Featured Gig Club :: Pendeen Gig Club

This months featured gig club is Pendeen Gig Club. Thank you to Geoff for giving us the info.

Club Name:

Pendeen Pilot Gig Club

Clubhouse/Gig Shed location

The Old Blacksmiths’ shed at Geevor Tin Mine Site, Pendeen

Gigs Currently owned

Avarack and a GRP training gig, Portheras

Gig colours

Azure blue with yellow below and yellow rubbing strakes

Date(s) they were built and builder(s)

Avarack built by Andrew Nancarrow at Bissoe and launched in 2000. She is named after a local reef of rocks off the coast at Pendeen. Portheras built by Trevor Deakin and launched in 2007. She is named after a local cove.

Any other history about the boats (other clubs owned, etc.)?

Both boats owned from new.

Number of Club Members

Approaching 60, including social members. About two-thirds are rowing members.

Longest-standing Members

A number of founding members are still members – Pete and Georg Cass, Bill Lakin, Sheila Russell. Longest-standing member still rowing – Andy Basey.

When was the club started?

In 1999 after some Pendeen youngsters won a “fun” local gig event in 1998.

How has the club progressed since then?

Membership built steadily over the first few years but has increased at a faster pace in the last couple of years and continues to grow.  This strengthening of the club in recent years has seen us pull ourselves out of a very “lean” patch as far as race results are concerned and our commitment and determination is beginning to pull us up the race tables. We are also now in the position where we can field both A and B teams at most races. Our next aim has to be to acquire a new, second wooden gig.

Best ever results in the Worlds?

In 2009. Ladies were 70th out of 113. Men were 77th out of 118. This was a significant improvement for the Ladies as we only put a Ladies team in for the first time in 2006 (they came last!), and in 2007 and 2008 they won the bottom group both years running.

Any other (gig-rowing!) notable achievements?

Awarded the Chairperson’s cup by the CPGA two years ago.

Any annual events you organise?

Haven’t organised our own gig rowing event yet but hope to do so within the next couple of years as the club strengthens. However, a couple of years ago we took over organising and running the annual Pendeen Rally at the Geevor Tin Mine Site. This has given us a good, local presence in the community as well as a fund raising springboard.

Do you have a juniors section?

Just started to build a regular Junior team last year, although we have had some junior members for a number of years.

How do you select your racing crews?

Mostly by strength and quality of rowing ability. However, we like to give newcomers a taste of racing as soon as possible so sometimes we will “sacrifice” the strength of a crew in order to achieve this.

What month do you select your teams for Scilly?

January/February

Club website address

http://pendeengig.website.orange.co.uk/

Contact for newcomers

Geoff Hoather, The Old Chapel, Boscaswell Downs, Pendeen, Penzance TR19 7DR. Phone: 01736786006. E-mail: geoffgoatherd@aol.com

Anything else you think we should know about your club?

Nothing you could publish!