LYME Regis Gig Club hosted a “festival of rowing” as a plethora of clubs took part in a gloriously sunny Jurassic League regatta.

In all, Langstone took overall league honours on the day with Bridport in second after five scoring legs this summer.

Before the final race anyone of five teams looked possible to win the overall event. Langstone had 58 points, Appledore 62, Bridport 68, Brixham 71 and Lyme 73 with the lowest score winning.

Lyme won the final race, the Mixed Masters, finishing on 74 points but the final positioning of other clubs would determine who won overall.

The regatta was won by Appledore, who had the greatest consistency through the day and finished with the lowest amount of points.

Fourteen teams – Lyme Regis, Bridport, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Swanage, Poole, Portland, Langstone, Weymouth, Brixham, Bristol, Appledore, Ilfracombe, Boscastle, Portishead. Rowers from Helford, Teignmouth and others – all graced the Lyme waters.

Marcus Dixon, commentator and club chairman, said: "I'd like to thank everyone who took part in planning, managing, hospitality, safety boats, laying course, race control, commentary, drone filming, merchandising, delicious beer and so much more – all working so hard to make it such a success. And on such a hot day!

“The Gig Club is very much part of the community down at The Cobb and the life of our remarkable town.”

In the U16 race, Lyme Regis had two teams for the first time. Bruce Kahn, manager for the Youth rowing at Lyme said: “We had eight different teams in the under-16 race which is the most I’ve seen at any regatta so far.

"I am really proud that Lyme managed to present two teams in this race with two of our youth, William Vernon and Lewis Morgan rowing in the full Open class races with the adults."

Heather Prior, organiser of the regatta for Lyme said: “This is our first full open regatta since 2018, the 2019 races were blown out and then Covid struck. We are so pleased that we could put on a good event and have been supported by clubs across the South West.

“It was an amazing day with so many different clubs able to win individual races, no one team has dominated to show how close and strong we are."

The day took on a real festival atmosphere as the tide dropped through the day, allowing plenty of changeovers to take place on the beach behind the harbour.

With the various stalls and the all-day barbecue keeping all the competitors, supporters and curious holiday makers refreshed and entertained.

The event was also supported by Otter Brewery who donated barrels of beer to Lyme Regis as they raise money for a new Cornish Pilot Gig.

Planning is already underway for 2023, with Saturday, August an early mooted date.

Results – Women’s Vets (over-40s): Weymouth; Men’s Vets: Lyme Regis; Under 16: Brixham; Women’s C: Swanage; Men’s C: Lyme Regis; Women’s B: Boscastle; Men’s B: Appledore; Women’s A: Bristol; Men’s A: Bristol; Women’s Super-Vets (over 50s): Bridport (Lyme a close 2nd); Men’s Super-Vets: Lyme Regis; Mixed Super-Vets: Lyme Regis; Masters (over 60s): Appledore; Mixed Masters: Lyme Regis.