Dart gig club held their annual lay-up race last Sunday.

Salcombe, Teign and Brixham joined the club for the race up to Dittisham. As usual, the women raced up and the men down.

For the first time Dart had three gigs in the line-up. The women raced up against wind and tide, which made for a long race. Off the start, Volante took an early lead and left Smudger and Teign fighting for second place.

Just above Maypool, Smudger finally cracked Teign, which gave Dart ladies first and second over the line, with Teign coming in third.

There was a great race for fourth and fifth  between Salcombe and Brixham in the last 100m, with Brixham just keeping the edge over Salcombe (the crew had four new racers).

Lightning brought up the rear, with several Dart ladies enjoying their first proper race.

The usual refreshments followed at the Ferry Boat Inn, before the men raced back to Dartmouth.

With the tide still ebbing, it was tricky lining the men's crews up for the start. Light­ning, with two novice ladies, two experienced ladies and two borrowed men, was given an early start.

The remaining five boats got off to a good start. Smudger and Volante were alongside until just north of the Anchorstone and then Volante started to pull into the lead, which they maintained to the finish.

Brixham, Smudger and Salcombe had a great fight all the way to the line for second, third and fourth with Teign in fifth and Lightning coming in not far behind.

After the racing the rowers retired to DARC for refreshments provided by club members. The first-place Lyzie Pyne trophies were presented to Dart for both the women's and the men's races. Brixham men were presented with the second-place men's trophy.

The club is indebted to those who supplied supporters' boats. The club also wish to thank everyone who helped out on the day, including all the members who supplied food.  

The club has wonderful support from all sorts of people, including those who have sponsored all our trailer boards. The club's next event will be their 24-hour sponsored row on the Dart, December 12 and 13, between the higher and lower ferries to raise money for the ongoing boat maintenance and replacement of worn out equipment – especially blades.

Ladies

Volante: Ali Bland, Kate Cooke, Halina Brown, Katharine Money, Ella Chivers, Lucy Swash, cox Colin Brown.

Smudger: Peta Chiv­ers, Clare Thorp, Bon­nie Chivers, Karen Har­vey, Paula Hine, Jilly Hampton, cox Paul Kunert.

Lightning: Annie Worsfold, Maggie Rus­sell, Katie Woodford, Hilary Bussell, Delia Kempley Lynne Maur­er, cox Carlos Minto.

Men

Volante: Jon Pope, Lea Humpreys, Chris Gale, Carlos Minto, Tom Holloway, Kevin John, cox Clare Thorp.

Smudger: Paul Kun­ert, Haydn Glanvill, Richard Bland, Rupert Kempley, Michael Bry­ant-Mole, Stan Bray, cox Kate Cooke.

Lighting mixed crew: Katie Lillington, Linda Cann, Peta Chivers, Ali Bland and two visiting male rowers, plus cox Jilly Hampton.