Langstone Host Racing Weekend

Thanks to Chair of Langstone Pilot Gig Club, Clair Fennessy, for this article.

“It’s not all about the racing”, said one very happy rower from Brightlingsea UCSC Gig Rowing Club, who had travelled for almost three hours from the far, eastern coast of England to Langstone to race, and indeed, consume vast quantities of home made cake and local ale!

Langstone’s annual small, but perfectly formed, Gig Regatta on Saturday 28th June, was followed by the Round Hayling Race on the Sunday, making for a perfect weekend of racing.

Participating in the event were rowers from Poole, Weymouth, Coastal Rowing Academy, Brightlingsea UCSC and the recently formed gig section of Brading Haven Yacht Club. To attend the regatta, Brading Haven travelled over from their home base of Bembridge Harbour on the Isle of Wight to the North Island, better known as Hayling.

It was rewarding to see crews fielded in the Under 25 category race which was won by an exceptional crew from Weymouth, showing great form. Langstone U25 crew gave a brilliant performance, competing as a crew for the very first time.

Weymouth were by far the class act of the day winning the overall regatta. Langstone took second place honours overall with wins in the more mature Open categories. Brightlingsea came third overall. Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day came when Brightlingsea Women’s Vets received an award for winning their race. There was also general applause for the team from the East for bringing a lot of fun and enthusiasm with them all the way to the south coast.