This year’s Juniors and Masters Regatta, hosted by Appledore Pilot Gig Club, welcomed 37 crews from 11 clubs. The idea for the event originated over a year ago during a committee meeting. With Appledore’s excellent venue and a passionate team driving the vision, the regatta quickly became a reality.
Appledore’s committee decided that traditional trophies wouldn’t capture the spirit of JAM. Instead, the club’s junior coordinator suggested a more personal touch and enlisted her daughter Caitlin, a recent graduate in silversmithing and jewelry from Truro & Penwith College, to design and create handcrafted trophies. As a fellow rower, Caitlin embraced the challenge, crafting designs that blended craftsmanship with sentimentality. Using pewter, she recreated the texture of well-worn leathers and incorporated deliberately uneven edges to give each piece a unique character.
Caitlin shared her pride in contributing to the club that supported her rowing journey, “Many people help you learn when you’re a junior, so I was delighted to do my bit to support the club in a new way.”
The trophies’ wave embellishments, inspired by Appledore’s logo, also pay tribute to the late club president Len White, whose headstone features similar detailing. The project was a true team effort, with club founding partner Richard crafting pins and club member Miles supplying timber for the bases.
The inaugural JAM Regatta was a tremendous success, and its warm reception hints at it becoming a staple in the gig rowing calendar. The day’s races showcased the incredible talent within the rowing community, with standout victories including:
- Junior Trophy: Boscastle & Crackington
- Women’s Title: Lyme Regis
- Open Trophy: Appledore
- Plate Winners: Appledore Juniors, Weymouth Ladies, and Barnstaple Open
Photo credit: Caitlin Haughton
As the regatta wrapped up with smiles, trophies, and plenty of stories to share, excitement was already building for next year’s event. Appledore extends heartfelt thanks to Kingsley School as event sponsor, the race sponsors, and the dedicated members of Appledore Pilot Gig Club whose hard work made the day such a success.
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