Roadford Races Round 1

A big thanks to Neil Dennet from Bude for providing us with the following update. 

On the 14th January 2024, Bude Pilot Gig Club hosted its first regatta at Roadford Lakes, courtesy of the South West Lakes Trust. This was the first of four scheduled regattas for North Coast gig clubs prior to the World Championships in the Isles of Scilly at the beginning of May.

Over the winter months, clubs rely on training on rowing machines or the water to keep them fit, but nothing compares to racing on the water against another club!

Eight clubs took part in Sunday’s regatta, with a total of 10 boats racing 2000 metres down the beautiful lake. Race categories included all age groups from Juniors to Masters, as well as A & B races, vets and supervets.

Competition was fierce but the atmosphere was very friendly.  Members of the different clubs chatted and mingled – especially around the barbeque which served prime burgers and bacon, supplied by the Cornish Farmhouse Bacon Company, through one of Bude’s valued members. The cake stall was also very popular as a wide variety of cakes baked by Bude’s members were on offer.   

The weather was very cold but the sun came out and moods were high: a great day’s racing. 

Scoring was close but those clubs who took part in every category were at the top of the leaderboard. First was Appledore in Verbena, followed by Bude in Barrel Rock, then Tamar and Tavy in Birlanda. 

Photo credit: G&B Photography

34 rowers from Torridge woke at the crack of dawn and travelled to the lake to participate in the first fixture of the league. 

Sian Davies from Torridge said, “Roadford Lake offers a fantastic regatta venue particularly when the weather can be tricky for sea rowing, helping bring our club together especially in the winter months, and with the races being monthly it gives us all a focus and something to look forward to.”

Sarra Collins, also from Torridge, told us that the straight course and wide space made it a great race for first time coxes. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to experience the racing environment. 

As well as being the perfect opportunity for beginner coxes, it was a similar story for novice rower Allen Heath-Coleman from Torridge. “Roadford was my first regatta having only joined a few months before Christmas. It had a great atmosphere and was a fantastic experience for my first ever race as a rower. It was a great way to understand and feel why so many people enjoy pilot gig rowing. I will now always have the happy memories of Roadford lake being my first.”

There was a lot of excitement in the air as clubs had the opportunity to get out racing again. 

“It was so much fun to be out on the water again! Calm conditions and for many of us our first race since September! Thank you Bude for hosting!” Paul South, Illfracombe. 

Photo credit: G&B Photography

We chatted to Gail from G & B Photography who gave us a different perspective on racing throughout the winter season. 

“These events are becoming extremely important during the winter as they are preparation for the upcoming spring events. It is great to get in a boat and race in the winter and you can see the crews use them as training for the WPGC.
I feel very lucky to be able to participate in these events as winter training is now crucial to all events especially as the sport is growing so much.
It was a lovely event and very friendly. As a photographer my hobby is to capture all the racing faces and you will be surprised by the conversations I hear the crew say about them.
It was a really great day even with the early start and chill in the air but the excitement kicked in and woke/warmed everyone up. Riding about on the rib alongside the crews gave me a close look at the concentration and sheer determination on the rowers faces which is something I love to capture with my camera.” Gail from G & B photography

Bude would like to say thank you to everyone who took part and who made the day such a success. 

The GigRower team can’t wait to see how the leaderboard progresses over the next three fixtures of the Roadford Races.