Bembridge Harbour played host to the annual Bembridge Gig Fest over the weekend, with rowers from across the South Coast taking part in the Isle of Wight’s only fixed seat rowing festival.
Organised by Bembridge Harbour Authority and Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club, the event attracted over 70 rowers and featured a variety of traditional boats including gigs and galleys.
Despite challenging weather, competitors delivered some of the fastest performances in the event’s history.
Saturday (14th June) saw head-to-head races over a 2km straight line course between Seagrove Bay and St Helens Beach.
The results were:
Mixed
- Cockleshell – Eastney Cruising Club
- Spirit – Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club
- Sir Alec Rose – Eastney Cruising Club
Women
- Star of Northney – Langstone Pilot Gig Club
- Spirit – Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club
- Cockleshell – Eastney Cruising Club
Open
- Cockleshell – Eastney Cruising Club
- Star of Northney – Langstone Pilot Gig Club
- Navigator – Tudor Sailing Club
On Sunday (15th June), a timed race around St Helens Fort tested each crew’s endurance. The first-place finishers were:
Mixed: Sea Spirit – Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club
Women: Sea Spirit – Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club
Open: Navigator – Tudor Sailing Club
Keith Campbell, Chairman of Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club, has said:
“The weather provided a challenging couple of days, with winds gusting up to Force 5 on Saturday and slightly less on Sunday, both blowing straight against the rowers, who had to battle the gusting wind and swirling tides, which combined into very choppy head seas. But they were all up for the challenge and produced some of the fastest times ever seen at the Gig Fest.”
Fiona Thorpe of Bembridge Harbour Authority adds:
“Bembridge Harbour were delighted to host the 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 truly wonderful weekend of racing and socialising. This is an increasingly popular and growing sport and the Isle of Wight is no exception, with 2 very active clubs which we are very pleased to support.”
Carlos de Sousa, Hon Sec of the Eastney Cruising Association Gig Section, has said:
“What an enjoyable weekend the ECA gig section had at this year’s Bembridge Gig Fest! The surroundings were lovely, the hospitality was great and the organisation perfect. We enjoyed some great racing on both the Saturday and Sunday, and I’m pleased to say we came away with a few prizes! We look forward to returning next year.”
