A GROUP of rowers from Portland thrived at the World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly.

Portland Gig Rowing Club, along with their boat Pulpit Rock, rowed through some of the most challenging and exhilarating sea conditions witnessed during the 26 years of the event.

The veterans’ races experienced strong winds which made for unpredictable water, with waves crashing on to the backs of the competitors while they rowed between St Agnes and St Mary’s.

One gig even went into the back of Pulipt Rock in the men’s race, removing her rudder. Cox Frank Cameron courageously hung over the stern and managed to put the rudder back in place while the crew continued to row.

The Portland ladies’ veterans, coxed by Abbie Walker, finished 26th, while the men were also 26th in their class.

Sea conditions remained challenging on the second day and the Portland ladies’ crew, coxed by Simon Walker, had the row of their lives when they secured a place in the B Group after coming 24th out of 143.

This is the highest position any crew has achieved in the history of Portland Gig Rowing Club.

Coxed by Darren Howard and Frank Cameron, Portland’s men led Group H in round two and that secured them a place in Group G for round three.

This was also the best ranking ever achieved by the men in the club’s history.

Despite both ladies’ and men’s crews dropping a group for the finals, their rankings are a great achievement and ones which consolidated their performances at last year’s championships.

The final was from Nut Rock to St Mary’s with gusts up to 40mph cutting across the boats.

Portland’s ladies kept the same crew members throughout the four races, and in the final, they placed 35th out of 143 gigs.

Despite strengthening winds for the men’s final the Portland crew gained a trophy for winning Group H as they crossed the finish line more than 20 boat lengths ahead of the field. They placed 85th out of 138 gigs overall.

If you would like to have a go at gig rowing, visit portlandgigrow ingclub.co.uk for more details.