A new training boat for Par Bay Gig Club

Aim

We’re raising £15k for a new GRP training gig that gives people in our community of all ages and abilities the opportunity to row

About us

Par Bay Gig Rowing Club is proud to be a community-focused, volunteer-run club welcoming rowers of all ages and abilities. From eager juniors and absolute beginners to competitive crews, we are passionate about the sport and our local waters.

Our club commitment

•  Rowing that is open and accessible to all.
•  A club where everyone belongs and can thrive.
•  A coastal community strengthened by time spent together on the water.

Why we’re fundraising

We want to grow our club, our junior section is raring to go, and the local interest in rowing with us is at an all-time high.

However, we have a major bottleneck: we are running our entire club on just two boats—one training gig and one racing wooden gig.

With only a single training boat, we are severely limited in how many people we can get out on the water at one time. It makes it incredibly difficult to build our junior squad or accommodate the influx of beginners who want to try the sport.

We need to expand our fleet. A second, modern, lightweight GRP training gig will completely transform what we can offer. It will allow us to double our capacity, get more crews out simultaneously, and provide a stable, confidence-building boat that is perfect for young learners and newcomers alike.

A lightweight gig will mean more people rowing more often, with confidence, ease, and enjoyment.

What the new training gig will do

• Build our junior rowing programme: Give our youth the dedicated water time they need to learn, progress, and love the sport.
•  Get everyone on the water: Instantly double our training capacity so nobody is left waiting on the quay.
•  Strengthen links with local schools and youth groups: Create active, healthy outdoor opportunities for Par's young people.
•  Boost beginner opportunities: Provide a stable, confidence-building platform for those taking their very first strokes on the water.
•  Reduce cancelled sessions: Ensure we have the reliable fleet needed to keep our training schedule running.
•  A true community boat for a true community club.

Where your donation goes

Every pound directly supports:

• The new lightweight GRP training gig.
• Fittings and essential safety equipment (lifejackets, oars, and VHF radios) to keep our crews safe.
• A long-term investment that will open up rowing to hundreds of local people in Par Bay for years to come.

How you can help

💜 Donate what you can: Every contribution, large or small, brings us one stroke closer to our new boat.

💜 Share the campaign: Pass this page on to friends, family, and neighbours who want to see Par Bay thrive.

💜 Local business sponsorship: We have fantastic sponsorship opportunities available to showcase your business on our kit or the boat itself. Get in touch!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 8th October 2026 at 1:34pm