Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club Enjoys Strong Start To 2026 Season

Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club has enjoyed a splendid start to the 2026 season after taking part in the first Three Harbours event of the year in Chichester Harbour.

Seventeen boats and around 150 rowers from several southern clubs assembled for the March fixture, the Head of the Harbour Regatta, hosted by Itchenor Sailing Club.

The club provided a warm welcome, as well as its picturesque setting and extensive facilities on the banks of the harbour.

Fourteen rowers from Yarmouth travelled to the event on Saturday, taking their Cornish Pilot Gig, Sea Spirit, on the 08:20 ferry from Fishbourne to Portsmouth.

The club entered two crews – one in the mixed race, which requires at least three female rowers, and one in the open category, where crews can be made up in any combination.

Conditions were near perfect for racing, with light winds, blue skies and sunshine, although temperatures remained a little chilly.

The course was a straightforward ten-kilometre circuit starting in front of Itchenor Sailing Club, heading out towards East Head before rounding a buoy and returning to the start line to finish.

Both Yarmouth crews said they enjoyed a rewarding row and felt they had given their best effort.

Competing in the fixed-seat category, the club recorded strong results.

In the open race, Yarmouth finished as the fastest Cornish Pilot Gig and first overall.

In the mixed race, they were again the fastest Cornish Pilot Gig and placed fourth overall.

Chairman Keith Campbell said:

“It was great to see such team spirit and camaraderie with everyone supporting each other and particularly gratifying to gain a first-place trophy right at the beginning of the season.

"If we can keep this up during 2026 it bodes well for a successful and enjoyable year.

"Well done Yarmouth!”

The open crew was made up of Sarah Forster (stroke), Nick Mills, Terry Simms, Geoff Olden, Andy Woodbridge, Clive Kite and Bill Freshwater (cox).

The mixed crew featured Fiona Thorpe (stroke), Rosanne Martin, Mark Farrar and Caroline.