Welcome To

Bude Pilot Gig Club

We are a friendly and welcoming club that gives people of all abilities the chance to experience Gig rowing and attend social events. We have a range of members; some row for pleasure, some train to improve fitness and others train and race competitively. 

All members are welcome to take part in races, once they have shown themselves to be competent in training. Our members also enjoy land-based activities and assist in the running of the club. This is vital to keep our club running as the small charity that we are.

We are the most northernly based Gig Rowing Club in Cornwall and have been rowing in the Cornish seas since 2002. We are based at Upper Tamar Lake, which is just outside of Bude. This allows us to row all year round in a safe and scenic environment, even when conditions do not allow rowing at sea. The lake is used for many activities including sailing, cycling, fishing and walking among others. Dogs are welcome and there is a park for young children. We row at sea as often as possible, mainly out of Bude and during the Spring and Summer months we attend regattas around the South West of England. We always welcome new rowers of all abilities, please message us using the contacts page on our website or find our Facebook page on the link provided. 

Bedehaven

Is the club's wooden gig and was built by Ralph Bird in 2003, she is used for regattas and Championships. We enter The London River Race, The Newquay Cornwall County Championships and The World Championships that are held annually. 

Breakwater

Was our first fibreglass 6 man gig. Bought and launched in 2011. 

Barrel Rock

Is our newest fibreglass 6 man gig. Bought and launched in April 2016. 

The fibreglass gigs are used for training, this is due to the fact that they require less maintenance than the wooden gigs and having 2 means that more people can train at the same time. 

Every week the club trains at Upper Tamar Lakes, we have training on different days throughout the week so that everyone can find a day that suits them. 

If you want to come along and try rowing for your first time, then join one of our general rowing sessions. Everyone is welcome and you don't need to be a member to try out the sport. (You will need to print out and complete the Personal Health form and bring it with you. 

Currently our training times are as follows, these do change or are cancelled due to weather and time of year. So please check our Facebook page or message us to make sure the training session is going ahead. 

Race Crew Training 

We are on our summer timetable now 

Ladies and Men train at 5:30pm until 6:30pm and 6:30pm until 7:30pm, alternating early and late starts between the two teams 

General rowing, everybody welcome

Wednesday morning 10am until 11.30am possibly longer if the weather is nice!

Junior members ages 10-17 years old

Saturday morning 10am until 11.30am. If this is your first time please ask for Donna Griffiths

Directions

If using a sat nav, please use the postcode EX239SB.

When you arrive at the upper car park, make sure to pay and display. Walk towards the big wooden hut and along the path around the lake until you reach the poly tunnel with our logo on it. 

We are an inclusive club of individuals from all types of backgrounds and walks of life brought together by a love of Cornish Gig Rowing. We are very friendly and welcoming of new members and would love to show you how great our sport is. Be it lake rowing for your own fitness or because you want to race in regattas, you are more than welcome to join us.

Be warned though, Gig rowing will seriously improve your health and social life!

If you are new to the club your first 5 rows are £1 each. Please print off and fill in the health form on the link below and bring it with you the first time you come along. If you then decide to join you have the following membership options...

Full Membership £75                                                                                                                                                      Student Membership £20                                                                                                                                                Junior Membership £10                                                                                                                                                    Family Membership (2 adults and 2 children) £150

Membership fees are due 1st January each year. (or upon joining)

Training costs £1 per session and £1 for every broken pin!

Your membership pays for insurance, lake licence and CPGA (Cornish Pilot Gig Association) membership. The £1 'bums on seats' money goes towards maintenance of the boats and equipment and general running costs. If you attend regattas we ask all rowers to contribute to cover milage costs for towing the gig to the regattas.

Our club kit is encouraged (after all we want to look our best in front of other clubs) but not mandatory when attending regattas. It is on sale here, we recommend at least 1 t-shirt and a hoodie as it can get pretty cold out at sea sometimes.