Epic Adventure For Mevagissey Rowing Club

Thanks to Gareth Vest and Carrie Morris for this article. 

Sunday, 25th May saw Mevagissey Rowing Club undertake their epic row between the historic Cornish fishing harbours of Newlyn and Mevagissey. This was done as a relay to give every member of this vibrant club to take part to raise funds towards the purchase of their new gig being built by Andrew Nancarrow later this year, and also in aid of the RNLI and the Fishermen’s Mission. 

The Launch from Newlyn 

The first leg from Newlyn to Cadgwith was rowed by the open crew and left Newlyn Harbour at 1030. Special thanks must go to the Harbour Commission for allowing us to leave a gig moored up overnight, and the Zennor Gig Club who not only lent a trailer to facilitate the whole endeavour, but who turned up especially to see us off. The first leg straight across Mounts Bay was great fun. We started in the lea of the land with perfectly flat water with a strong Westerly wind which grew into a large swell with plenty of white horses. As we progressed across the bay, with the gig in the expert hands of cox Martin Walton, the crew were confident at all times and really appreciated the wind and stern swell pushing them along. 

Changing Course for Safety 

Unfortunately, on the advice of Patch Harvey (RNLI Penlee Coxswain), it was deemed unsafe to round the Lizard on this occasion with 3m + waves, so we headed for Porthleven Harbour. Again the gig community really stepped up in the form of Ken from Porthleven who advised us on a safe harbour entry. Due to the large surf crashing on reefs that straddle the harbour entrance we rounded up a few club members to help us recover the gig for a quick road trip to Cadgwith to relaunch. Anyone who has towed a gig into Cadgwith will know that this was not a decision taken lightly, but safety had to come first. The open crew are committed to returning to Porthleven over the summer and rounding the Lizard in more favourable conditions. 

 Photo credit: Mevagissey Rowing Club

Cadgwith to Falmouth: Battle of the Elements

Once at Cadgwith we re-launched and handed over to the ladies for a gentle row in the lea of the Lizard (or so we thought!!!) The first few kilometres we had a lively stern sea and wind that helped us progress at a good speed until Porthallow. We were beam on as we made our way toward Gyllyngvase Beach and the swell rapidly intensified funneling out of Helford river with a washing machine-like quality and regular dosing of water over the crew. This made the last 14 km to Gyllyngvase a continuous slog of sea spray and pitching of the boat. 

Carrie Morris, Club Chairperson said, “At one point it felt like we were riding a bucking bronco whilst someone threw buckets of water over us!”

After a gruelling 90 minutes of gritted teeth and soggy clothes the ladies made the 24 km to Gyllyngvase Beach in one piece and handed over to the next group, some of which had made it from Cadgwith to join in again! 

Photo credit: Mevagissey Rowing Club

The Party Boat 

After a bit of chop between Falmouth and St Mawes the crew enjoyed more sedate waters into Portscatho with the wind and sea constantly on the stern. This was the party leg, plenty of loud music and raucous laughter that could be heard as they arrived into Portscatho! The boat was then taken onto Portloe, another gentler row and a great opportunity for our less experienced rowers to have a go. Taking on the Dodman From Portloe, at which point we had a mixed crew of the open and women’s crews, as we knew it would begin getting a bit more spicy as we rounded Dodman (perhaps not the best day to find out that this is a corruption of Deadman’s Point!) an inauspicious name for those in a boat bobbing around the headland! However on this occasion the headland was in a less playful mood with its strong currents and waves forcing Silver Fox onward and safely into Gorran for our final stretch to Mevagissey, at this point we were already at 9:15pm and so it was going to be a late arrival. 

A Welcome Home Pasty 

The boat made it into Mevagissey at 10pm to the applause from the welcoming committee on the harbour walls and a customary Oggy shout. We celebrated with pasties kindly donated by the lovely people from Wrecker’s Deli. An epic journey for the club to undertake and we have raised £5k so far and still counting. A huge big thank you to everyone who made it possible, supported, donated money and kept us motivated! If anyone would like to support these amazing charities and this epic endeavour all donations would be very welcome. 

Donations are welcome via the club’s JustGiving Page