Helford River Gig Club rowers achieved exceptional results at this year's Scillies World Championships.

After several years without this event, 2022 saw its return with the 31st World Pilot Gig Championship.

Steve Bagshaw, Helford club chairman said: “Our club has always been very competitive and everyone has given blood sweat and tears to get our crews ready for their events. The standard increases year on year and Helford have yet again shown itself to be one of the top clubs.”

The racing over three days is intense and exciting with over 5,000 visitors & spectators estimated who view the racing from the rocks, tripper boats or their own moorings.

The Helford spirit could be heard up and down the beach and from every corner of the island – and that was before the celebrations supported by sponsors – Rosemullion Gin and Rum.

HELFORD RIVER GIG CLUB RESULTS

Ladies A crew came 2nd in the world - of 114 crews

Mens Vets crew came 5th in the world - of 36 crews

Ladies Super Vets crew came 21st in the world - of 51 crews

Mens Super Vets crew came 11th in the world - of 44 crews

Mens A crew came 7th in the world - of 106 crews

Mens B crew came 79th in the world - of 106 crews

Ladies Vets crew came 15th in the world - of 37 crews.

Open Ladies B 42nd out of 114

Helford River Gig Club was founded over 20 years ago. The club says it prides itself on maintaining a strong competitive edge in all age groups, year after year, whilst maintaining a friendly and inclusive team-based membership.

Helford River Gig Club was founded in 1993 and at its first public meeting in Gweek Village Hall 100 people attended and as a result an order was placed with the well-known, traditional boat builder, Ralph Bird and “Helford” was launched in August 1995. In 1999 the clubhouse and gig shed was acquired for gym and Concept 2 rowing training, maintenance and social events.

READ NEXT:

Lifeboat house re-conversion and coastal retreat among latest plans for Cornwall

“Helford” is still a familiar sight on the river and rowed in the Scillies this year. Over the years additional gigs including Merthen, Pedyn Billy and Ferryboat have been added and more recently Morgawr was added to its gig collection.

Morgawr was named after the mythical monster of the Helford and surrounding waters. During the nineteenth century fisherman reported netting sea serpents with legs and horned heads up to 20ft long off the Cornish coast.

Moving on to the first few years of the 1970’s and several sightings of a, ‘Morgawr’, (Cornish for, ‘Sea Giant’), began to emerge. Described as being 20+ft long with a humped back, long neck and horned head.

The creature has been sighted in the Helford River, off Pendennis Point, along Rosemullion head and Trefusis point in fact, this stretch of coastal path is know locally as, ‘Morgawr Mile’.

As recently as 2009 a "dark, thick furred creature with a bushy tail, glowing eyes and standing around 3/4ft tall" was allegedly spotted along the coastal walk from Swanpool to Gyllyngvase.

Another sighting was reported through the Falmouth Packet and described as, ‘…curled in a cat’s cradle position and looked a bit like an enormous Koala bear with a long bushy tail. It had long black hair with a brownish tinge.’

The races are the culmination of many, many hours of training both on and off the water with the support and guidance from many in the club and many other local competitive events to enjoy.

To find out more about the club and how to join go to hrgc.co.uk

The latest list of race dates is available on the CPGA website at www.cpga.co.uk