The overriding feeling from this year’s World Pilot Gig Championships was simple: fast and furious.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
Across three extraordinary days, 471 crews and approximately 136 gigs contested 93 races across 10 categories, with clubs travelling from across England and Wales, alongside crews from The Netherlands and even Belfast, Maine, USA. A total of 210 World Championship medals and 20 group winner trophies were ultimately handed out, but the story of the weekend extended far beyond the podium headlines.
Photo credit: Duncan Scobie
Despite travel disruption before the event, the weather settled down just in time. Perfect conditions on the water only added to the intensity of the competition. Calm seas and almost no wind created ideal racing water, resulting in a blistering pace throughout the event. The race management team delivered an extraordinary feat, with rounds regularly turning around in around 45 minutes, unheard of at this event. For the commentary team, it was exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure, with heats constantly appearing down the course and barely a second to catch their breath between finishes.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
The racing throughout the championships was incredibly competitive. In one women’s group race, all 12 boats crossed the line within just 35 seconds of each other – and there were heats even tighter than that. From Group K right through to Group A, crews arrived race-ready and fiercely competitive, undoubtedly reflecting the growing impact of winter leagues and improved racing opportunities around the country. This was especially evident among clubs from Devon and Dorset, whose performances across the weekend were hugely impressive.
Friday
The Women’s category racing kicked off the event, followed by controversy in the Open category racing when lead boat, Polvarth of Roseland, suffered disqualification for being outside their designated section at the start of the race.
Photo credit: Barnaby Clark
The first Finals of the weekend yielded Masters category winners with Kensa of Mounts Bay taking the top spot in the Women’s and Ann Glanville of Caradon retaining their title in the Open.
Photo credit: Barnaby Clark
Saturday
Falmouth in Fury led confidently in the Women’s Vets category from start to finish. Mounts Bay in Ictis put up a big fight half way through to claim second, pushing Caradon in An Dhowrlann into third.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
In the Open Vets, Devon celebrated success after Appledore in Whitford powered past Caradon in An Dhowrlann to take first place, whilst Dart in Smudger fought off Bude in Summerleaze to take third.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
In the Women’s Super Vets, a newly formed and determined Helford River crew in Voose were the victors of a relentless battle against last year’s winners, Teign in Teign Spirit, and Salcombe in Bolt.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
In the Open Super Vets, a dominant performance from Caradon in Amazon secured them the title for the fifth consecutive time, followed by Falmouth in Fury, closely followed by Lyme Regis in Ammonite, making Dorset proud.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
Sunday
In the Women’s Senior racing, last year’s winner, Helford in Voose, held off River Fowey in Q to take the top spot. Truro, in Carrick, saved their best performance for the Final, securing bronze and pushing Caradon in An Dhowrlann into a reluctant fourth place. Roseland in Polvarth emerged as standout performers, looking strong throughout the championships and announcing themselves as genuine contenders. Falmouth and Mount’s Bay Women’s Vets crews (who finished 1st & 2nd in that category respectively), both also competed in the Women’s Senior Group A final against fierce opposition. Caradon B’s sixth-place overall finish, just two places behind their A crew, and Fowey B reaching the Group A Final underlined the increasing depth of the clubs at the top end of the sport.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
In the Open Senior category, a three-way dead heat in Round 3 meant that 13 gigs lined up in the Group A final instead of the traditional 12. The Group A Final created not one, but two, world champions crews. Falmouth A, in Fury, claimed the Open Senior title, ending Looe’s awe-inspiring six-year reign. Falmouth’s overall strength was particularly striking, placing three crews into the Open Group A Final. Their B crew came fourth in Black Rock, and they also had a C crew in Carrick.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
The growth of the 25&U category was another hugely positive sign for the future, with 11 Open crews and 4 Women’s crews competing this year. The winners of the Women’s 25&U category were Mounts Bay in Ictis, with St Mary’s in Emma Louise in second and Falmouth in Black Rock in third. Throughout the championships, there was a strong sense of continuity within gig rowing: experienced rowers returning to race older boats still capable of competing at the highest level, while younger athletes seized their chance to shine on the biggest stage in the sport.
Photo credit: Barnaby Clark
In the Open 25&U, the St Mary’s 25&U crew in Tregarthen’s, secured gold in their age category and also raced into the Group A final itself, finishing 12th overall, a phenomenal accomplishment and one of the defining stories of the weekend. Newquay in Toby placed second and Mount’s Bay in Ictis came third, closely pursued by Looe in Samphire.
Photo credit: Barnaby Clark
For the full racing results visit the WPGC website here.
Photo credit: Barnaby Clark
Aside from the racing, participants enjoyed the other features that make the event special. Spirits at the Raft Up were not dampened by the arrival of rain. The Presentation was as entertaining as always, supplemented by sequins, fancy dress and ever creative dance moves. The after party vibes included great food and music at the gig shed, singing in town and bull antics at the Mermaid on the Quay.
Photo credit: Charlotte Stevens
In readiness for the journey home, rowers took advantage of Kath and Andrea’s last shift in the Tunnel and enjoyed their cooked breakfast. Plenty of willing competitors took part in Claire’s Rowing Machine Challenge in aid of her solo ocean row – https://coarnishmaid.com/
The work of the GigRower Stream Team showcased the racing to audiences far and wide. Whilst Stream Team footage was featured by the BBC and ITV, members of the gig rowing community from around the world tuned into the GigRower YouTube Channel.
Photo credit: Duncan Scobie
Producer Jay Smith said, “Thanks to everyone who took the time to ‘like and subscribe!’ to the YouTube Channel, it really does make all the difference to the team. We appreciated all audience comments during the racing, feedback is always encouraging and helps us to continually improve the broadcast.”
The team dedicated countless volunteer hours to producing coverage of the event, enabling supporters across the world to experience the event live. Over the course of the weekend, commentators Esther and Nicola, along with stalwart presenter Locky, spent 27.5 hours on the water covering every race. This year, crews were invited to submit information and stories ahead of racing, giving us a unique insight into the sacrifices, training, setbacks and determination required simply to make it to the start line. Those stories brought an even greater depth and humanity to the coverage.
Commentator Nicola Murdoch said, “It remains a privilege to hold the microphone at this event. To work alongside a team that gives so much time and energy voluntarily is genuinely inspiring. Commentating alongside Esther, a nine-time world champion and someone I spent years racing against, was another personal highlight. Neither of us rows competitively anymore – life, injuries and family eventually catch up with everyone, but the passion for the sport never disappears.
Spending hour after hour talking about gig rowing probably requires a very particular kind of person, but being able to help bring this remarkable event to people watching both on the islands and around the world is a genuine honour.”
The World Pilot Gig Championships continue to evolve every year, but 2026 felt like another significant step forward – faster racing, broader competition, and a deeper field than ever before. If this year proved anything, it is that the future of the event is in very good hands. Support from Ann’s Pasties, St Ives Brewery and VX3 helped to strengthen the live stream coverage, which continues to be enjoyed on the GigRower Youtube Channel with over 80,000 views to date!
Photo credit: Duncan Scobie
GigRower StreamTeam credits:
Alison
Joby
Louis
Nicky
Jodie
Ben
Charlie
Tony
Charlotte
Felix
Laura
Monty
Tim
Camera
Alec
Commentators
Esther
Locky
Nicola
Research & Socials
Marquita
Jade
Production
Jay
Ryan
Drone
Duncan Scoble
Skipper
Rafe
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