BRIDPORT Gig Club ladies and men’s A crews headed to Newquay for the end of season County Championships, the second largest regatta of the year out-scaled only by the World Championships held in the Scilly Isles in May.

With unprecedented flat seas, the ladies were only briefly hampered by a slightly rocky start before the crew blasted round the three-cornered course.

They left four boats trailing in their wake to finish second in the heat, with a time of 15.01mins.

First and second-placed boats in the heat automatically qualify for the next round so their second row was assured.

With the wind picking up and the tide on the turn, Bridport’s second race was a little slower and a lot lumpier.

Getting the start absolutely spot on this time, a wild and wet race of 18.33mins left the crew not through to day two, but in overall place of 39th out of 96 clubs. Bridport Men’s A team headed to Newquay a couple of weeks later for the men’s championships where their intense training and sheer determination paid off.

They faced a difficult first heat drawn against five very strong clubs.

After a poor start the experienced squad kept their heads and fought back from sixth to fourth place in their first round race in an impressive 14.33 minutes.

This secured a place in round two on Saturday afternoon and an opportunity to race against some of the region’s most successful teams.

In what turned out to be their race of the season, Bridport’s second heat started cleanly.

Experienced race coxing and a squad rowing their hearts out brought the squad alongside and then passed three other boats to secure a superb third position in the race and a very impressive 29th place out of 94 clubs overall.

The club is always on the lookout for new members.

If you are interested in joining the club, contact info@bridportgigclub.org General rowing and squad training continues through the winter in preparation for the new season in early spring.