Well, thanks to some remarkable follow-through and some fantastic writing on the part of our local Beacon’s sports editor, Jason Brisbois, the Gloucester Gig Rowers have received some well-deserved coverage:
Beacon article “Permanent Gig: Even Cold Weather Can’t Stop Local Rowing Group”
Kudos to all!
The Gloucester Gig Rowers finished off a fun-filled 2008 season with flair and success at the November 1st Plymouth Bay Race. Our group gathered together early in the morning, under an overcast sky, at our base of the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center to coordinate and gear-up for a competitive adventure on neighboring waters. We joined some 22 other boats and nearly 80 rowers off the picturesque shore of Neslon’s Beach in Plymouth Bay. Originally a 3.5 mile triangular course, organizer Mike Jenness orchestrated a last minute adaptation to add-on an extra half-mile zig-zag pattern for the benefit of the beachside spectators!
With some 10 miles of visibility and 16 mph northerly winds, the women of Gloucester’s Siren Song rowed hard and strong to come in at 50:01 over Team Saquish’s gig, the Mike Jenness Sr., at 51:30. It was a fantastic day, a large turnout and plenty of comradery to go around.
Check out a photo spread on flickr from the day, thanks to the shoreside support efforts of Don Sawyer >>
Download pdf of the Plymouth Bay Row 2008 Race Results>>
At the inspiration of Esther Martin, a group of Gloucester Gig Rowers made the trek down to Hull, MA a week ago (Saturday October 18th) to row hard and strong with no excuses in a highly contested international competition. The Head of the Weir is a 5.5 mile race from West Corner (on the Hingham-Hull line) to the Windmill Point Boathouse at Hull Gut. The Weir draws boats of all sorts, from coxed gigs, ocean shells, livery and workboats, currachs, to kayaks and canoes. Our team of 7 in the sturdy Siren Song jockeyed for position at the muddle of a starting line and made headway out the narrow estuary and onto open water, past Bumpkin Island, and across Hull Bay to a slight beach at the Hull Lifesaving Museum’s Windmill Point Boathouse.
Using a “head of the river” format, boats set-off from the so-called starting line in flying-starts at one-minute intervals, and times were collated at the finish to determine the race winners. This year was particularly rich with some 28 odd coxed boats showing their mettle. Our Siren Song team came in second with a time of 53:33—beating all the Saquish teams, a Dutch women’s crew, a Dutch men’s crew, as well as boats from the Vineyard and Lake Champlain.
Check out an album of photos from the event here: Head of the Weir flickr album.
Gloucester Gig Rowers: Bill, Bart, chip, Ellen, Esther, JC, Donna
A weekend row on the harbor usually affords us a few moments of letting the gig run as we sit back and soak in the sights, roll with the relaxing rock of the boat and slip into contemplative joys of the sport… take a look-see at a video of one of our brief respits this past Saturday >>
Gloucester Gig Rowing
It’s a small world with a lot to see, write about, experience and share. Our little Gig Rowing Blog got a plug from dedicated blogger and local – Joey. Check out his GoodMorningGloucester for not only a daily photo essay, but an intimate connection to the threads that make up the ongoing history and guts of our lively shore.
A fun-filled day off the shore of Niles Beach brought the Siren Song women’s team in with a win over their sister gig, the Gannet, and Saquish Rowing Club on the Mike Jenness Sr.
Women’s race:
Siren Song gig — (Barbara/cox, Brittany, Esther, JC, Carole, Judy, Penny)
Time = 42:24
Mike Jenness Sr. gig
Time =43:25
Gannet gig — (Laurie/cox, Debra, Freida, Amy, Ellen, Catie, Traci)
Time = 48:35
In the men’s heat, the Mike Jenness Sr. edged out Siren Song for a smooth finish.
Siren Song gig — (Laurie/cox, Chip, Bart, Ray, Scott, Stephen, Bill)
Time = 33:06
Mike Jenness Sr. gig
Time = 32:58
Thanks to all and their efforts to make this landmark event happen. This was the first hosting of a rowing match for the Gloucester Gig Rowing Club in our harbor.
Bravo!
Along with the excitement for our scrimmage with Team Saquish today there has been much activity and additional rowing for the teams on the Siren Song and the Gannet!
Banks Dory: Eileen & Sharon
Having strolled downed to the Maritime Center early Saturday morning to check on rowing times, I bumped into Eileen and Sharon as they were preparing to take the banks dory out for a spin. Sharon took the stern to power them through the beautifully placid inner harbor, while Eileen took bow for the finesse of avoiding buoys and wayward craft.
This past month marks my plunge into the Gloucester Gig Rowers club. An offshoot of the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, it is yet another of Cape Ann’s many understated treasures. With an orientation and two rows under my belt—the six oar pilot gig is truly addictive. Having spent many years kayaking solo around the nooks and inlets of Gloucester’s coast, the team energy of the gig is incredibly refreshing.
Gloucester Gig Rowing 