The Salcombe estuary rowing club is holding a gigathon on August 31.

This will be a 24-hour marathon row where members of the club will keep the gig moving up and down the estuary from 5pm on the Friday, finishing at 5pm on Saturday, September 1. The club is trying to raise funds towards a new wooden racing gig and a new plastic training gig.

Bolt, Cadmus and Wolf are the three gigs currently owned by the club.

They are extensively used by all sections of the club for training, social and competitive rowing and are also used to teach gig rowing to those interested in learning. This means that it is able to offer a variety of fixed seat rowing opportunities for most ages and abilities.  

The three gigs are used by all members of the club from juniors to superveterans, (over 50), social rowers and for the teaching of beginners.

Children begin in the club's four small boats, also learning seamanship from CRB-checked instructors. 

The club has been expanding in numbers, and pushing the boundaries in racing.

The tally of achievements are stacking up, with the gigs attending rowing regattas in the spring and summer months throughout the South West, including the biggest event on the calendar on the Isles of Scilly. 

All members are welcome to join the rowers at these spectacular events. The Salcombe name has travelled widely. London river race, Ocean to city race in Cork, Ireland, Ramsey Island race and Holland MPM race are just some of the venues visited over the last year, where we try to interest others in coming to visit our beautiful part of the world.

The new gigs are needed to ease the pressure on our existing equipment. The plastic one will be available year round, while in winter a rota of painting and maintenance means the wooden boats may be out of action for weeks on end.

A new racing gig will give our enthusiastic ladies' and men's crews an opportunity to compete with other clubs on an equal footing. Most top clubs have a racing boat which less than three years old.

Donations will be collected by our bucket collectors in Salcombe and Kingsbridge pubs and along the waterfront during the gigathon.

Please help us, and Kingsbridge and South Hams league of friends by donation at our website www,salcomberowing.co.uk (subscriptions page).

We are hopeful that, after the amazing Olympic games we have just witnessed, many more local people would be interested in trying out rowing.

After all it is a wonderful way to keep fit as well as enjoy our incredible surroundings. Come along and give it a try. We are well known for being friendly.