Newquay County Gig Championships

The idea for the Newquay County Gig Championships came about in 1969, the idea being proposed by Eddie Arthur, one of Newquay's coxswains. The first championships took place in 1970, with the old gigs, Newquay, Dove and Treffry being used. During these early years the championships lasted for a day, with only men competing.

During the mid seventies, cove rowing became popular. It was centred around the Lizard peninsula, places like Cadgwith, Mullion, Coverack, Porthallow, Durgen and other villages in the area. This nucleus of competitive rowers led to Durgen on the Helford River winning the championships in 1973.

Over it's twenty-nine year history there have only been two cancellation's, 1975 and 1983, both due to bad weather. It is the unpredictable nature of the weather and sea on the North Cornwall coast that make the championships such a challenging event, both to row in and to organize!

In 1986 a combined C. R. A. crew consisting of members from several different clubs won the championships, after this it was decided to ban composite crews.

The Ladies Championship began in 1980 and is now in its 19th year, being as keenly contested as the men's event. In 1988 NRC created the Junior Championships following the rapid growth in the sport.

Up until 1985 only Newquay gigs were used in the championships, but with the increasing number of clubs entering the event, outside gigs were brought in. Now gigs taking part in the championships are chosen from around the county, kindly loaned by their respective clubs.

A Few Rules!

• The Championships are open to bonafide Rowing Clubs only.
  
• There shall be no composite crews of clubs combining to make up crews.
  
• Rowers must be members of a club and to have rowed for that club all season.
  
• No rowers may row for more than one crew or club.
  
• Any gig obstructing the overtaking by another gig by zigzagging or using any other means of unruly behaviour, will be disqualified.   
  
• Racing must start on time to ensure the smooth running of the competition. Late arrivals may be disappointed.
  
• Any junior member who is sixteen on the 1st January will be eligible to row that season in the junior crew. As well as any junior member whose birthday falls on the 1st January itself.
  
• No "electronic aids" to be used!
  
• No coaching from support boats (i.e. radio transmitters).
  
• All Coxwains must be 18 years or older.
  
• Any overtaking gig must  have clear water (bow to stern) before cutting across the racing line.
  
• On approaching a mark, when the bow of an inside gig gets ahead of the Coxwains position of another gig, (an overlap), the inside gig has right of way. The outside gig must give the inside boat enough water to turn the mark without being impeded. Umpires must decide who has the right of way six lengths from the mark and inform each crew via loud hailer.
  
• No "holding water" on the mark (impeding gigs behind).