On 25 April 2023, Weston-super-Mare’s new Pilot Gig Rowing Club launched its ‘Crowdfunder’ to raise £20,000 to buy its first boat.
Sport England will match-fund £10,000 if the club can raise £10,000, and Gold-medal-winning Olympian and ocean rower James Cracknell OBE has pledged his support and presents the club’s fundraising video.
Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing is a friendly and welcoming sea-rowing sport with clubs active in nearby Burnham-on-Sea, Clevedon, Portishead, Bristol and beyond. Weston’s new charitable sporting club brings sea rowing to communities in this part of North Somerset for the first time.
Opening sea-rowing up to the community
In the Crowdfunder video, sporting legend James Cracknell says, “Weston-super-Mare’s new gig club is just getting off the ground but it needs your help. The club has many members from all walks of life and, with its own boats, can open out to the whole of the community. Please donate to this Crowdfunder, to help them buy a boat, or buy one of its rewards to help them get off the land. They’ll then be able to welcome more new members as well as youth and community groups, to experience all of the health, social and fun benefits this amazing sport has to offer.”
Image courtesy of NodPics
Support from North Somerset Council
Councillor Mike Solomon is North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Parks, Open Spaces and the Seafront. A firm supporter of Weston’s new gig club, Cllr Solomon said, “I’m excited about promoting gig racing in Weston-super-Mare. The sport’s health, fitness and community spirit benefits are going to be fantastic for the town and I hope you support their Crowdfunder.”
Image courtesy of NodPics
Buy or pledge a reward for the Crowdfunder
The Crowdfunder – which runs for eight weeks – has its own online page. It outlines the club, the amount it aims to raise (£10,000 in order to secure the Sport England £10,000) and what the money is for: the club’s first boats. You can simply donate or you can buy one of the Crowdfunder’s ‘rewards’ – all pledged by club members and local businesses. Rewards include:
-
Sit in the ‘pilot’ (non-rowing) seat for a rowing experience
-
A trial row
-
A dog-walking session
-
A sea-swimming lesson
-
A website design and build
-
Free pairs of tickets for local events
-
Your name on an oar
-
Corporate rowing experiences
-
Your company’s name on a boat
-
A download of the club’s sea shanty (coming soon)
-
Lots more, with more rewards added weekly
Buy rewards on the Crowdfunder, contact the club to pledge a reward for them to add to the page, or simply share the page on your social media channels to help support Weston Gig Club’s efforts to buy its first boat.
Getting Weston active after the pandemic
Getting active and fit again following the pandemic is so important, and sea-rowing is a social and fun way to do this while experiencing the area’s beautiful natural environment. David Crossman, from Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is helping the gig club get off the ground by looking into community grants that the club can access. David said, “VANS is supporting people to get active and fit after Covid.”
Image courtesy of NodPics
About Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing
Each boat has six rowers and a cox, with club members joining for the health and social benefits. For those who want to take part in friendly or more competitive events, there’s a year-round calendar of local and regional races and regattas. The Gig World Championships are held on the Isles of Scilly every spring – the 2023 championships are being held from 28-30 April. Attending the World Championships in 2024 is a very real ambition for the enthusiastic members of Weston’s new gig club – which welcomes applications from new members.
24-hour Row on the Grand Pier, Bingo nights and other fundraising events
The club took part in a 24 hour row on the 30th April – 1st May – check out this post to learn more about how they got on!
Weekly ‘Bingo, Raffle and Disco’ nights began on Tues 25 April, from 7.30pm-9.30pm at The Stage Door for eight weeks, in collaboration with Weston’s Over 50’s Meetup group. Car-boot sales, sponsored treks carrying oars and other events are also in the pipeline and news will be shared on the club’s Facebook page and website.
Image courtesy of NodPics
Support the Crowdfunder
Weston Gig Club’s current boat, the Walter Hicks, is on temporary loan from the Cornish Pilot Gig Association and has to be returned soon. If the club’s fundraising target isn’t reached, the club may then be left with no boat and the wellbeing, mental health and community benefits of this growing local club will be lost.
To support the Crowdfunder, visit: https://www.
Contact and membership details
-
Club website and membership info: https://westonpilotgigs.
club/ -
Imagery: Nodpics Imagery of Weston Gig Club (permission to use so long as credited – hi-res can potentially be supplied on request courtesy Nodpics)
-
Email: wsmgigclub@gmail.com (
comms) or membership@westonpilotgigs. club
No Comments on "Sport England and James Cracknell OBE support fundraiser from Weston’s new sea-rowing club to buy their first boat"