The adrenalin-packed sport of gig rowing is zipping right for Bermuda, thanks to the St David’s Island Historical Society.

Gig rowing, also known as pilot boat racing, was popular on the Island until the 1930s when marine technology became more sophisticated.

Society members Debbie and Michael Jones were thrilled to discover the sport was still alive on a recent trip to Devon, England.

Enthusiasts there host regular regattas and Mrs Jones remembered a gig boat had been part of her childhood.

The pair shared their find with Society president Richard Spurling, and a plan was hatched.

Weeks later, competitive gig boat rower Steve Lock travelled to the Island from his home in Appledore, Devon to advise on the logistics of starting up a programme here.

“This project can have a profound effect on reviving our cultural maritime history, improving overall fitness, and add to Bermuda’s education programme,” said Mr Spurling.

He thought it would also help Bermuda increase its winter visitors, hotel occupancy and air arrivals.

One advantage is that in Bermuda’s mild climate, gig racing could be done all year, Mr Lock said. Bermuda gig rowers also wouldn’t have to cope with a big tidal range the way they do in some parts of England. Bermuda rowers also have immediate access to the ocean.

“When I flew over the Island, thankfully the plane did a big circle,” Mr Lock said. “I thought ‘oh my God, this place is absolutely built for gig racing. I could see three big areas of water. You could have intersound competitions.”

He described gig racing as a “massive adrenalin rush”. Races are normally two miles around a kite-shaped course, but some particularly challenging races can be up to 20 miles long.

Competitive coastal rower Lawrence Bird is one of those pushing for gig racing here. He said logistically, bringing several wooden gigs to Bermuda would be quite expensive.

“We’re looking at maybe starting with a version of a gig, maybe made from fibreglass,” he said “That would allow us to at least start up the sport, although we wouldn’t be able to compete internationally. To compete properly, you need a wooden boat.”

The Society expects to have gig boats in Bermuda by next spring.

It is estimated that two fibreglass gig boats would cost $35,000, plus $20,000 in shipping. The Society is also looking at possibly bringing in an expert to teach islanders how to make wooden gigs. The Society might also purchase a mould to make the fibreglass version in Bermuda.

“We have already talked with crews from England who would be interested in coming to Bermuda to race,” Mr Bird said. “Those people would all need to stay somewhere and eat and so forth. That would be a boost to the economy.”

Mr Lock said while in Bermuda, he met with a great deal of enthusiasm from the community.

“My association with Bermuda started when Debbie Jones and her husband Michael visited my village in Devon,” he said. “They were in England for their son’s wedding. They just happened to come to one of our gig boat regattas. Afterward I got talking with Debbie and she said she’d had a gig boat in her barn when she was a child that had belonged to her great grandfather.

“[Once here] we just happened to meet a group of Sea Cadets. When we told them about gig rowing, they wanted to row, right away.”

He expects to return to the Island to help train rowers once the programme is up and running.

“It’s not a boat you can just jump in and row,” he said. “It is not normal fishing boat rowing.”

In a gig, three rowers have an oar on the left side and three on the right.

“Bermuda is steeped in rowing, sailing and boat building traditions and heritage,” added Mr Spurling. “This project will bring a forgotten part of our heritage back to life, in particular boat building and gig rowing.”

For more information about the gig rowing project, e-mail rspurling@logic.bm.