DART took the traditional Gig rowing sandwich and threw out the filling last month, holding a delightful regatta for juniors and masters only, the seniors could take the day off.

Unexpected early Autumn sunshine graced this event which hosted the cream of Devonian rowing from Swanage and Exmouth far out east to Yealm in the west.

The under 14’s, aboard the redoubtable “Smudger” tore out of the traps in Race One setting an example for their clubmates, surging up the 1500m course like hungry Orca pursuing a juicy fat seal they took the win in the opening heat, Yealm and Salcombe trailed in the wake picking up mere scraps of second and third, however a final awaited.

Next up the under 16’s, sitting on the start line could feel the pressure, both from the lurking presence of “Wolf” and “Lightning” alongside and the expectation of matching their younger counterparts. BANG - they are off!

From the Embankment discerning Gig pundits analyse the style, all crews surging against the chop, there is nothing to fear however for these Maroon clad Tyros, they execute the plan with panache and that plan is to come first. In the nail-biting interval between the juniors heats and finals the elder states people take to the water.

Dart ladies record a victory annihilating Teign, whilst the men battle Swanage and Bridport across the line.

This all paled into insignificance as the youngsters saddled up for the deciders of their competitions, could they - the future of the Dart Gig Club - follow through on the promise of the early morning? Of course they could!

Both smashed the same opposition, the “14’s” putting Salcombe to the sword and the “16’s” then (metaphorically) burning down their club house.

The rest of the regatta fortunately passed off in a more genteel fashion with the women capitalising on their early victory and the men enjoying the occasion heartily. The ladies’ win was in fact foreshadowed by their triumph at the Masters Champs in Paignton on the August 16, this bodes well for the Scillies campaign in which Dart hope to field powerful men’s and women’s master crews.

In a similar vein, Robin of the U14 crew saw success on October 10 on the restless waters of Plymouth Sound being part of the winning Devon County crew who beat the big favourites Cornwall.

At the same event the day before, many senior Dart men aboard “Wolf” vanquished Cornwall on ill fated “Spirit of Rame” to take the vets title, two hopeful harbingers of the future - watch this space!

The club continues to use the “Cosy” season to build their endurance and strength in what the Italians call the “Grotta del dolore” on Coronation Park, this training of course only mildly inconvenienced by the upcoming “Frostbite Series.” There is no rest for the wicked or the determined and successful.