Tuesday 4th July 2023: Quick Sprint on WattBike on a Zwift France course

After some strength training with weights on arms, chest and legs carried out a virtual WattBike sprint session on a Zwift French course c’est bon as it reminded me if cycling in France 🇫🇷. Great fitness for the calf, thigh,glutes and foot/ ankles.

Sunday 2nd July 2023: Devoran Gig Club Fancy Dress Regatta

Penzance and Newlyn Pilot Gig Club setting up boat
PNPGC Full crew ready for action Aaargh 🏴‍☠️

The day started off by getting the boat ready for action on a windy and cloudy day All of the crews above in fancy dress. We arrived at just before 11 and dressed the boat with all sorts of pirate flags 🏴‍☠️ with one eye Willy 🩻 into the front of the boat. All our crews dressed up in pirate 🏴‍☠️ costumes

At this Regatta there were 11 clubs represented with crews as follows : EPIC (Valliant),Devaron (Faith & Fearless) Falmouth (Governor) Truro ( Messack) Hayle (Arveth), Penryn (Dew of the sea), Roseland (Kelligerran), Penzance & Newlyn (Morladron Varthys), Porthleven (Energetic), Flushing & Mylor (Zahn), Helford (Helford) There were several races and we took part in Ladies A, Ladies B, Men’s B, Ladies vets and Men’s mixed ones. I was in the Men’s B and Men’s mixed in seat 5. This was the first race for many of our rowers but although we came last in all races except the Ladies Vets. Everyone came out smiling. My races are outlined below

One Eyed Willy ready for action

The First race we took part in was unfortunate as we did not make the start line before the marshals started the race so we were 2-3 boat lengths behind but finished about the same behind the last boat. Cox : Wendy, 6: Steve, 5: Me, 4: Jonny, 3: Trevor, 2: Mikey, 1: Chris. We named this team the Blackbeard Crew😎

Men’s B race from Steve’s Strava as no time to start mine with the mix up at the start

The second race I was in was the mixed men’s vets and named Calico Jack Crew which consisted of Cox;Julie, 6: Steve, 5: Me, 4: Jonny, 3: Trevor 2: Chris, 1: Cara. Good row and a couple of boat lengths behind the last boat 🚣‍♀️ and think the crew was tired as both races were near each other. However all the crews did well as this was their first racing row together.

Men’s mixed vets race

The following photos were taken at the event which was well organised by the Devaron Pilot Gig club and we Penzance Gigrowers loved it. Starting with the results

Results at the Devaron meet with us coming 9th out of eleven teams
Men’s mixed Vets
Launching Morladron
Men’s Mixed Vets in action
Oars up

Thursday 29th June 2023: Quick Spin on WattBike on a ROUVY USA Triathlon Sprint Championship course

Quick virtual ride on WattBike on a ROUVY USA Triathlon sprint Championship course. Had issues with set up and gears so could not complete the course due to time constraints. Nice course for sprinting but gear changes a bit erratic. This was followed by strength training for arms and core with weights. Did 50 crunches and a short plank for the core.

Wednesday 28th June 2023: Virtual WattBike ride on Zwift Hilly Harrogate circuit

Nice hilly WattBike virtual ride on Harrogate Zwift course. Good one to improve fitness of cycling 🚴‍♂️ on hills also for gig rowing especially on the quads. Quiet course for fellow cyclists on this one compared to other courses on Zwift. This was followed by a brief strength training session.

Monday 26th June 2023: PNPGC Mixed Men’s Training session

Evening row from Sandy Cove in Newlyn. Lots of race training. Cox : Julie, 6 Steve, 5 Me, 4 Jonny, 3 Grant 2 Trevor 1 Mikey with Jenny who was a rower from Henley on holiday and wanted to experience gig rowing 🚣‍♀️. She swoped with Trevor half way. Cool evening compared to previous nights and great for racing.

Thursday 22nd June 2023: PNPGC Men’s Mixed Team to Mousehole from Sandy Cove

Lovely evening row as sun was going down. Went from Sandy Cove in Newlyn to Mousehole. Fun 🤩 row out and raced coming back. Lots of race practice, singing a few sea shanties with fun 🤩 and laughter 😂 . Cox: Julie, 6: Jane, 5: Me, 4: Jonny, 3: Trevor, 2: Alison, 1: Kerry. Went for a drink 🍻 afterwards at the Fisherman’s Arms in Newlyn with Alison, Jonny, Kerry, Trevor and Jayne.

Stop-off at Mousehole harbour

Monday 19th June 2023: PNPGC Men’s Crew training

Men’s Crew evening training session practicing sprinting, technique improvement and buoy turns in preparation for the Deveron Regatta. Julie : Cox, 6: Jonny 5: me, 4;Trevor, 3: Steve, 2: Mickey, 1: SteveM. Changed positions halfway through training. Good practice to swop from bow to stroke. Afterwards went for a couple of beers 🍻 in the Dock in Penzance with Trevor and Steve