MISSION STATEMENT 

 “It is our ambition to provide training facilities for anyone who wants to learn rowing, seamanship and traditional boat building, also to put learned skills into healthy competition”   (if we achieve improved conditions to our boat shedby way of our refurbishment, we will have the facilities to put this into full force)

Rame Gig Club is looking towards not only its own future, but also that of local people whereby the aim is to create an enjoyable, interesting environment where people of all ages can enhance their physical attributes in a safe and friendly atmosphere.  

THE CLUB’S HISTORY
 
The club was formed in 1992 by former members of the Cawsand Bay Rowing Club and others in order to revive and promote the sport of competitive rowing on the Rame Peninsula.

Rame Gig Club was formed  to rivive and promote the sport of competitive rowing in the Rame Peninsula.  Principally to utilise our valuable natural resources - the sea and a mild climate and also to provide a healthy, athletic pastime for the members of our community - young and the more mature! Popular throughout the 19th Century, Pilot Gig racing had started in Newquay in 1962 and, by 1992 there were over 40 gigs racing for 20 Cornish clubs. With such fast recognition for the sport, it was decide, after a round of drinks in what was then the Smugglers Inn, to once again revive a part of our Cornish Heritage.

The sport provides the opportunity for the whole family to participate.  Families either row together or provide the network of behind-the-scenes supporters.  Each crew consists of six oarsmen and a coxswain, which are made up of boys and girls, men and women aged from 8 upwards.  We now have men and ladies veterans crew as well as a  Supervets crew. (Over 50's)

The club decided that a Cornish Pilot Gig would be the best type of boat to meet its objectives.  Gig racing is a fast growing sport and local to Cornwall, Isles of Scilly and Devon.There are numerous Regattas held throughout the summer in which the club competes.These attract large crowds as the racing is very colourful and spectacular.  We have an ideal location in Cawsand Bay for staging our own Regatta with excellant facilities for both spectator and competitors.

The "Spirit of Rame", a book written by Charles Walker with Joyce Smith tells of the history of rowing in the waters of The Rame Peninsula. It gives a delightful insight to what lfe was like before the days of modern roads, transport and technology.  Stories and anecdotes fro the locals have been remembered and written down - family names such as Lentil, Jago, Marks, Mashford, Crane and Dawe, too many to mention here. 

Photos and illustrations facts and figures have been provided by Torpoint Archives, Plymouth City Library and the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.   If you are interested in either rowing or the Rame Peninsula or both, you'll find this read informative, funny and full of material that you probably never realised and have ever seen before.

The book "Spirit of Rame" can be purchased for £1.00 (£1.50 to include postage and Packing) The profits from the book go to Rame Gig Club.  For your copy please contact Rame Gig Club via email or telephone.