Thanks to David Purchase of Boscastle & Crackington Gig Club & Rock Rowing Club for this celebratory account!
In 2023, several members of Boscastle & Crackington Gig Club had finished working on their oldest gig, “Rival” No 17! The timing could not have been better. The idea to re-float the boat came as March quickly approached and it was determined that 5th March could work for tides out from Rock and onto the Camel Estuary. Once the date was set, more rowers wanted to attend, so a second boat, Pentargon was readied. Glorious weather made for a great day on the estuary and a visit into Padstow Harbour where ‘Oggy, Oggy, Oggy’, was shouted out to wake the onlookers! Rock Rowing Club had been out on the water and as we and they packed their boat away, a few of them joined us for an impromptu chat and share of tea and scones.
That day had sown a seed…..
2024 St Piran’s Day Raid! Was to be the title for the event as we had “raided” Padstow Harbour the previous year shouting out Oggy……. Why not do it all again and ask Rock Rowing Club to come along? With Rock involved, the numbers increased and two sorties were needed to cater for the numbers of rowers. The second outing included a stop for a beer or two once the boats had been tethered and the earlier crew members had taken the ferry to join us. They also collected the pasties! We had also invited a few friends from Bude Gig Club two of whom had brought along a fiddle and guitar to tune us in for a “Shout!” So assembled at the Rock RNLI Slipway we all sang Trelawany and Cornwall My Home!
Sadly 2025 was not to happen….
2026!
We extended the ‘oar’ to more in the gig community. Boscastle & Crackington, with the collaboration and support of Rock, extended invitations to Port Isaac and Bude who took to the water from Rock RNLI slipway to ‘raid’ Padstow Harbour on St Piran’s Day.
The day started with gigs arriving, off loading at low tide. Geoff from Rock RC led a Coxs’ meeting whilst the eager rowers waited to take to the gigs. Five gigs took to the water, off and away in convoy out of the Camel Estuary towards the Doom Bar where the flotilla turned between Daymer Bay and Hawkers Cove. The boats in turn entered the outer Harbour at Padstow for the ‘raid’ and once gathered we all shouted ‘Oggy, Oggy, Oggy’,….. which we were told could be heard from Rock!
The weather had held for the first of the outings but failed us on the second! Hardy rowers tackled a heavy incoming tide and a choppy crossing back to Rock only to be soaked by a downpour… the return could not come soon enough! With the weather changing the gigs returned for well earned pasties and refreshments. The ay was finished off with a traditional Cornish “Shout” of “Trelawney” and “Cornwall My Home”, accompanied by Judith and Bill from Bude Pilot Gig Club.
Our day was supported by the cooperation of all those who attended and with supplies for all from Firebrand, Haywood Farm Cider and Barnecutts Bakery Rock. The event also raised £50, donated to the RNLI.
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