LYME Regis Gig Club travelled to the Isles of Scilly to take part in the 24th World Pilot Gig Championships.

The event provides a focal point for all gig clubs, wherever they are situated, to test their mettle against each other and seek to improve on their performance each year.

The camaraderie is second to none and it is a great venue for socialising with like-minded athletes.

In 1989, there were 19 gigs competing in the championships but this year 130 took part in a start line over a mile wide.

Lyme Regis fielded four men’s and four ladies’ teams and after a gruelling winter of land-based training results exceed expectations.

Racing began with a 1.8-mile race for senior competitors who had reached the grand old age of 41.

Ladies’ and men’s teams from Lyme fought valiantly in testing seas against stiff competition from 48 other boats.

Both ladies’ teams managed to eclipse previous results by setting new club records, finishing 12th and 26th, while the men’s vets saw their A team finish 18th with the B team producing another club record in 38th.

The main event, open to rowers over 16 years of age, took place the following day with another 1.8-mile race over the same course.

The 130 boats then raced three more times over a shorter ‘sprint’ distance of 1.1-miles to establish final positions just 24 hours later.

Ladies A fought hard all weekend in group E to finish in a very credible 58th position from the 125 boats taking part, while the B team battled superbly to come 105th.

Elsewhere, the men’s A team raised the bar considerably for the club by finishing in group C, giving them an outstanding overall finish of 35th from 127 boats entered – their best achievement to date.

The men’s B team also rowed consistently well all weekend and they set another club record by finishing in 89th place.

The club’s next event takes place on May 25 at Nothe Fort, Wey-mouth. Spectators are welcome and will have a chance to talk to rowers about trying out sea rowing.