On Saturday 2 July, West Bay will see the return of the Jurassic League to its waters. The regatta is hosted by the Bridport Gig Rowing Club, the current champions, who are based in West Bay. The club is delighted to see this event on home territory for the first time since 2018 – 2019 was cancelled because of the weather.
Competing teams in the league are based along the Dorset coast. Teams of rowers from clubs ranging from Exmouth to Poole; including Sidmouth, Lyme Regis, Portland, Weymouth, and Swanage and neighbouring clubs from Langstone (Hampshire) and Combwich (Somerset) are the challengers in the league that will be squaring up to one another. Each rower keen to win a medal in their particular race. Team points are scored for the races; at the end of the day these are combined to reveal the current position of each club in this year’s competition.
This year we are delighted that Torridge Pilot Gig Club will be taking part.
Bridport will be racing in Brydian, their newest wooden gig (built in 2017). Alongside another club favourite, Dagger (built in 2011). Both gigs are veterans of the World Pilot Gig Championships in the Scillies this year. The gigs will be launched from the harbour so there should be plenty of action visible from the quay side for visitors to enjoy.
Races start at 1000. The course is 2.3k long and includes navigating 3 buoys. The start and finish line will be visible off West Pier. The full schedule will be available on the day.
On The Mound Car Park there will a tombola (with a junior tombola for the kids) and stalls selling burgers, sausages, bacon rolls, sandwiches, cakes, coffees, and teas.