Modern school

when you joined

why you joined

and explain the benefits of belonging to your club.

I belong to Barnstaple Pilot Gig Club. It’s a rowing club but we row a very special type of boat called a pilot gig. They’re traditional wooden boats, about 30 foot long and with six rowers and a cox. In the old days, these gigs would have been used to take a pilot out to sailing ships coming into port and they were also used as lifeboats. Now gig rowing has become a competitive sport which is gradually growing in popularity.

I joined the club when it started back in 2010. I’d wanted to row pilot gigs from the age of 12 when my family started taking holidays in the Isles of Scilly where gig races between the islanders took place every Friday evening in the summer. I loved going out on the passenger boats to watch and cheer on the crews. As soon as I heard about a gig club starting in my own town I jumped at the chance to join.

Back when I was young, I never imagined that one day I’d be racing in the Pilot Gig World Championships in the Isles of Scilly but I’ve done so with my club several times now. It’s an amazing experience with over 140 boats taking part. …a bit different to all those years ago when I used to watch just seven or eight boats racing while on my holidays.

Although we mostly row on the river, we also train on the sea to prepare us for rowing in competitions. We compete in regattas all year round but the main season is from March to September.

Rowing is very strenuous exercise and you need a high level of aerobic fitness as

well as strength. We train hard both on the water and in the gym and I really

enjoy working out and training with the other club members. We’re all close friends

and often enjoy social activities together. I’d go as far as to say that the club is my
social life as well as my sport.
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I guess that sums up the main benefits of belonging to my club. It contributes so much to both my physical and mental well-being that I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life.


Part 3