More than 90 rowers descended on Bembridge Harbour over the weekend for the Isle of Wight’s only traditional fixed-seat rowing festival, with organisers hailing the event as the biggest and most successful yet.
Bembridge Gig Fest 2026, organised by Bembridge Harbour Authority and Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club, welcomed crews from across the South Coast for 2 days of racing last weekend, socialising and celebrations on the water.
The annual event brings together a range of traditional rowing boats, including Cornish Pilot Gigs and historic wooden Solent Galleys.
This year also saw the introduction of the Solent Spirit Trophy for the first time.
Keith Campbell, Chairman of Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club, said:
“We really seem to have established an Isle of Wight event of note with the Bembridge Gig Fest.
“As well as Cornish Pilot Gig boats, we managed to have 5 Solent Galleys out on the water with their own races, which is the first time that has happened anywhere for a long time I understand.”
Crews travelled from a number of clubs, including Swanage Sea Rowing Club, Langstone Pilot Gig Club, Island Gig Rowing Club, Langstone Cutters Rowing Club, Wittering Rowing Club and Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club.
Fiona Thorpe of Bembridge Harbour Authority said:
“Bembridge Harbour were delighted to host this year’s Bembridge Gig Fest, and together with co-organisers, Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club, welcome boats and rowers from clubs from across the South Coast, for a fantastic weekend of racing and socialising.
“This year was a huge success with more rowers than ever before.”
Saturday’s racing featured head-to-head contests over a 1km straight-line course, with 6 races taking place across Ladies, Mixed and Open categories.
The Cornish Pilot Gig Boat winners were Langstone Pilot Gig Club in the Ladies category, and Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club in both the Open and Mixed races.
In the Solent Galley races, Wittering Rowing Club won the Ladies and Mixed events, while Langstone Cutters Rowing Club took victory in the Open category.
Sunday’s competition saw crews complete a timed race around St Helens Fort, with boats setting off at 2-minute intervals.
Wittering Rowing Club claimed victory in both the Ladies and Open Solent Galley categories, while Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club won the Mixed race.
In the Cornish Pilot Gig Boat categories, Langstone Pilot Gig Club won the Ladies race and Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club secured victory in the Mixed category.
Bev Whitley of Langstone Cutters Rowing Club said:
“Thank you so much for an excellent weekend of racing and entertainment.
“Everything was fantastic, the racing, the catering, the party, the stunning location and the weather.
“The atmosphere on Saturday evening summed it all up, so many happy smiling rowers.
“It was lovely for us Langstone Cutters to line up with five Galleys on the water together in the Solent where they are meant to be.
“Thank you for all the hard work you put into the organisation and the excellent communications you sent out which made it so easy for us to take part. We would love to come back next year.”
