A TEAM of junior Dartmouth gig rowers “punched above their weight” to make it through to the final of the recent inaugural JAM (Juniors and Masters) regatta in North Devon.
Dart Gig Club’s U16 mixed crew – consisting of Ellis Blair, Neve Blair, Thomas Bland, Izzy Siska, Robin Topson and Kit Westcott – rowed “superbly well” in the Appledore-based event to clinch second place in their cup final, said cox Peta Chivers.
Peta added: “They were seriously punching above their weight in this U16 category. Dart Gig Club is very proud of them.”
Three of Dart’s Ladies Masters crew – Angie Cairns Sharp, Peta Chivers and Ali McGrigor – also put up a good fight to make it through to the final of their category, coxed by Dartmouth’s Trevor Pretty.
This was especially notable as they had joined forces with three Ladies Masters from Salcombe Gig Club – Vanessa Barton, Emma Gray and Nikki Wadey – to form a crew, and had only practised together once.
Angie said: “We were pleased to have the opportunity to row with our neighbours – and usually friendly rivals – to support this inaugural event.
“We were delighted, having only had once practice together, to have made it into the main cup final.
“It was a great competitive race and we were relatively pleased with our position of 6th out of eight crews, being that it was only our third time in the boat together.”
Angie added that “The regatta was well organised” with Appledore Gig Club hailing the event a success and thanking all of the crews for taking part.