain “We are a friendly, all inclusive rowing club founded on esprit de corps, camaraderie and a love of our great sport. We welcome experienced rowers and those looking to try a new sport. If you want to race competitively or just row socially, we want to hear from you!
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