The weather was once again fantastic for Dart Gig Club's lay-up race last Sunday. 

The race is traditionally held at the end of the season, before the wooden gigs are put away for the winter, and is rowed in memory of the late  Lyzie Pyne, who requested that her gig rowing friends remember her on this final 'fun' race of the season. 

Dart welcomed their closest friends and rivals to join them for the race up to Dittisham and this year Dart's gigs 'Lightning' and 'Volante' were racing against 'Top Catch' from Paignton, 'Teign Spirit' from Teignmouth and 'Bolt' from Salcombe. 

The gigs arrived during the morning and were launched off from the public slipway up by the Higher Ferry in time for the start at midday.

The ladies are always the first to row and they race up river to Dittisham with the men following and cheering in a motley selection of spectator boats. 

The course takes the boats from just below the Higher Ferry with the finish line off the ferry steps at Greenway Quay.  The ladies had a good line and a clean start with 'Top Catch' taking an early lead.  The rest of the pack jockeyed for positions and kept her in their sights all the way.  'Lightning' and 'Volante' dropped back slightly at the start as our ladies settled in to rowing in different crews.  However, 'Lightning' pulled up well on 'Morgan' and had a great stroke for stroke race, upping the rate on the straight up from Noss. 

With lots of encouragement from the cox, who nearly yelled himself hoarse, they caught 'Morgan' and nearly took 'Bolt' by the Anchorstone. 

However, 'Bolt'  hung on for second with 'Top Catch' winning for the second year running.   'Volante' fought valiantly to try and catch the leaders and were cheered on by all as she crossed the line –  well done  to Maggie Russell for your hard work in the bow.

Gigs were moored to buoys and alongside the Ditsum jetty for a short while as the crews enjoyed refreshments at the Ferry Boat Inn before the men took to the boats for the race back.

Their start was delayed while two of 'Lightning's crew were ferried up from Dartmouth so that the other four gigs, including 'Volante', sat on the start line vying for a good position.

Both Dart crews were mid stream where the tide was strongest. 'Volante', with cousins Robin and Simon Tozer racing for the first time, got away to a strong start, unfortunately breaking a pin in the process.

With a tangle of oars they fell behind 'Bolt', 'Top Catch' and 'Lightning' and by the time they found their rhythm again by Maypool were two lengths down. 'Bolt' took an early lead which they built upon and slowly pulled further and further ahead. 'Top Catch' and 'Lightning' were level pegging for a while before 'Lightning' started to gain a slight  lead.  The river became quite choppy by this time with the water churned up by other river users enjoying the wonderful spectacle provided by these beautiful boats.

'Morgan' brought up the rear with a mixed crew.  The gig club  thanks  all the clubs for attending and bringing support boats.

The presentation and more refreshments were enjoyed at the Floating Bridge Inn, where trophies were awarded with the 'Lightning' men again winning the Margaret and Eddie Preece Trophy for the first Dartmouth men's crew home.  

It was a splendid day on one of the most picturesque rivers in the country and Dart rowers fondly remembered Lyzie Pyne and Eddie Preece, both of whom loved their rowing.

The club also thoroughly appreciates the co-operation of the Higher Ferrymen and Dittisham Ferrymen,  the Dart  Harbour Authority and the splendid hospitality of the  two FBI's.

Rowing now continues throughout the winter using our two glassfibre training gigs 'DillyE' and 'Dart' and we invite anyone to come and join us.