Dart Gig Club held its annual regatta on Saturday, April 6. There was an enormous change in the winter weather – the sun shone, the wind dropped and even the dolphin came out to play.

This is one of the first regattas of the season before the World Championships take place in the Isles of Scilly in early May. Eight clubs travelled to Dartmouth to take part in ideal conditions for what was a thoroughly enjoyable and friendly event.

As usual, the Dartmouth Yacht Club allowed Dart Gig Club to use its premises as their base.

With 'Dyer and Butler' still undertaking building work on the lower slipway, it made access to the water a little tricky, but they very kindly created two walk ways through to the pontoon put out by Dart Harbour Authority. Colin Brown took the coxes meeting as well as providing the club with supplies for catering.

The racing began at 12.30pm with the ladies' B race. The Dart B crew had their first outing as a complete crew and they came in second to Salcombe.

This was followed by the ladies' A with a new crew, who fared well, coming in fifth.

The Dart men were up next in the men's A and were having a great first leg until the number five thole pin plate came away, leaving them with five rowers.

Despite this misfortune they still managed to come in seventh, ahead of two crews.

The Dart ladies supervets had a strong row in the ladies', coming in third behind Ilfracombe and Teign. The Dart men's vets crew didn't fare quite so well and came home sixth.

Thanks to Appledore, who loaned their boat, Dart were able to field two crews in the the ladies' C race – one the Isles of Scilly C crew (third) and the other a crew of novices ably stroked by Lisa Rendle, who came in last but not that far behind the fifth crew.

Dart men's C crew featured a crew of new and old rowers who rowed well to come in third, but their result didn't count as some of the rowers had already rowed in the A race.

The last race of the day was the mixed race. Dart put out a crew with Kate Cooke stroking her first race.

The crew had a great race, giving extra effort when required to get the water, rounding the first mark in third position. They had a real fight to maintain their position, with Caradon and Ilfracombe challenging them all the way to the finish.

Dart held their water to come in a creditable third, behind Salcombe and Cattewater.

Special thanks to our commentator Hilary Bastone, who made sure the participating crews and spectators knew the running order and the results of each race.

The club had wonderful support from non-members to assist with registration, finishing, umpiring, manning and supply of safety and following boats – a special thank you to Ribeye for supplying two boats. Thanks also to the Sloping Deck for hot pasties.

Thanks also to the Royal Dart Yacht Club for the supply of the racing marks, without which the club could not run the event.

Dart were pleased with their results against strong visiting crews and everyone at the club is looking forward to the coming season.

The world championships are even more eagerly anticipated this year as Dart are taking their new gig 'Smudger', which will be launched in the next few weeks or so. With a lighter and faster gig, the club is expecting improved results.

Rowers: Peta Chivers, Jo Hayden, Ella Chivers, Chloe Gardner, Kate Cooke, Karen Gardner, Amanda Dyer, Clare Thorp, Maggie Trubshaw, Wendy Jones, Bonnie Chivers, Lucy Swash, Mary Eames, Maggie Russell, Paula Hine, Liz Moseley, Carol Squire, Anne Worsfold, Lisa Rendle, Suzanne Huddart, Hilary Bussell,Rachel Cole, Anja Cullerton, Shirley Waycott, Paul Kunert, Tom Holloway, Simon Tozer, Jonny Holmes, Jon Pope, Mark Peters, Stan Bray, Michael Bryant-Mole. Coxes – Paul Kunert, Colin Brown, Mark Peters, Jonny Holmes, Clare Thorp.