Hosts in the Lymelight as teams from

Lyme Regis Gig Club held off stiff competition from teams across the South to win the Men’s race as the club hosted their Masters Regatta at Monmouth Beach. Three Lyme Regis teams, and a crew from Bridport, competed against 15 other boats in six events in what was described by some entrants as a ‘festival of rowing’.

Clubs from as far as Falmouth and Helford in Cornwall, and Lewes in Sussex, made the journey to Lyme to enjoy a day of highly competitive ocean rowing in fantastic racing conditions.

Races took place in a traditional 1.6km diamond-shaped course, stretching along the beach to afford spectators a great view of the action. The crews all faced a tough final leg back into the wind to the finish line. The boats, Cornish pilot gigs, were originally used for transporting harbour pilots out to ships. Each boat is 32 feet long and made from oak and elm, with Lyme’s current fleet being made by renowned local boat-builder Gail McGarva.

The hosts led the men’s final from the start, with Helford and Falmouth in close attendance. Lyme maintained a narrow lead to the first turn and powered ahead of the Cornish crews, with Helford securing second. Bridport’s men in Blaze rowed hard throughout the final, finishing seventh ahead of the team from Flushing and Mylor.

The women’s final saw Falmouth, Rame and Lyme competing for the top slot. The Falmouth crew stretched out comfortably in the home straight, with Rame finishing second. However due to the Falmouth crew being made of rowers from more than one club, the result was awarded to Rame, with Lyme moving up to second place.

In the Women’s Plate Final, Lyme were leading almost all the way to the finish in the last leg of the race, only to be chased down and pipped at the post by a strong Bristol team. Bridport women rowed a solid race finishing fourth, behind the women from Flushing and Mylor.

The Mixed A race saw 15 boats on the start line. Lyme Regis were beaten to the first turn by Falmouth, ahead of a strong pack and were made to work all the way round the course. Lyme chased hard but Falmouth kept ahead. There was to be another victory for Lyme in the final race of the day, with Lyme B winning the B team race.

Heather Prior, organiser of the regatta for Lyme said: “This is our second Masters regatta. We are so