History
History
Appledore Pilot Gig Club
History at our club
The pilot gig has a long history in both Appledore and the South West and refers to a 32' by 4'6" clinker-built rowing boat with six rowers and a cox. Originally gigs were used to take pilots out to sailing ships and competition for work dictated that the first pilot aboard the ship got the job. With function dictating form, gigs evolved into very fast seagoing rowing boats, used for piloting, lifesaving and, at times, smuggling.
Our club was initially founded in 2003 by a team of four people who all had a dream to bring pilot gigs back to Appledore. They worked hard to raise the vital funds to start building the clubs first gig and work started with an initial deposit of £3,500. Two years later and after much fundraising and knocking on doors, the final payment was made, the clubs first gig, Verbena, finally took to the water in 2005. The dream to see pilot gig racing return to the area of the “Two Rivers” was realised.
Setting up a gig club is not a task to be taken lightly and it took a lot of dedication; we are thankful to the initial team and all those that have supported us in our growth. Once lost, traditions are not easily resurrected and we continue to strive to keep the tradition alive.
Our club was initially founded in 2003 by a team of four people who all had a dream to bring pilot gigs back to Appledore. They worked hard to raise the vital funds to start building the clubs first gig and work started with an initial deposit of £3,500. Two years later and after much fundraising and knocking on doors, the final payment was made, the clubs first gig, Verbena, finally took to the water in 2005. The dream to see pilot gig racing return to the area of the “Two Rivers” was realised.
Setting up a gig club is not a task to be taken lightly and it took a lot of dedication; we are thankful to the initial team and all those that have supported us in our growth. Once lost, traditions are not easily resurrected and we continue to strive to keep the tradition alive.
About Gig Rowing
It was a natural progression to start racing such craft and in the late-19th and early-20th centuries such sport was as popular and hard fought as it is today. Sadly the introduction of reliable marine engines and accurate charts brought about the demise of the pilot gig as a working boat. If it had not been for the dedication and enthusiasm of a few individuals and clubs, both the pilot gig and the sport we know and love today might not have survived. Today we play our part in keeping the tradition alive for future generations to enjoy.
We are grateful for the article below by David Carter, the author of Illustrated History of Appledore, detailing the historical regattas of Appledore and Bideford and the racing of various sized gigs.
"I suppose the outstanding red letter day of the year was Regatta day held in early August. The Quay, furnished with stalls and decorations, was lined with crowds four or five deep to watch the races, and all barges, vessels and steamers moored off or alongside were similarly decorated and beflagged to make a really jolly and exciting scene. Very popular were the novel or comedy events, such as the Gig and Punt chase. One man in a small punt, usually with a shovel for propulsion, weaved in and out of the crowd of moored boats, pursued by a team in the gig, which was a large four-oared rowing boat. The gig crew, which also had a fifth member to steer by means of an oar over the stern, did their best to catch and capsize the single man, but as the punt was more manoeuvrable, he was often more than a match for the larger boat. The Miller and Sweep battle provided lots of laughs and entertainment as one boat with about four crew threw bags of soot at a boat similarly manned, but stacked with bags of flour as ammunition. Often nearby spectator boats accidentally received some of the barrage, and the end was usually resolved after all the missiles had been despatched, with all eight begrimed and besooted matelots in the water trying to remove some of the clinging and uncomfortable evidence of an energetic engagement. More serious, although still a novel form of entertainment, was the Elopement race. The males lined up to row their boats the length of the course to where their spouses were waiting to join them and help row the boat back down the course, striving to be first across the finishing line. An extension of this was the 50-50 race. Boats, each with a crew of five, would sail at least half a mile down to the Pool. When they reached a set mark, sail and mast would have to be stowed before commencing to row back four-oared to the winning post.
A main part of the Regatta programme was occupied by West of England Clubs competing in four-oared and two-oared outrigged gigs, which at Appledore we used to call wherries. Bideford had two rowing clubs which had been established for over fifty years - Bideford Amateur Rowing Club (the Reds) and Bideford Amateur Athletic Club (the Blues). Appledore lads were regular members of the crews, mainly the former club, so most shouts of encouragement from spectators were 'Come on the Red'. These local rowing clubs competed against others in Regattas throughout Devon and Cornwall, and the winners gaining most points at the end of the season would be awarded highly prized and coveted West of England Championship cups. At many regattas they would be joined by clubs from other parts of the country mainly Southampton, London and S.E. Areas."
© David Carter
We are grateful for the article below by David Carter, the author of Illustrated History of Appledore, detailing the historical regattas of Appledore and Bideford and the racing of various sized gigs.
"I suppose the outstanding red letter day of the year was Regatta day held in early August. The Quay, furnished with stalls and decorations, was lined with crowds four or five deep to watch the races, and all barges, vessels and steamers moored off or alongside were similarly decorated and beflagged to make a really jolly and exciting scene. Very popular were the novel or comedy events, such as the Gig and Punt chase. One man in a small punt, usually with a shovel for propulsion, weaved in and out of the crowd of moored boats, pursued by a team in the gig, which was a large four-oared rowing boat. The gig crew, which also had a fifth member to steer by means of an oar over the stern, did their best to catch and capsize the single man, but as the punt was more manoeuvrable, he was often more than a match for the larger boat. The Miller and Sweep battle provided lots of laughs and entertainment as one boat with about four crew threw bags of soot at a boat similarly manned, but stacked with bags of flour as ammunition. Often nearby spectator boats accidentally received some of the barrage, and the end was usually resolved after all the missiles had been despatched, with all eight begrimed and besooted matelots in the water trying to remove some of the clinging and uncomfortable evidence of an energetic engagement. More serious, although still a novel form of entertainment, was the Elopement race. The males lined up to row their boats the length of the course to where their spouses were waiting to join them and help row the boat back down the course, striving to be first across the finishing line. An extension of this was the 50-50 race. Boats, each with a crew of five, would sail at least half a mile down to the Pool. When they reached a set mark, sail and mast would have to be stowed before commencing to row back four-oared to the winning post.
A main part of the Regatta programme was occupied by West of England Clubs competing in four-oared and two-oared outrigged gigs, which at Appledore we used to call wherries. Bideford had two rowing clubs which had been established for over fifty years - Bideford Amateur Rowing Club (the Reds) and Bideford Amateur Athletic Club (the Blues). Appledore lads were regular members of the crews, mainly the former club, so most shouts of encouragement from spectators were 'Come on the Red'. These local rowing clubs competed against others in Regattas throughout Devon and Cornwall, and the winners gaining most points at the end of the season would be awarded highly prized and coveted West of England Championship cups. At many regattas they would be joined by clubs from other parts of the country mainly Southampton, London and S.E. Areas."
© David Carter
Pilot Gig Rowing Today
Modern-day gig rowing is a sport on the ascendance. Its popularity has grown over the last decade. There are now over 60 clubs as part of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association and this continues to grow.
Its continued popularity is probably down to its bare-roots approach, very little has changed since the original pilot gigs took to the water. Each gig must be built within strict accordance to an agreed standard so there is no advantage to be had by having a more modern boat – success is simply a case of crew against crew.
Most races take place on open water where you learn and train to cope with waves, tides and trying conditions.
Its continued popularity is probably down to its bare-roots approach, very little has changed since the original pilot gigs took to the water. Each gig must be built within strict accordance to an agreed standard so there is no advantage to be had by having a more modern boat – success is simply a case of crew against crew.
Most races take place on open water where you learn and train to cope with waves, tides and trying conditions.
Rowing Terms
Bow: The pointy bit at the front of the boat. Also the rower in the number 1 seat
Bow Side: The "Bow Side" is our term for the Port Side of the gig
Bung: As in "has anyone put the bung in?" when you first feel cold water swilling around your ankles
Catch: When the blade of your oar catches the water at the start of the stroke
Clash Oars: What happens when oars collide in a race and best avoided
Cox: The boss: he or she who will be obeyed at all times
Crab: You "Catch a Crab" when the blade digs too deep into the water, this can push you off your seat or break a pin.
Engine Room: The power positions in the gig at 3 & 4
Feathering: Turning the oars on the return stroke to reduce wind drag and helps you to stop catching a crab when in choppy water
Fender: The plastic cushion like thing that is hung off the bow to protect the gig from damage.
Full Oar: Pulling your weight in the gig and getting a bend in the blade
Gunwale: The strong top rail of the gig which is pronounced "Gunnel"
Knees: The L shaped timbers which secure the thwarts to the gig
Leathers: These protect your oar and prevent chafing in the pins. Where you row on the leathers alters your power through the water
Mark: The buoys which mark a regatta course where you are most likely to hear a call of "give water" swiftly followed by nautical equivalent of a car crash.
Numbers: "I am not a number" well you are in a gig. From 1 to 6 depending on where you sit
Pilot Seat: The seat at the very front of the gig also called the "seagull seat"
Pins: "Thole Pins" hold the oars on the gunwale. You pull against a hardwood pin and a softwood pin keeps the oar in place on the return stroke. Do not mix them up!!!!
Rudder: Steers the gig
Stern: The opposite of the pointy bit
Stretchers: What your feet push against
Stroke: The rower in 6 who sets the pace for the rest of the gig. The "Stroke Side" is our term for the Starboard side of the gig.
Thwart: The bit of the gig you sit on
Wax: Used to reduce friction on the leathers
Yoke: Attached to the rudder, gives the Cox the leverage needed to turn the rudder by pulling on the "Yoke Lines"
Bow Side: The "Bow Side" is our term for the Port Side of the gig
Bung: As in "has anyone put the bung in?" when you first feel cold water swilling around your ankles
Catch: When the blade of your oar catches the water at the start of the stroke
Clash Oars: What happens when oars collide in a race and best avoided
Cox: The boss: he or she who will be obeyed at all times
Crab: You "Catch a Crab" when the blade digs too deep into the water, this can push you off your seat or break a pin.
Engine Room: The power positions in the gig at 3 & 4
Feathering: Turning the oars on the return stroke to reduce wind drag and helps you to stop catching a crab when in choppy water
Fender: The plastic cushion like thing that is hung off the bow to protect the gig from damage.
Full Oar: Pulling your weight in the gig and getting a bend in the blade
Gunwale: The strong top rail of the gig which is pronounced "Gunnel"
Knees: The L shaped timbers which secure the thwarts to the gig
Leathers: These protect your oar and prevent chafing in the pins. Where you row on the leathers alters your power through the water
Mark: The buoys which mark a regatta course where you are most likely to hear a call of "give water" swiftly followed by nautical equivalent of a car crash.
Numbers: "I am not a number" well you are in a gig. From 1 to 6 depending on where you sit
Pilot Seat: The seat at the very front of the gig also called the "seagull seat"
Pins: "Thole Pins" hold the oars on the gunwale. You pull against a hardwood pin and a softwood pin keeps the oar in place on the return stroke. Do not mix them up!!!!
Rudder: Steers the gig
Stern: The opposite of the pointy bit
Stretchers: What your feet push against
Stroke: The rower in 6 who sets the pace for the rest of the gig. The "Stroke Side" is our term for the Starboard side of the gig.
Thwart: The bit of the gig you sit on
Wax: Used to reduce friction on the leathers
Yoke: Attached to the rudder, gives the Cox the leverage needed to turn the rudder by pulling on the "Yoke Lines"
