What is a Cornish pilot gig?

A Cornish pilot gig is a six-oared wooden rowing boat, traditionally used to race pilots out to incoming ships in the Isles of Scilly and along the Cornish coast. Today the sport has spread far beyond the South West, with clubs from Scotland to the Channel Islands fielding crews. The boats are around 32 feet long, clinker-built, and surprisingly stable. If you can walk and hold a spoon, you can learn to row one.

The appeal is simple. Gig rowing is a team sport that rewards timing over brute strength, suits a wide range of ages and abilities, and gets you out on the water in some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the country. Most clubs welcome complete novices and will have you in a boat within a few weeks.

Finding a club and making contact

Start by searching for your nearest gig club. They are dotted all around the UK coast, and many have active websites and social media pages listing training times. If you are unsure, ask at a local harbour office, sailing club, or watersports centre — someone will know who rows nearby.

Most clubs have a membership secretary or a new rowers contact. Send a friendly email or simply turn up on a training night. Expect a warm welcome: gig clubs are famously sociable, and most are actively looking for new members.

• Taster sessions: many clubs run free or low-cost taster rows in spring. These are the easiest way to try before committing.
• Training nights: usually weekday evenings from April to September, with indoor fitness or erg sessions in winter.
• Membership fees: typically modest, often £50–£150 a year, plus a small fee per row or a race levy.

Your first row: what actually happens

On your first session you will be paired with an experienced cox and a crew. The cox sits in the stern, steers, and calls the rate. You will be shown how to hold the oar, how to sit, and the basic cycle of catch, drive, finish, and recovery. Do not worry about getting it right first time. Everyone wobbles, catches a crab, or loses the rhythm at some point — it is part of learning.

Most beginners start in one of the middle seats, where timing is easier to follow. You will not be expected to row at race pace straight away. The focus is on safety, posture, and getting a feel for the water. After a few outings you will be surprised how much more natural it feels.

What to wear and bring

You do not need expensive kit to start. Clubs usually provide oars, boats, and buoyancy aids. Wear comfortable, quick-drying clothing and be prepared for the weather to change.

• Layers: a base layer, a fleece, and a light waterproof top. Avoid cotton, which stays cold when wet.
• Footwear: trainers or wetsuit boots that can get wet. Bare feet are fine in summer but can slip.
• Gloves: cycling gloves or rowing gloves help prevent blisters, though many rowers prefer bare hands once their skin toughens.
• Water bottle: rowing is thirsty work, even on a grey day.
• A cap and sunscreen: the sun reflects off the water, so protection matters even when it is overcast.

Leave valuables at home or in a clubhouse locker. Bring a towel and a change of clothes for afterwards — you will get splashed.

Learning the basics of the stroke

The gig stroke is a continuous, circular motion. You reach forward, drop the blade into the water, drive with your legs and back, then pull the handle to your ribs and extract the blade cleanly. The recovery is the opposite: hands away, body over, then slide forward. Timing with the rest of the crew matters more than power. A smooth, together crew will always beat a strong, ragged one.

Listen to your cox. They will call the rate, often around 22 to 26 strokes per minute for training and higher for racing. If you are struggling, say so. Adjust your seat position or ask for a shorter outing. Nobody minds.

Settling into club life

Once you have completed a few rows, you will be invited to join regular crew sessions and perhaps a race. Do not be intimidated by the word "race" — most regattas have novice and mixed crews, and the atmosphere is friendly and supportive. You will also find plenty of social events: barbecues, quiz nights, and away trips.

Ask about safety briefings, capsize drills, and local tide conditions. Every club has its own routines, and learning them is part of becoming a useful crew member. Most of all, be patient with yourself. Gig rowing rewards consistency, and the friendships you make on the water tend to last far longer than any race result. Turn up, listen, and enjoy the ride.