Lyme Regis Hosts Double Regatta Weekend

Thanks to Scott Monger of Lyme Regis Gig Club for this report.

Lyme Regis Gig Club hosted a spectacular weekend of Cornish Pilot Gig racing on the 16th and 17th of May 2026, welcoming crews from across the gig rowing community. The weather was not always kind – making for more challenging and exciting rowing.

Masters Regatta – Saturday 16th May

Saturday’s Masters Regatta set the tone for the weekend, showcasing a wealth of experience and tactical racing across multiple categories. Crews battled through a packed schedule of heats and finals, delivering close finishes and impressive performances.

Lyme Regis crews made a strong showing on home water, with both the Women’s and Men’s A crews reaching their respective finals at the same event for the first time.

River Teign stood out with a series of commanding results, including top finishes in key races, while Torridge also impressed with multiple podium-level performances across categories. 

Crews from Appledore, Langstone, and Swanage all featured prominently across different events. The breadth of participation and the spread of results highlighted just how competitive Masters gig rowing has become.

Open Regatta – Sunday 17th May

Sunday’s Open Regatta brought a full programme of categories including Senior, Vets, Junior, and Mixed categories.

Lyme Regis, delivered an outstanding all-round performance to secure 1st place overall with 28 points – a fantastic achievement built on consistent top finishes across nearly every race category. 

Hot on their heels were Swanage, taking 2nd place overall with 43 points, driven by excellent results in both Men’s and Women’s categories. Brixham completed the podium in 3rd place, continuing their strong showing across multiple divisions.

Other notable performances came from Weymouth (4th) and Portland (5th), both demonstrating depth across categories, while Langstone and Bridport finished mid-table after solid, consistent racing. 

The regatta featured particularly strong racing in the Junior and Mixed categories, reflecting the continued growth of participation at all levels. The atmosphere on the water and along the shore was electric, with spectators treated to a full day of high-quality racing.