How to row a long way! By Steve O'Brien

Tresco and Bryher Gig Rowing Club had been plotting for some time to organise a significant challenge to raise money for two causes. Primarily to raise funds in support of the Precious Lives Appeal, a charity who aims to provide the South West with its first children’s hospice. The club also decided that as our current ‘gig shed’ is in such a dilapidated state that efforts should be made to re-house these valuable craft in a more suitable building; money was needed to be found to get this off the ground.

A row of some distance seemed a logical place to start and as the crew members debated the merits of finishing a crossing to the mainland in Penzance, or from the mainland to here in Scilly, the notion was voiced that we could row in both directions – something never previously attempted. Perhaps, on reflection, it was an idea that was borne from raw enthusiasm rather than a real grasp of what it might entail! But the idea certainly had support from the start.

It was clear that two crews would make the crossing to Penance: the Men-a-vaur and the Czar. The Czar crew were also committed to rowing back the following day – a round trip that would cover 80 nautical miles. A support boat would be necessary, sponsorship would need to be addressed, and provisions collected – food, water and some large pots of Vaseline to anoint the parts of the body most affected by ‘wear and tear’. Most importantly we needed weather and sea conditions to be favourable - no point battling the elements more than necessary… Some minor set-backs meant we abandoned more than one scheduled date, including a close encounter with a plan to set out from Tresco at 2am (to make the most of the tide).

Eventually a break in the weather did occur and on Tuesday 26th August the Men a Vaur slipped into the water making a start towards Penzance, closely followed at 7.15am by the Czar. It was estimated that the Czar, being beamier so better suited to the swells of the open sea, would make better time, and should start a little later. This ensured that when catching-up with the Men a Vaur the gigs would be together to meet the traffic separation scheme (allowing shipping moving North/South to move safely) that operates between Lands End and Scilly. This would be the area that was most risky as the gigs would be difficult to spot by larger vessels and would be particularly vulnerable, even with the aid of the support boat Cyclone, who would always be close to hand.

The stroke rate was considerably more relaxed than that employed in the inter island races (which cover distances varying from one to three miles). Forty-five minutes of rowing saw us outside the Eastern Isles with the islands slipping slowly out of sight: it would be hours before bow side rowers could follow the Cornish coast line into Penzance.

Carried by a favourable swell the Czar surfed well, making the rowing less arduous, and despite one enforced stop to allow a tanker to wend its way north, all other breaks were taken on the move. These were brief affairs, staggered every hour to take on food and water, and with four paddles maintaining momentum.

We met with the Men-a-vaur later than expected as they too had been making good time. Other company on the way came in the form of the Scillonian III and the odd yacht. Lands End indicated that we were 9 miles away from Penzance. The gauging of our progress was more tangible now we had reached landfall and had more than the constantly undulating seascape to watch go by. The following 2 hours passed comfortably, bringing us into Penzance 7 hours and 45 minutes after leaving Scilly and feeling surprised at the lack of blisters, aches and pains. Men-a-vaur came alongside shortly after. Everyone was tired but in high spirits, and the Czar crew began contemplating the next day’s row home. After bringing the gigs up the slipway to be stowed overnight, with the help of representatives of Zennor Gig Club, food and rest were top of the agenda.

Wednesday morning saw another early start, thankfully we were greeted by a serene Mounts Bay. This made the going good at least for the first 2 hours that were required to reach Lands End. The benign swell we had experienced on leaving Scilly was now shorter and choppier, requiring more concentration and effort but this was what we had expected. By the middle of the traffic lanes we had slowed from a steady 5 knots to a little over 2, and the economy of effort we had enjoyed by maintaining a steady rhythm on Tuesday was much harder to achieve. All this led to our ETA being revised and re-revised.

Coming to Hanjague, the most Easterly of the islands rocks, brought us some relief as now we were in the protection of the islands and water was calmer. There was also a growing flotilla of supporters and well wishers who followed us all the way in to the quay at New Grimsby.

The return leg was expected to be slower by some margin: the keel touched the sand at 5.35pm – a journey time of 10hours and 20 minutes. Everyone who took part describes our achievement as incredibly satisfying, but in the same breath vows emphatically that it is also a ‘one-off’! It is something we will never forget, and gazing out of the window down on the ocean, from out of the helicopter flying between Scilly and Penzance, will never quite feel the same again.

The Challenge is Set!

The CZAR & MEN-A-VAUR BOYS rowed from Tresco to Penzance & Back Again
2 Crews 12 Rowers! 80 Nautical Miles over 2 days!
The crews raised money for:
The Precious Lives Appeal
and for funds towards a new gig shed for the club

And they're off...

Men-A-Vaur & Czar Boys set off at 6.30am Tuesday 26th August 2008
All was calm that morning at the gig shed as the boys prepared
for their row to the mainland.
Supplies for the journey ahead were loaded on board,
final checks made and they were off. Penzance here we come!

The Hard Bit...

Both crews arrived in Penzance in fantastic time.
The Czar - 7 hours 45 Minutes
The Men-A-Vaur - 8 hours 30 minutes
The Czar Boys set off home at 7am the following morning,
with the M.A.V crew alongside on the support boat.

The crews returned safely and to a rapturpous welcome. We're very proud of their achievement and will include all the details, some more photos, and hopefully a bit of insight from one of the rowers.

Please keep checking this page for more information about the challenge: times, amount raised etc - there is still much more to add to this page! We are also still more than happy - really very happy - to accept donations towards this challenge. Please use the donate button below to make your contribution, or email trescoandbryhergigclub@googlemail.com for other ways to contribute.