The future of gig rowing was out in force at Copperhouse Pool on Sunday 29th June as 25 junior crews descended on Hayle for the Under 14 Championships, a day packed with racing, cheering, and the kind of memories that make you fall in love with the sport.
Against the scenic backdrop of King George’s Memorial Walk, transformed into a vibrant hub of stalls, food, and family-friendly fun, Hayle Pilot Gig Club established a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the day.
On the water, the action came thick and fast, with nine heats in Round 1. Promising times were laid down by Swanage, turning heads with 3:57, while Mount’s Bay A flew down the course in 3:53. River Fowey also impressed, taking Heat 4 by the tightest of margins, just 0.91 seconds ahead of Mount’s Bay B.
Round 2 saw some particularly tight racing with crews determined to secure their places in the Quarter Finals. In Heat 1 Helford, Newquay A and St Marys B all crossed the line within 4 seconds of each other – a nail biting spectacle!
Those crews not progressing to the Quarter Finals enjoyed another round of racing in the Plate Round. Across the 3 heats, it was Newquay B in Heat 1 and Yealm B and Crews in Heat 2 and 3 that secured places in the Plate Final.
In the Quarter Finals, four heats of three boats took to the course with all but one crew securing times of under four minutes. Heat 1 was won by Swanage, whilst St Mary’s A took Heat 2 over a determined Mounts Bay A. Heat 3 saw a dead heat between Helford and Cadgwith A and in Heat 4 Falmouth narrowly pipped River Fowey to first place by less than a second.
In the Semi Final, 9 crews pushed hard across three heats looking for one of four places in the final. In Heat 1, Swanage led with a time of 3:48. Heat 2 produced two qualifying crews with Mounts Bay A finishing ahead of St Marys A. In Heat 3, Helford secured a place in the Final with a time of 3:49.
The Plate Final saw a real tussle between Yealm B and Newquay B which despite an early lead by Newquay ended in triumph for a determined and deserving Yealm B.
Spectators on the shore gathered in readiness for the last race of the day, the Final. All four boats flew off the start line. Helford in Emma Louise dropped slightly off the pace leaving Swange in Killigerran, St Mary’s A in Spy and Mounts Bay A in their own boat, Kensa, fighting it out down the course. Mounts Bay A managed to stay in touch with the front runners throughout but found themselves in third place as Swanage edged into the lead, followed by St Marys A. Swanage worked hard to hold back the competition, but St Marys A were not content with second place and exerted huge pressure on them in the final stretch, crossing the line just in front of Swanage in a very closely fought and exciting Final. Some of the young spectators looked nearly as out of breath as the rowers, having run along King George’s Walk alongside the boats as they raced, shouting their support!
Supporters gave further appreciation for the crews at the Presentation where St Mary’s C were awarded Top Girls Crew for their performance in Round 2. Mounts Bay were awarded their third place medals, Swanage second place and St Mary’s A were crowned Under 14 Champions, a welcome improvement on the previous year, when they were runners up.
The event was enthusiastically supported by Toms Holidays, a long-standing part of the Hayle community and the perfect destination for families and friends looking for a peaceful coastal getaway. Just minutes from stunning Hayle Beach, Toms offers everything from surfing and swimming to laid-back holiday comfort – making it an ideal base for gig rowers and supporters alike.
Sponsorships like these are vital to the success of grassroots events and youth rowing. They help clubs create safe, welcoming, and inspiring spaces for the next generation to discover the sport – and ensure regattas like this one continue to grow year on year.
As ever with the U14 Champs, the emphasis was as much on enjoyment and inclusion as it was on competition. Composite and debut crews were warmly welcomed, with the day offering valuable experience for new rowers and a brilliant chance for clubs to come together in the spirit of gig rowing.
With the boats being loaded back on their trailers, the day wrapped up with tired arms, big smiles, and a few ice creams for good measure. Hayle’s signature blend of racing and community once again delivered – and the future of our sport looks bright.
Jamie from Hayle Pilot Gig Club said, “It is always a joy to host the U14 Championships and see the young people showing their amazing rowing skills. This year felt like a real community event, both for Hayle and the whole rowing community. Thanks to all participating clubs, especially those loaning boats, volunteers, supporters, everybody at HPGC – and to Toms Holidays – for making it one to remember.”
Final Results
1st: St Mary’s A
2nd: Swanage
3rd: Mount’s Bay A
4th: Helford
Top Girls Crew: St Mary’s C
Watch every race now on the GigRower YouTube channel – the full U14 Championships playlist is live here.
Head to the GigRower Facebook page for photo highlights from across the day.
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