WEYMOUTH Gig Rowing Club's season began with the five-mile Three Rivers race at Saltash.

Members took on a unique and challenging figure of eight course with both bow side and stroke side turns.

Weymouth sent four crews with this being the first racing experience for two members.

Two Weymouth gigs were taken, Penny and Tristan and a wet gloomy start gave way to sunny and relatively calm conditions.

There were more than 70 gigs and with staggered starts boats were timed.

Ladies in Tristan took 24th place with a time of 59m 18secs and the in the men’s race, Weymouth's men finished 49th with a time of 59m 57secs.

In Penny, the men’s and ladies' crews took 69th and 46th places respectively.

Overall place for Tristan was 33rd and Penny 57th.

Weymouth are hoping to attend the Bristol sprints at the end of March and the Weymouth super vets go to Appledore to race in early April.

Then all eyes will be on the World Championships in the Isles of Scilly in early May and the Jurassic League will then follow.