10 gigs racing up the Colne on Saturday June 26
Charity event to reignite passion and support for gig rowing on Essex Coast
The increasingly famous Harker’s Yard gigs will be racing on Saturday 26th June on the Colne in Essex. Around ten teams are expected to start from a line off Bateman’s Tower on the SW side of Brightlingsea and race up river towards Wivenhoe and back. The race begins at 2.30pm and will last an hour or so.
It is being hosted by the Brightlingsea-based charity Pioneer Sailing Trust, which also runs an apprenticeship programme which builds these gigs, and which are part of the growing sport of coastal rowing being adopted by several sailing clubs.
Before the pandemic the Harker’s Yard gig racing scene brought communities together up and down the East Coast of England in the spirit of fiercely fought water- based competition. There are eleven clubs in communities spanning towns and villages from Burnham on Crouch all the way up to Manningtree. All of these clubs have been impacted by COVID-19, with restrictions on team sports preventing many regular gig rowers from getting out on the water for the last 15 months. The impact has also been felt by Pioneer’s team of apprentices, who learn their craft by building rowing gigs which are sold commercially to rowing clubs throughout the East of England. With reduced participation in gig rowing, demand for the gigs themselves has dwindled, prompting a knock-on effect on learning opportunities for the 6 young people currently undertaking their boatbuilding apprenticeship.
The charity event on 26th June, is described by the Trust as symbolically important, as it marks the return to some semblance of normality after such a long absence from group competition. The race is open to rowers of all abilities who want to participate, or members of local clubs or general enthusiasts. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, unfortunately spectators are not able to attend. For anyone that would still like to follow the event, there will be a photographer and videographer along to record the race, with footage shared afterwards, and there will also be the opportunity to tune into the action via an innovative GPS tracking system accessed via smartphone.
Felicity Lees, Operations Director at Pioneer Sailing Trust said: “Gig rowing is regarded as one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, and there are lots of reasons why. It really is open to people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds and you don’t have to be an elite rower to give it a go. It is low impact compared to other types of rowing so it’s great for those who have injuries or health conditions. For those who spend their summers participating in other water sports, gig racing provides an outlet and opportunity to get out on the water during the winter months. It is also really accessible price wise – most local clubs here on the Essex coast charge less than £50 a year for membership.”
“The impact on mental health is also really important. Many of us will have felt a need to get outdoors and connect with nature during lockdown, and there is something truly exhilarating about doing that on the water. It is such a shame that gig rowing enthusiasts haven’t been able to do what they love, or that more people haven’t been able to discover the sport due to restrictions. We hope this event highlights just how fun gig rowing is, encourages people to try it out and helps raise the profile of the support to help our local clubs drive up membership.”
Frazer Howe is an apprentice at Pioneer Sailing Trust, and has seen first- hand the impact of reduced participation in gig rowing. He said “I started here in 2017 and quickly developed some brilliant skills. Building rowing gigs is seen as a really great way to hone your craft, but unfortunately no one has been buying them, so myself and the other apprentices haven’t had as much opportunity for hands on learning. This has been tough, as we all love working in the yard and building things we can be proud of. We really hope that this event helps to get people excited about gig rowing again so that myself and the other apprentices can get building!”
For sailing and rowing enthusiasts, Cornwall is seen as synonymous with gig rowing, but it is becoming increasingly high profile along the Essex coastline, something which Felicity Lees also wants to raise awareness of via the event. “The Trust has an important role in the local community here in Brightlingsea, but we are always looking for ways to extend our reach and impact. If we can reach more people beyond Colchester, Clacton, Frinton, Walton and Manningtree in getting involved in gig racing or get them engaged with the work we do with schools and charities to teach children and vulnerable adults about sailing via residential trips and yachting experiences, then I would consider this event a resounding success.”
To view the livestream GPS tracking version of the race, download the TackTracker app, click on home pages at the bottom, type in “PioneerSailing” and then click on the race. It will be live from 14:00 on the 26th. The course will start in Brightlingsea (Essex), head up the Colne Estuary towards Wivenhoe and Rowhedge and then back to Brightlingsea finishing at the Pioneer Sailing Trust in Harker’s Yard.
About Pioneer Sailing Trust
The Pioneer Sailing Trust is a registered charity, established in 1999, initially focused on restoration of the 70ft Essex Smack Pioneer boat, which had previously been used for dredging Oysters in the North Sea. Restored in 2005, the Trust gave the Pioneer vessel a new lease of life as a sail training boat. Today, the Pioneer is an essential part of the Trust’s wider mission to facilitate learning opportunities with young people through maritime experiences.
The Trust also runs an apprenticeship programme, with young people honing their craft building rowing gigs which are supplied to clubs throughout the East of England and restoring historic vessels.
The Pioneer Sailing Trust has a maintained focus on giving every young person a fair start in life, no matter what their circumstances or background, and works closely with local schools, education settings, charities and support groups to make their learning and development experiences accessible to all.