Bembridge Harbour will host the 6th annual Bembridge Gig Fest this weekend, with a new trophy being awarded for the first time.
The event, taking place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May, has become a fixture in the Isle of Wight water sports calendar and is the Island’s only festival of its kind.
Organised by Bembridge Harbour Authority and Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club, with support from Brading Haven Yacht Club, the festival is open to traditional fixed-seat rowing boats, including gigs and galleys.
This year will see the debut of the Solent Spirit Trophy, commissioned by Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club and designed and made by local carpenter Guy Mowles.
Crafted from West Wight Macrocarpa wood, the trophy will be awarded to the most successful club across the weekend. Its name reflects both one of Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club’s Cornish pilot gig boats and the strong community spirit within the sport.
Fixed-seat coastal rowing has enjoyed a major resurgence in recent years and offers a colourful contrast to the sliding-seat rowing seen at Olympic level. Organisers say the weekend offers a chance for spectators to see an inclusive and increasingly popular sport up close.
Clubs taking part this year include Southsea Shovellers, Langstone Pilot Gig Club, Langstone Cutters, Island Rowing Club, Swanage Sea Rowing Club and Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club.
Racing on Saturday will take place from 10:30 to 13:30, with multiple 2km straight-line races between Seagrove Bay and St Helens Beach. Spectators will be able to watch from Priory Bay or at the finish line in front of St Helens Church.
A Bembridge Gig Fest social will then be held at Duver Marina from 18:30, with music from local band The Lazerhearts, pizzas from the Duver Cafe, a BBQ and Steve’s Bar. The evening is open to both crews and spectators.
On Sunday, racing will begin at 11:00 with a 2km race around St Helens Fort and back, with boats setting off at 2-minute intervals and the fastest time deciding the winner. These races can be viewed from Silver Sands Beach.
Keith Campbell, Chair of Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club, said:
“The weekend is a real celebration of gig rowing as it grows in popularity in the UK, and the Isle of Wight is a perfect place to bring other rowing clubs together and award, for the very first time, the Solent Spirit Trophy to the overall winning team of the weekend.”
