Racing at Swanage14th August 2008.Lyme Regis Gig Club took their newly launched gig ‘Rebel’ over to Swanage on Thursday night for her first race meeting, against Old Harry and Peveril, the Swanage gigs, and Sir Tristan, from Weymouth. The Ladies Team, stretching a point by at least 10 years, raced first in the Ladies Vets Race (over 40’s), a straight race of one mile. After much hard rowing led by Ladies Captain Jackie O’Leary, they were pleased to hear that they had reached the halfway point. Coming in last by a respectable three boat lengths, with a time of 10 minutes and 5 seconds, there was then a speedy reshuffle to get the men out for the Mens Vets race, with Rowing Captain Henry Barlow nobly stepping out, as the only member of the team allegedly too young to compete. Rebel and her crew acquitted herself with honours once again, the Men’s Team completing their race slightly more red in the face than the ladies, last only by a couple of lengths. Then back to the Ladies Race (competing at our true ages!) and with the assistance of Brian , one of the Swanage Coxes, Rebel shaved 30 seconds off her previous time for the mile, coming in behind the winning time of 7 minutes and 50 seconds. The men then set forth for the Men’s Race, borrowing Helen, another helpful Swanage Cox. In fine style, in the gathering dusk, lighting assistance provided by the Swanage Lifeboat, they came in at 8 minutes and 3 seconds, behind the winners at 6 minutes 37 seconds. There was just enough time and light left for a short Mixed Race of half a mile, where Rebel came in only 20 seconds behind the winning time of 3 minutes and 20 seconds. A fine nights racing ended with cheers for each boat, and a feeling of slight achiness in the shoulder and stomach muscles for the rowers from Lyme, but much satisfaction as well. Rounding off the evening with sausage and chips (and a set of borrowed racing oars) courtesy of Swanage Sea Rowing Club, Rebel and her crew can't wait for the next meeting. Go Rebel! Click here for pictures. |