Rowing for Life : Help us fund a Plastic Gig!

Aim

Help Padstow buy a new plastic gig! We will boost junior rowing activity, expand our membership, and protect our vulnerable wooden fleet.

Who are we?

Padstow has a historic and profound connection to the sea and Padstow Rowing Club (PRC) is the vibrant keeper of that legacy. Gig rowing is deeply rooted in our town's history, born from the fierce competition of the 18th century merchant trade. Back then, gigs raced past the treacherous Doom Bar to secure profitable tenders, a practice that cemented this sport in our coastal identity.

While the merchant trade faded, the competitive spirit endured. After a surge in popularity in the 1950s, the modern Padstow Rowing Club was officially resurrected in 1987.

Today, we proudly uphold this tradition with our racing fleet, spearheaded by our two main racing gigs, Arrow and Petroc, and led by our locally-built flagship gig, Dasher (1989). We race against competitors across the South West, at the Newquay County Championships, and at challenging endurance events like the Great River Race in London. We also test ourselves annually at the prestigious World Pilot Gig Championships in the Isles of Scilly.  PRC is known for its competitive, fun, and friendly atmosphere, and by supporting us, you help ensure that Padstow's rich history and thriving sport continues for future generations.

Our mission is to preserve and promote the rich tradition of Cornish pilot gig rowing while fostering a spirit of competition, camaraderie, and community. We are committed to providing well-maintained equipment, nurturing competitive excellence, and offering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members. We aim to embody the core principles of friendship, comradeship and fun.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are launching this crowdfunding appeal to acquire a new, high-performance Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) gig.

Our cherished, historic wooden gigs are essential for competitive racing, performing superbly to keep us safe and fast while out on the water. However, the delicate nature of wood means these traditional boats require frequent, specialized maintenance, occasionally leading to periods of unavailability.

Adding a durable GRP gig to our fleet is a vital strategic move. This low-maintenance boat will provide uninterrupted access to the water, significantly boosting our capacity for training. Crucially, a GRP gig will allow us to expand opportunities for all members, young and old, ensuring consistent skill development and allowing us to welcome new junior rowers, a demographic we have regrettably had to limit in the past due to insufficient resources.

How we’ll spend the money raised

Every Pound is DOUBLED! 🤩

Help us unlock a £7.5k match fund from Sport England. If we hit that target, they instantly double it to £15k! This will secure our £12,500 new plastic gig and essential £3,800 junior oars. Double your impact and pledge today!

Community Impact

We hope to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable gig rowing community. The new GRP will be a catalyst for positive change and will provide additional opportunities for the local community, across all age ranges, to participate in sports and keep active.

Short-Term Benefits;

In the short term, current club members will benefit from more consistent and reliable rowing opportunities, leading to improved physical fitness and a stronger sense of belonging. The project will also specifically provide local juniors under 18 with a structured pathway into the sport.

The new GRP will also open up new competitive avenues, allowing us to enter events currently reserved for plastic gigs.

Long-Term Vision;

In the long term, we are striving to cultivate a new generation of rowers, ensuring the club's future and strengthening community ties.

Padstow is a fishing town where waterborne activities are part of the culture. It's important to offer young people the chance to get out on the water, learn about their environment and be safe.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

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