St Mary’s Gig Club
St Mary’s Gig Club naturally formed as a result of historic, working gigs surviving on the islands. Three of our gigs, the Bonnet, Slippen and Golden Eagle, were built in the 19th century and served the islands, saving many lives from shipwrecks and transporting pilots and cargo. After being salvaged and restored by Newquay Rowing Club before the club existed, these gigs were exchanged for new gigs built on the islands in the 70’s. These actions revived the sport of gig racing and gig building and ultimately have led to the sport being where it is today. In the 1960’s, across the islands interest grew with old left over gigs being brought out, new gigs being commissioned by groups of friends and the old gigs coming back from the mainland.
A club may not have always been necessary but has formalised in the last four or five decades, with gig sheds at Porthmellon and the gigs being owned or held in trust but it is all thanks to the strong culture and tradition on the islands. We compete in weekly inter island races where competition is as important as friendship and socialising. We offer opportunities for juniors, novices and experienced rowers a like to learn, develop and compete at any level; whether a social row to an off island for a drink or competing for medals in May at the the World Pilot Gig Championships.
Island gigs are mainly unique in shape and character being built to do a specific job before there was standard specification. We have added to our racing spec fleet with the revival of local gig building once again in 2022.
St Mary's Gig Club 