Caradon launches new pilot gigs

Caradon Pilot Gig Club’s fleet received a significant boost on Thursday 28th June, with the official launch and naming of the new boats ‘Amazon’ and ‘Galley Slave’.

A grant from SITA Cornwall Trust allowed the club to add the gig Amazon to its now five-strong fleet, and the club intends to use the gig to get more people out onto the water and develop its younger rowers.

Caradon’s strong link to Saltash School has seen the club’s junior section to grow considerably in recent years, placing a greater strain on its fleet.

Built by Dave Currah, the Amazon will enable the club’s young rowers to continue rowing into adulthood – providing more opportunities to get out onto the water.

The grant from SITA, along with support from Sport Englands ‘Small Grants’ scheme, has also allowed the club to purchase six indoor rowing machines. These will be based at Saltash School, and are a considerable improvement on the club’s previous set-up; a single pair of borrowed machines.

SITA’s grant – alongside sponsorship from the Plough Boy Inn, Saltash – has also been used to subsidise Caradon’s club clothing for the next year, which was designed by the club’s development squad.

Thursday 28th also saw the naming of the Galley Slave – Caradon’s GRP training gig, built by Richard Bland.

The boat was purchased using club funds, much of which has been raised by Caradon’s hard-working ‘food ladies’ who serve refreshments at local regattas and events.

It was lined up alongside the club’s oldest boat ‘Ann Glanville’ at the naming ceremony – a reminder of Caradon’s rich history.

For pictures of the launch, see the Caradon Gig Club Facebook page. You can also follow the club on Twitter: @CaradonGigClub.