Weston-Super-Mare Pilot Gig Club is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charity Number 1198444. The club first took to the water in the summer of 2022. This was in a plastic training gig called Walter Hicks, sponsored by St Austell Brewery and loaned to us by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association (CPGA) for two years. The image above shows its inaugural trip into Weston’s waters.

Since 2022, our members have successfully fundraised over £20,000. The club now owns two of its own gigs: Eventide, a new fibreglass (GRP) training gig, and Weston Spirit, a renovated traditional wooden Cornish gig, both pictured below. Having a traditional wooden gig allows the club to become an official member club of the CPGA, and our members to take part in official races and regattas.

There are neighbouring gig clubs in Clevedon, Portishead, Burnham-on-Sea, Bristol, Combwich, and Clifton, and there’s a lively scene with regular friendly regattas and rowing events. There are also national and international events such as the World Pilot Gig Association’s annual World Championships, held every first May Bank Holiday weekend on St Mary’s, on the Isles of Scilly.

As well as racing opportunities, Weston Gig Club offers social opportunities for those that want to enjoy non-competitive recreational rowing. There is also an over 55s rowing group that usually meets on weekdays.

For those who don’t want to row but love the idea of being part of the club, there are many voluntary opportunities to get involved in shore-based roles that are very important to the running of sessions and the administration of the club. This could involve shore-crewing (being in charge of the VHF radio when the boats are out), helping with boat and kit maintenance, or doing desk- or computer-based work such as running the social media or helping to plan events.

Weston Gig Club is affiliated to Weston Bay Yacht Club, so its members are social members of the Yacht Club. We can join in the Club House’s bar and social events, and have access to the building’s toilet and kitchen facilities when rows are on. Read our FAQ for info on tide times, parking, and how to find out when rows are on, and use our Contact Us form if you have any questions. To apply to join us for your first trial row or to join the club, submit the Application Form which you’ll find on our Join the Club page.