Jurassic Gig Rowing League

ROWING LEAGUE RETURNS WITH UNDER 16’s LEAGUE

►Report by Jackie Tutt, Jurassic Gig Rowing League

IT'S BACK! One of the largest coastal rowing

leagues in the UK returns, and introduces a new U16's league.

February 2022: Attracting 400 rowers, from ten clubs, and strong growth in new members seeking an active healthy life style; the Jurassic Gig Rowing League sponsored by AEP Compressed Air Technologies returns for 2022.

Membership for every club has grown since the end of Lockdown with a real interest in Gig Rowing and trying something different. Clubs from Bridport, Combwich, Exmouth, Langstone, Lyme Regis, Poole, Portland, Sidmouth, Swanage, and Weymouth last met in Poole in 2019 to celebrate the end of a season of gig racing. Since the start of Covid, clubs have kept in contact with Zoom meetings during Lockdown, offering each other support and guidance and sharing ideas on how to create a safe return to their much-loved sport. Now, the excitement is truly building for all ten clubs as the Jurassic Gig Rowing League makes its much anticipated return where members new and old can finally meet-up and race each other, and build on the momentum and growth pre-pandemic.

The Jurassic Gig Rowing League regattas attract over 400 gig rowers, plus their families, friends, and supporters. They are a fantastic way to spend a weekend whether you are racing or spectating and truly provide a colourful spectacle and hive of activity wherever they go. Tourist and locals can't help but stop and admire the traditional style fixed-seat gig rowing, with crews lifting their oars up high, rowing away in unison, or the boats lined along the beach bringing a truly wonderful celebration of rowing to the coastal community.

Due to the popular demand and interest, the Jurassic Gig Rowing League will look a little different for 2022 with two exciting changes.

The point scoring categories have been extended to include a Men’s and Ladies SuperVets (over 50) race which now means the point scoring categories will include:

 Men's A, Ladies A  Men's B, Ladies B  Men's and Ladies Vets (over 40)  Men’s and Ladies SuperVets (over 50)  Mixed races

This gives more opportunities for gig rowers to compete and win medals and trophies within the Jurassic League. Good news for new rowers enjoying their first dip into gig rowing and racing and really encouraging to include SuperVets who are usually the most competitive!

The Junior Jurassic Regional Under 16's Gig Rowing League Sponsored by AEP Compressed Air Technologies

Probably the most exciting news is the introduction of a dedicated Junior Jurassic Regional Under 16s Gig Rowing League to run in tandem with the Adult League. This Junior Jurassic League, which is believed to be the first of its kind, is designed to introduce and promote Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing throughout the region and offers a fantastic opportunity to engage with more young people.

It is the first to be established within the CPGA and it will also encourage clubs who presently do not have junior rowers to take some positive action to involve young people into the sport.

Every Jurassic League club hosting a regatta will include a Junior U16s race and all clubs are invited to use this as a showcase to other clubs presently without Junior crews.

Jurassic Gig Rowing League clubs are fortunate to have the continued sponsorship from AEP Compressed Air Technologies who have sponsored the Jurassic League since its introduction. They are keen to be associated with the sport of Gig Rowing and with their headquarters in Honiton, it makes them perfectly placed near all the action.

This year they will extend their sponsorship to the exciting new Jurassic Junior Gig Rowing League by providing medals to the top placed three junior crews at each Regatta plus a Trophy to the League Winning Crew at the end of the season. Langstone Pilot Gig Club will provide the Scoreboards and track each event keeping the momentum and excitement going throughout the Summer. 

JURASSIC GIG ROWING LEAGUE REGATTA DATES 2022

The five clubs who will hold the Point Scoring Jurassic Regattas for 2022 are:-

 28th May 2022 = Weymouth  18th June 2022 = Swanage  2nd July 2022 = Bridport  30th July 2022 = Langstone  13th August 2022 = Lyme Regis

Sidmouth, Exmouth, and Poole will hold Regattas that will be well attended and supported, but these will not be Point Scoring towards the Jurassic League. Combwich and Portland are unable to hold Regattas due to restrictions with their locations. Moving forward clubs will ensure that the Point Scoring Regatta allocation is fairly shared amongst Jurassic clubs at the start of each year. All clubs are members of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association.

For more information, please contact email Jackie at jackietutt@outlook.com