Meet The 2023 Stream Team

The GigRower Stream Team is made up of a fantastic group of volunteers who are incredibly passionate about building the sport of gig rowing. Their remit focuses on the creation of live and post-production video and static content that captures the World Pilot Gig Championships (WPGC) and other CPGA Championships throughout the season. Over the past few years, the Stream Team has grown, not just in numbers but also in expertise and confidence to bring both live and wrap-up footage across the key events in the gig racing calendar.

We caught up with ‘Drone Guy’ Steve Strachan, to find out more about the trials and tribulations that surround broadcasting of gig racing:

How did you first get into droning?

Steve: About six years ago, I was walking the dogs when I saw a drone in the air. I had a chat with the guy flying it and decided I just had to get one. The first one I got was pretty much a crash test dummy, because you spend most of the time crashing drones whilst you learn how to fly them.

So then, what made you first take interest in filming gig racing?

Steve: I was walking the dogs when I saw gigs racing at Gyllyngvase in Falmouth and decided to put the drone up. When Toby Budd saw the footage on Facebook, he approached me to work with GigRower and the rest is history.

Your dog walks sound extremely productive! How have things changed since you first started covering gig racing?

Steve: We started off at Three Rivers with two people, myself on the drone with a phone and Steve Lock on the microphone providing commentary. Every 20 minutes the drone would have to kill the feed to change the battery on the drone. We realised that it wasn’t going to work, so at Dart we tried Switcher Studio which is the software we use today. This meant we could incorporate extra cameras into the feed.

When did you first cover WPGC?

Steve: We headed to Scilly in 2018 with a bigger team but we were still struggling for connectivity. In 2019, Toby sourced a WiFi router which pushes out the stream in a higher quality and we keep trying different technologies to give us more stable connections for streaming. The one mast we have on the islands is drawn on by all the people watching the live stream on their phones, this affects the bandwidth and makes WPGC the hardest event to cover out of all the events – we are only as good as the network!

Have you had any funny moments?

Steve:  Steve ‘Locky’ Lock has been known to talk away to what he thinks is an audience before realising that the microphone isn’t turned on. It’s probably the funniest moment and also the most frustrating all at the same time… but it’s so easy to do!

Have you had any dramatic incidents?

Steve: Just from droning gig events, I have lost 5 drones… if you haven’t lost a drone you aren’t trying hard enough! Drones shouldn’t go up in certain wind speeds or in the rain.

Last year, in 2022, I took a massive risk during the Men’s final to put the drone up in the rain to capture Looe winning their third consecutive gold – it was worth it!

What does the future hold?

Steve: Technology is changing all the time, so watch this space. We are constantly trying to improve but some things like weather conditions simply can’t be overcome.

If the Stream Team are not livestreaming at WPGC it could be that they are struggling with:

• Wind speed – above 16mph, it is a struggle to fly due as the wind drains the battery, but the absolute limit for the drone is 20mph at which point it won’t take flight.
• Rain – the drone cannot fly in the rain and we will struggle with our live stream cameras.
• Grounded drones – one year, we lost two drones at the WPGC which put a stop to live streaming

 

 

 

Introducing the Team

We are excited to introduce this year’s team which is made up of photographers, commentators, tech specialists, a drone pilot and a video camera crew:

 

Ryan is a master of all trades and has been known to juggle many roles to keep the show on the road.  As the main man of the stream team, Ryan organises most aspects of the technical side, as well as commentating and managing the live stream feeds. If challenges arise, Ryan could be skippering the boat, retrieving drones, fixing equipment, resolving bandwidth issues and generally trouble-shooting. Ryan has been rowing since he was 11 years old and is currently a member of Mount’s Bay Rowing club, totalling up 19 times attending the WPGC 19 times. Outside of the Stream Team, Ryan works with Fal River Cornwall.

 

Beckie has been a GigRower volunteer for many years. You may have seen her around at various events taking photos. Beckie really enjoys photography and loves catching racing faces. When she’s not behind the camera, Beckie is a Maths teacher and has competed twice at the WPGC with Looe Rowing Club. Having been a valued part of the team for 8 years, this is Beckie’s third time in the Stream Team at the WPGC.

Photographer Gail, is a member of Bude Rowing Club and has been a part of our wonderful community for 5 years. When she’s not snapping away behind the camera, Gail works at Apple as a Technical Specialist. Gail has volunteered for the Stream Team on many occasions and this is her third time attending the WPGC.

Kallum is volunteering with us on Friday at this year’s Champs, as a crucial part of the camera crew. Kallum is also competing in the Open races for Bude Rowing Club, so remember to give him a big cheer! Kallum has been a part of Bude Rowing Club for 4 years and this is his second time racing at the WPGC. When he’s not on the water, Kallum is a Sales Assistant at Games Workshop.

Chudleigh aka ‘Chuds’ has a fortunate life, being married to Beckie. This year will be the second appearance for Chuds on the Stream Team at the WPGC, stepping from the role of Skipper into a new role as commentator. Chuds has been associated with Looe Rowing Club for 24 years and is a WPGC old timer, having attended the event more than 20 times.

Locky is also a member of the commentary team. We are fortunate to have had Locky in our community for over 10 years, with this being his 12th appearance at the WPGC. Locky’s high energy and depth of knowledge about gig rowing makes him an excellent addition to the team, and is why we ask him back time and time again! Not one to shy away, this year we are hoping you will be able to see Locky on camera, so keep your eyes peeled. When he’s not talking about gig rowing, Locky is a company Director.

This year, we welcome Nicola to the Stream Team family as a commentator. Nicola currently works for the NHS as Head of Strategy and Planning. Since taking up rowing in 2015, Nicola is an experienced rower, having rowed for Appledore, Falmouth and more recently Fowey, since starting a family. This will be Nicola’s 6th time attending the Champs having narrowly missed out on a place in the final in 2019.

Steve aka ‘The Drone Guy’ is our amazing Drone Operator. Since taking to the skies at regattas and gig events in 2017, Steve has filmed the WPGC and other gig rowing championships on many occasions. You may have seen him skillfully landing a drone onto a moving boat- always nerve wracking to watch! Steve currently has his own company transporting caravans and vehicles, Complete Movements.

Marquita will also be part of the video camera crew. Currently a member with Falmouth Gig Club, Marquita has been a part of our wonderful community for over 10 years. Marquita is helping us out this year having enjoyed her stint on the team at Newquay Champs in September, making it her 5th WPGC. Marquita currently works at a University.