Arriving at Saltash Waterside at 6:30 am on Saturday 29th July, I was met by a flurry of people in blue jackets and shirts setting up the green for the Mixed Championships 2023.
Spirits were high as the sun began to break through the morning cloud and trailers began to pull into the car park, as morning coffees and bacon baps were served and the first crews began to register.
With 60 races taking place across seven hours, the Mixed Championships is a huge undertaking of careful planning and organisation. 37 clubs were in attendance this year, with 53 crews registered for the Open category, 19 for the Vets, 20 for the Super Vets and 2 in the Junior category, both of which from Fowey Gig Club.
The first Open heats kicked off on time, with those placing first and second going through to the quarter finals and the rest competing in the repechage.
The day mostly went without a hitch, however did feature a couple of scuffles at the marks in the Mixed Open Quarter Finals, entangling Truro in Blackbird, Ilfracombe in Azook and Killigerran
The StreamTeam captured some excellent content streamed live to GigRower Facebook, despite grounding the drone due to high winds. Thanks to the crew:
Beckie Chudleigh – Photography
James Chudleigh – Commentary
Ryan Watts – Commentary
Steve Strachan – Camera Operator
Throughout the day, the Saltash Regatta and Waterside festival provided a backing track nearby on the South Green, with food trucks, live music and family entertainment. The Mixed Championships make up one half of a bumper weekend of racing, with the Saltash Regatta taking place on the Sunday.
The event was a show of teamwork and collective effort, such a feat that wouldn’t have been possible without the pulling together of Caradon Gig Club members who were keeping busy throughout the day. From helping on the pontoon as the crews swapped in the loan boats to head out for their races, in the food tent, selling raffle tickets, in the tower keeping the races to schedule and out on the safety boats – the operation was so slick that the event was even running 5 minutes ahead of time at one point.
“I just wanted to say thanks to all of the club members – this event required massive teamwork from all those in the club. With weeks ahead of planning and preparation from Leanne organising the draw behind the scenes, to the team being on hand all day yesterday and pulling together to take everything back down again. It really shows this year that as a club, we are able to get good results on the river and also run the event simultaneously.” Naomi Philpot
The Fowey Gig Club Juniors waited their turn to take to the water to take place in their final. It was a closely contested race, with Fowey A just taking the lead to cross the line. We caught up with Lily and Emily from the crew, fresh from a cooling dip in the river:
“We did the full adult course which was a bit harder but it still went well. It was quite close coming down the last stretch but we pulled together and got the lead.
It would have been exciting to race against more crews, so we didn’t go full out, but it was still good.
We’d tell other young people to just do it, give it a go – it’s so fun and full on, but you’ll love it”
Fowey Gig Club Juniors cooling off
The raffle was drawn, with prizes from local companies including Cornish Mermaid and Trevethan Gin before the presentations took place – 77 medals in total being awarded to those placing in the top three of each category and trophies for the winning crews.
The day ended much as it started, with the crew from Caradon Gig Club springing into action this time to tear down the event infrastructure in a show of teamwork and collective effort.
“People were really responsive to the demands of the day. Just wanted to say thanks to the clubs who loaned gigs to facilitate the event and to the CPGA for their support, too” Naomi Philpot
Well done to everyone who took part in the Mixed Championships 2023, and special congratulations to the winners.
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