Flushing and Mylor Pilot Gig Club was greatly saddened to hear of the recent death of JJ Valletta, a valued member of our club who had recently moved to St Andrew’s university.
JJ moved to the UK from Malta and was a Postdoc at Exeter and Falmouth University, using mathematical models to research Malaria. At the start of 2020 he moved to the University of St Andrews, in Scotland, where he was working as a lecturer and researcher in the field of statistics.
JJ joined Flushing and Mylor Pilot Gig club in 2016 and was quick to make his mark. He never did anything by halves but was always fully committed and full of enthusiasm. He was already a very confident kayaker and quickly learnt the basics of fixed seat rowing.
He always strived to improve his technique and was quick to encourage and coach others. His competitive spirit soon became very apparent and he became a valued member of our men’s A crew, competing in four World Championships, culminating in a place in the A Heat final in 2019. His drive and spirit played a major part in the success of this crew. JJ also competed in many other events including regattas, county championships and events further afield such as the Vogalonga in Venice and the Great River Race in London. As well as competitions he also enjoyed the social aspects of rowing including trips out with the club’s ‘bun-run’ and social crews.
Somewhat ironically, it should be mentioned that JJ was easily sea sick, but with a stash of sea sick tablets at the ready this would not hold him back!
JJ used his skillset to help organise and enthuse our club and became the club captain during his time with us. He even used his statistics skills to analyse the crew’s rowing performance, giving detailed feedback from the GPS data on his watch. JJ was multitalented, multilingual and although he had a strong Maltese background he loved Cornwall and was often soaking up its culture. He loved to sing along to our Cornish Sea Shanties! He even started to grasp our Cornish humour and could take it and give it back in equal amounts. And who will ever forget his break dancing on the podium after our heat win at the WPGC in 2018?
JJ was a big character and he will be missed within the club and in the rowing community in general. He coxed many rowers in their first time in a gig and he was an excellent teacher. Many of those rowers have now gone on to race in regattas and World Championships. It is for this reason that JJ has created a true legacy in our club and the sport of Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing.
The men’s squad and the whole club will miss JJ, but we feel blessed that we had the opportunity to share so many rows, happy moments, and the occasional pint with him. JJ was always so full of life and energy. His kindness and sense of humour will never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed.
JJ’s family are currently trying to bring him home from the Highlands and are fundraising to help this effort, if you wish to donate you can do so here: JJ’s Final Journey Home
JJ was a good friend, he lived in my house in Detroit Michigan back in 2006 when he worked as an Engineer at Methode. He truly had a one of a kind personality and joie de vivre. We spent time going camping, fishing, off-roading in his Jeep, talking about life and his family in Malta, spending time with a German group here, and exploring Michigan’s up north woods. He is one of those people who was genuine, enjoyed life, and being around people. I still remember his room filling laugh. After he left Michigan, I heard many wonderful stories about his life. He really is one of those few people that you meet in life and are lucky to have met. Rest in Peace my friend JJ.