EIGHT Portland Gig Rowing Club members took to the River Thames in their Cornish gig Pulpit Rock to take part in the Great London River Race.

The race from Millwall Docks to Ham in Surrey attracted crews from all over the world, including a number of serious athletes as well as some who were participating for the fun of it in a variety of vessels.

There was a massive turnout of 330 crews at this year’s event and the group from Portland, made up of four women and four men, took it in turns to row.

Portland’s rowers competed against more than 40 other Cornish gigs and a number of larger boats in their category.

To give all crews a chance, entrants were given a handicap according to the calculated potential performance of their type of boat.

The slowest boats started first and the faster boats last, with each being individually timed.

The Cornish gig boats, being classed as one of the fastest type of boat, started an hour after the first vessels had got their races underway.

Unfortunately for the dragon boat teams, conditions on the day prevented them from taking part.

However, with in excess of 300 boats participating, it was a very colourful spectacle on the river.

The course stretched for more than 21 miles took rowers past many of London’s famous landmarks and passed under some 28 bridges before reaching the finish line.

The Portland crew completed the course in two hours and 47 minutes, placing them a fantastic 87th overall.

It was an amazing achievement for the club and all team members should be pleased with their performance.

If you would like to find out more about gig rowing email portlandgigrowingclub@yahoo.co.uk or visit portlandgigrowingclub.co.uk.

The men's of team OCUK, crewing Hawaiian outrigger Kaimana, were the winners of this year's Great London River Race, finishing ahead of Aberdyfi's men's crew in their Celtic longboat.

The Hobits Hombres team, rowing in their boat Morgan, were the first Cornish pilot gig home.