Gig rowers from Bermuda will take to the waters 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, England, in the Isles of Scilly for three days of racing for the World Pilot Gig Championships.

Fifteen members of the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club will be competing in a traditional wooden pilot gig boat against more than 140 other crews from Britain, Ireland, United States and the Netherlands in male, female, open and super veterans categories.

“This is the second time Bermuda’s gig rowers have participated in the World Pilot Gig Championships,” said Paula Wight, the chairwoman of the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club.

“We have been training very hard and are excited to compete in such a fun and challenging environment.

“This annual event, now in its 30th year, is one of the main events in the gig rowing calendar.”

Racing begins on Friday in the super veterans division, all aged above 50, while the open categories, of crews aged over 16, will race twice on Saturday and Sunday. Bermuda will be represented at the championships by Wight, Nives Filice, Roger Gillett, Andy Pell, Alex Amat, Hattie Armstrong, Laura Lyons, Natalie Sannemalm, Shrene Shergill, Hillary Williams, Nick Barrett, Craig Budzynski, Liam Jones, Tim Khoo and Richard Mansfield.

The Bermuda Pilot Gig Club has close to 200 members who row regularly out of four locations, with Wight keen to encourage rowers of all ages and backgrounds to get involved.

“Our aim is to attract rowers from all sectors of the community,” she added.

“We offer rows for the fit and not so fit, the young and not so young.

“A goal this year is to grow our youth programme, with our youngest members, aged 14, learning about this exciting maritime tradition.

“Rowing is a fantastic, social sport that allows you the opportunity to get out on Bermuda’s waters for a great low-impact exercise that improves your overall fitness and wellbeing.”

To learn more about the club e-mail info@bermudapilotgigclub.com