The Cornish Pilot Gig Association (or CPGA) is a body which governs the sport of Cornish pilot gig racing. As of March 2023 it is made up of 88 clubs and over 8,000 active gig rowers. This does not include gigs used in the Isles of Scilly .
21-488: The first 'gigs' were built in the late 18th century and were used to carry the 'pilot' out to ships waiting off the Cornish coasts. The pilot would then navigate the ship through the potentially hazardous rocks into the harbour. Pilots needed to row out to the ships quickly - it was a competitive career as the first man to reach the waiting ship would receive the pilot's fee. Gig racing evolved both from this competition and from
42-638: A club to form and begin training and fundraising for a competitive boat. As of 2023 in the United States, pilot gig racing is becoming more popular, especially on the New England coastline where whaling was a major industry. These boats, however, are less regulated than their British counterparts. While modern rowing technology is considered inappropriate, there are no strict rules as to what can and cannot be raced. Boats are classed by number of rowers and their approximate age. The rules are also different during
63-469: Is a body which governs the sport of Cornish pilot gig racing. As of March 2023 it is made up of 88 clubs and over 8,000 active gig rowers. This does not include gigs used in the Isles of Scilly . The first 'gigs' were built in the late 18th century and were used to carry the 'pilot' out to ships waiting off the Cornish coasts. The pilot would then navigate the ship through the potentially hazardous rocks into
84-434: Is considered to be the oldest rowing boat in the world. Between 1985 and 1986 four new gig clubs were formed ( Truro , Cadgwith , Roseland and Mount's Bay ). This was in addition to Newquay Rowing Club (formed in 1922) and the small number of rowing clubs that existed around the coast. During 1986 George Northey (Newquay Rowing Club), John Bawden and Ralph Bird all felt that a specification should be laid down as to how
105-584: Is governed by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association , which monitors all racing gigs during the construction phase. The Association's Standards Officer is responsible for measuring every gig at least three times during construction, to ensure that it conforms to the Standard set by the Association. Gigs are crewed by six rowers, and helmed by a coxswain . Modern gig racing dates from 1986, the founding of
126-649: Is held at the Isle of Scilly , due to its prevalence there, as well as the historical impact the Isle of Scilly have on the sport. Other, more specific championships are held throughout the year at different clubs across the West Country, normally coinciding with "regattas" held by the clubs, which run mainly on an invitational basis. 88 pilot gig clubs are members of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association . Cornish Pilot Gig Association The Cornish Pilot Gig Association (or CPGA)
147-420: Is used as the standard measurement for the construction of all new boats. Newquay Rowing Club also owns two other historic gigs: 'Dove' built in 1820 and 'Newquay' built in 1812 - which is considered to be the oldest rowing boat in the world. Between 1985 and 1986 four new gig clubs were formed ( Truro , Cadgwith , Roseland and Mount's Bay ). This was in addition to Newquay Rowing Club (formed in 1922) and
168-736: The Faroe Islands , Australia, Bermuda , and the United States. All modern racing gigs are based on the Treffry , built in 1838 by William Peters of St Mawes , and still owned and raced by the Newquay Rowing Club. She was built for the Treffry Company, new owners of Newquay Harbour . However non-racing gigs have been built which do not conform to the exact specification of the Treffry and are disallowed from racing in competitive races. The sport
189-625: The West Country , however clubs exist in Suffolk, Sussex, Somerset, Devon , Dorset , Wales and London . Internationally, there are pilot gig clubs in France, the Netherlands , the Faroe Islands , Australia, Bermuda , and the United States. Many pilot gig clubs compete with each other through a series of events through the summer in the West Country, most notably at World Pilot Gig Championships . This
210-557: The gigs 'Treffry' (1838), which is still actively rowed by the Newquay Rowing Club. It was decided that there would only be one officer which would be elected as the chairperson and he would carry out the measuring of the gig during the construction phase to make sure the gig complied with the new specifications. The committee met again in the January 1987 at the Royal Hotel in Truro and accepted
231-470: The CPGA, and the codification of class rules for the construction of new gigs. In 2018 the 200th gig was registered on the CPGA register, built by W.C. Hunkin and Sons of Fowey . A new gig, complete with trailer and all equipment, costs over £32,000. From 2017, the CPGA has encouraged a 'Club In A Box' scheme. This includes a fibreglass gig, which is much cheaper than a traditionally-built wooden gig and allows
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#1732858411091252-550: The Isles of Scilly each year at the beginning of May. Today, pilot gigs are used primarily for sport, with around 100 clubs across the globe. The main concentration is within Cornwall , Devon and the Isles of Scilly , however clubs exist in Suffolk , Sussex , Somerset , Hampshire , Dorset , Wales and London . Internationally, there are pilot gig clubs in France, the Netherlands ,
273-667: The globe. Since 1990, the World Pilot Gig Championships have been held annually on the Isles of Scilly. Held over the Early May bank holiday weekend, they are attended by over 2000 rowers and spectators. It is widely believed to be the busiest weekend on the islands, with an approximate doubling of population. Pilot gig clubs are mostly located by the sea although there some that have been established at riverside locations. Pilot gig clubs might also have other types of rowing and sailing vessels. The majority of clubs are in
294-475: The harbour. Pilots needed to row out to the ships quickly - it was a competitive career as the first man to reach the waiting ship would receive the pilot's fee. Gig racing evolved both from this competition and from the testing of newly built gigs against others to measure their performance. Competitive gig racing was popular in Cornwall during the mid-19th century, but by the end of the century began to decline as
315-485: The industrial revolution gathered speed and engines increasingly replaced sails and oars. Many gigs were subsequently broken up or left to rot, but Newquay in Cornwall managed to retain a few and formed Newquay Rowing Club in 1921. One of their boats, 'Treffry' built in 1838 still races and is used as the standard measurement for the construction of all new boats. Newquay Rowing Club also owns two other historic gigs: 'Dove' built in 1820 and 'Newquay' built in 1812 - which
336-477: The late 17th century. The original purpose of the Cornish pilot gig was as a general work boat, and the craft is used as a pilot boat , taking pilots out to incoming vessels off the Atlantic Coast. At the time pilots would compete between each other for work; the fastest gig crew who got their pilot on board a vessel first would get the job, and hence the payment. There is a World Pilot Gig championship held in
357-480: The new gigs should be built. A meeting was called for 5 December 1986, with total of 14 gentlemen attending. It was decided that the new gigs would be built to the specification laid down by the Peters family, which built the gigs 'Treffry' (1838), which is still actively rowed by the Newquay Rowing Club. It was decided that there would only be one officer which would be elected as the chairperson and he would carry out
378-574: The plans that had been drawn up by Ralph Bird. In the meeting it was decided that the association would be called the Cornish Pilot Gig Association. Cornish pilot gig The Cornish pilot gig is a six-oar rowing boat , clinker-built of Cornish narrow-leaf elm , 32 feet (9.8 m) long with a beam of 4 feet 10 inches (1.47 m). It is recognised as one of the first shore-based lifeboats that went to vessels in distress, with recorded rescues going as far back as
399-421: The race; generally "fisherman's rules" apply—meaning that there are no rules. Recently (2024), there has been a demand for more readily available information about gig rowing, leading to the creation of the 'GigRower' website. This website, along with their social media pages, work with the CPGA to provide gig rowing news, information, and live streams of championships to the increasing number of gig rowers around
420-429: The small number of rowing clubs that existed around the coast. During 1986 George Northey (Newquay Rowing Club), John Bawden and Ralph Bird all felt that a specification should be laid down as to how the new gigs should be built. A meeting was called for 5 December 1986, with total of 14 gentlemen attending. It was decided that the new gigs would be built to the specification laid down by the Peters family, which built
441-501: The testing of newly built gigs against others to measure their performance. Competitive gig racing was popular in Cornwall during the mid-19th century, but by the end of the century began to decline as the industrial revolution gathered speed and engines increasingly replaced sails and oars. Many gigs were subsequently broken up or left to rot, but Newquay in Cornwall managed to retain a few and formed Newquay Rowing Club in 1921. One of their boats, 'Treffry' built in 1838 still races and
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