Bermuda Pilot Gig Club Racing On November 7th
The Bermuda Pilot Gig Club [BPGC] will be hosting a race/regatta at the East End Mini Yacht Club on Saturday, November 7th starting at 1.30pm.
There will be a celebrity race with local dignitaries, a super vets race and a mixed racing team. The event will also include music, afternoon tea/refreshments, and the prize giving will be held at the Sea Cadets Building.
Slideshow of the BPGC event held in September of this year:
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Pilot gigs began in Bermuda in the 1600′s and continued through 1930, and years ago pilot gigs would compete for the opportunity to pilot ships approaching the island, as the first boat to reach the ship would get the job.
Today, pilot gigs are used primarily for sport and recreation, with around 100 clubs across the globe. The crew is generally made up of six rowers and one coxswain, who is in charge of the boat and responsible for navigating and steering.
The BPGC was formed in Bermuda earlier this year with three gigs in St. George’s operating out of the East End Mini Yacht Club. The BPGC currently has more than 70 active rowers, and plans to grow and expand its fleet to 6 gigs.
The Club offers a variety of squads to suit varying interests, Le. Co-ed Novice, Co-ed Social, Co-ed Super Vets, Ladies Racing and Men’s Racing.
Great job!
Having spent a lot of time in Bermuda I was pleased to see the Bermuda taking part in the Gig championships off the Isles of Scilly. Conditions totally different to Bermudan waters. We say its a bit ‘choppy’ they said it was very rough. Good Luck to all.