WivGigs Rowing Club

Whilst Varuna was racing in home waters on Regatta Day, our gig Audacity was braving the Thames again in her third outing around Canvey Island. The race is part of the Nelson Cup series of summer races. If the weather allows, the race is a complete circuit from Benfleet Yacht Club, east along Hadleigh Ray out into the choppy water of the Thames.

Racers, in all sorts of rowing craft, then work their way along the front of the island before ducking under an oil pipeline into Holehaven. From there boats pass under East Haven Barrier, around the back of the island and under Benfleet Barrier to then sprint to the finish with whatever they have left to give.

At 14 miles it is one of the longer races we do. This year we were the fourth boat to launch from the friendly company of the Yacht Club straight into rowing against the tide, dodging mudbanks, into the wide-open Thames with no shelter from a persistent westerly wind that made keeping timing a challenge. Once in Holehaven, the wind almost stopped our progress until we crept under East Haven Barrier into the quiet, ever narrowing channel of the East Haven creek with barely enough water to get home.

We did it in 2 hours 55 minutes this year, a whole minute faster than last year, with a five-person crew. It was a real test of skill, persistence, fitness and team work for a crew and cox but, despite the fatigue etched clearly on their faces, the crew put in an amazing effort at the end with an impressive speed over the last couple of miles.

The determined crew included Adam Mason starting as cox, Kirsty Lee on stroke, Guy Cooper, with the three of us rotated to take turns coxing whilst, Lydia Paley and Matt Smith rowed the entire race with no break. Both performed impressively especially Lydia in her first time around the island tackling the uncertainties of wind and waves like a pro as we came third in our class just thirty seconds behind second place.

Regatta day arrived with its usual bustle of excitement and anticipation! This year WivGigs had three events to plan for. One crew took Audacity to Benfleet Yacht Club to take part in the round Canvey race. Meanwhile back at Wivenhoe Regatta Varuna entered for the Jon Stuart Memorial Gig race, and we had the stall to set up and run.

Varuna’s crew did us proud in the race to buoy 22 and back to Wivenhoe Quay. Racing our traditional pilot gigs in the regatta keeps the interest in the history of rowing on the Colne estuary alive today.

On the stall we had two events for children, one was guessing the name of the elephant, and winged pony to take them home, the second was an exemplified map of treasure Island to guess where the treasure was hidden. For the adults we had a raffle for several splendid hampers filled with goodies.

The stall was a great success and we also gained lots of interest from potential rowers who signed up to come and try rowing with WivGigs. With the fine weather and the cheerful crowd that makes it such a pleasant event we can now stand back knowing we were part of another successful Wivenhoe Regatta Day!

We are delighted to have received a Magic Little Grant through the partnership between Localgiving and Postcode Places Trust.

Postcode Places Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery. Localgiving is the UK’s leading membership and support network for local charities and community groups. We received funding to help enable participation in physical activity.

Thank you! 👐

Magic Little Grants

Localgiving

Postcode Places Trust

People’s Postcode Lottery

WivGigs members were very happy to share a recent social row along the Colne with Owen from the wonderful Essex by the Sea podcast. Owen celebrates the many delights of the Essex coastline in his brilliant podcast. A trip out with WivGigs was the perfect match!

Joint Club Captain Lorraine explained to Owen the history of WivGigs as we enter our tenth anniversary. There’s also talk about how proud we are to be an inclusive club. WivGigs welcomes anyone from our community to enjoy the benefits of gig rowing.

Owen got to hear from the crew how regular rowing can help with both your physical and mental health. One of our club members was wise enough to mention:

“If you’ve had a stressful day then heading out for a row helps you to relax. The world is a better place.”

Club member Nel was coxing for the session. She helped Owen with his stroke improvements as he had a short session rowing in Audacity. Nel has the ideal temperament to make the technical side of rowing appear easy.

We’d like to thank Owen and the Essex by the Sea podcast team for taking an interest in WivGigs. Our crew for the day really enjoyed the company.

You’re never too old to give gig rowing a try. WivGigs offers free Come and Try sessions. Please contact us over here if you’d like to join us on a social row along our beautiful river.

Carry on Stroking!

June 2021

WivGigs Rowing Club came out of Lockdown 3 with a growing membership, all keen to get back out on our beautiful river and beyond. Sadly Covid has seen off the Harker’s Yard race series for another season. Instead we have the Hythe and beyond on our radar. We might even make it to Brightlingsea.

Lockdown 3 wasn’t a great deal of fun. Lockdowns 1 and 2 were little better. But we’re a positive bunch. Forward ever, backwards never.

There is no hidden secret to gig rowing. I hate to spoil the magic: you dip your oar in the water, and then you do it again – preferably at the same time as the stroke rower, and certainly in time with the instructions from the cox.

It really is that simple. In, out, IN, OUT. Watch the stroke and keep an eye on the cox. Try not to snigger, listen to the local gossip being shared in the boat instead.

This is something of a Golden Age for WivGigs. We’ve come out of lockdown eager to get back out on the water as often as possible. Our members are keen to renew friendships and welcome new rowers. Double dipping has even featured with two crews swapping over during the popular weekend rows. We’re a friendly bunch and can always accommodate all club members when minor inconveniences such as work get in the way.

Live to row, row to live.

This has been the mantra for some of the sunrise and sunset launches since Lockdown 3. A 6am alarm call sometimes leaves you cursing. An hour later and the sight of the estuary sun rising leaves a great big grin on your face.

Who’s on stroke?

This is the lead rower who dictates the pace and strength of each stroke. That’s why they’re called… the stroke. Is this the correct place to confess that I sometimes nominate a not so strenuous stroke rower if I’m struggling with the 7am start?

Next up is the launch. It’s great to share the hard with our friends at the Sailing Club. Plans were put in motion during lockdown that allowed WivGigs members to sign up to the Sailing Club. We maintain our spirit of independence, but are keen to work alongside Sailing Club members.

Launching and retrieving Audacity is the tricky part. It’s a bit like taking off and landing an aircraft. If anything is going to go wrong, then this is the time. Except we’re a lot more eco friendly and we have far better in-flight snacks. Never under estimate the healing power of necking half a dozen Percy Pigs halfway down the Colne.

And then we’re off! Next question: upstream or downstream? Tide and time often dictates this decision. Plus also whether we fancy a pose as we pass The Rose and Crown, or The Anchor at Rowhedge. Chests out, best smiles, and even a Royal wave past one pub, slack off for a little, and then do it all again when we reach Rowhedge.

Downstream is a different matter. We’re out into the big open estuary and all the wonders and opportunities it offers. This sometimes involves seals; it can also mean jet skis. Everyone has the right to explore our beautiful river. Let’s all do it at a sensible pace, eh fellas?

It’s often said that WivGigs Rowing Club is also a Camera Club and a part-time seal spotting organisation. Combine all three and you’ve hit the Holy Grail of Gig Rowing. Our crew even boasts a fully trained seal charmer who is able to seek out the little fella almost on demand.

Each row lasts an hour and a half – or whenever the Percy Pigs supply runs out. One of the lucky crew members gets to live out their wader fantasy as they RUBBER UP and put on the fetching green footwear.

Now it’s time for the retrieval. The trick is not to let Audacity get too friendly with the Sailing Club hard. Keep her floating, fetch the trolley, then giver her a good rub down. Everyone is happy.

We’d be even happier if you came along and gave gig rowing a go. We offer free Come and Try sessions for all in the community.

Lockdowns have taught us all many things. For WivGigs it’s how much we love our beautiful river, and the sense of friendship that rowing up and down the Colne can bring. There’s always room for more.

To the Hythe! And beyond…