First Regatta For Porlock Weir

On Saturday the 16th of March Porlock Weir Gig Club hosted their very first regatta, sponsored by Shearwell Data Livestock Systems. 

It was the perfect opportunity for crews to gain race experience ahead of the 2024 World Pilot Gig Championships in May.

Crews from Ilfracombe, Bristol, Clevedon, Burnham-on-Sea, Portishead, Weymouth and Midland Cornish Rowing Club participated in the regatta held at Wimbleball Lake. Perched high in the Exmoor National Park, the lake often encounters wet and wild conditions, Saturday was no exception. 

Despite the weather, crews had a great day out on the water. 

Photo credit: Porlock Weir Gig Club

Alex Gregory, two-time Olympic Champion and five-time World Champion, joined in the action and also got involved in some racing. Alex raced with Porlock Weir Men’s crew, making his racing debut after only one session in a gig prior to the event. 

Photo credit: Jon Barrett

There was some tough competition across the field, the winners of each category were as follows: 

Women’s Masters, sponsored by Somerset Climate Control: Weymouth

Men’s Masters, sponsored by Paper Pixels: Bristol

Women’s B, sponsored by The Colour Centre Minehead: Ilfracombe

Men’s B, sponsored by Somerset Climate Control: Ilfracombe

Women’s Vets, sponsored by Southwest Customized Clothing: Bristol

Men’s Vets, sponsored by Beechtree Engineering: Portishead

Women’s A, sponsored by Window Woman and Locksmith: Ilfracombe

Men’s A, sponsored by Alex Gregory & Mind, Body, Row: Ilfracombe

Overall winners: Weymouth

Well done to those who competed and to Porlock Weir GC for hosting a successful event. 

Porlock Weir Gig Club would like to give special thanks to Shearwell Data, South West Lakes, Wimbleball Rowing Club and all of the race sponsors.