Falmouth’s World-First Junior Gig Rowing Academy Backed by Harbour

Falmouth Launches World-First Rowing Academy for Youngsters

Falmouth Harbour has announced its support for a new Junior Gig Rowing Academy, described as the first of its kind, aimed at encouraging young people into the growing sport of gig rowing.

The Academy has been created in partnership with Falmouth Pilot Gig Club and is designed to support aspiring rowers aged 11 to 18, whether they are completely new to water sports or already involved.

A Clear Pathway for Young Rowers

The Academy is the idea of life-long Falmouth gig rower Jordan Smith, who wants to provide a structured route from junior to senior rowing.

Jordan Smith said: “As gig rowers we are passionate about our sport, our gig communities and culture and the huge physical and mental benefits for people of all ages of getting out on the water with a committed crew to compete or just for fun.

“Our dedicated Academy aims to get more young people rowing and to support them through a critical stage in their development so they keep rowing into adulthood.”

The programme will offer both on-water and off-water training, covering rowing technique, overall fitness, and additional skills such as navigation, chart work and first aid. The aim is to give young rowers a broader understanding of the environment they train in.

Backing from Falmouth Harbour

Falmouth Harbour is providing support to help the Academy get off the ground. This includes free classroom space onshore, storage for a training gig, and sponsored kit for participants.

Tristan Rowe, Head of Commercial Operations at Falmouth Harbour, said: “Pilot Gigs are such an iconic sight out on our beautiful harbour waters and the Gig Clubs themselves create such strong and important communities.

“We’re proud to be able to support our local Club in establishing this World-first Junior Gig Rowing Academy to bring more and more young people into this fantastic and inspiring sport and nurture that enthusiasm into the senior rowing levels.”

Fundraising and New Equipment

Fundraising is already underway to support the Academy, with plans to purchase a full-size GRP training gig, along with oars, lifejackets and kit.

Sport England and the Movement Fund are providing 50% match funding for all money raised.

The club’s junior members have recently contributed by raising more than £1,500 through a sponsored indoor 120km rowing challenge at Falmouth Watersports Centre.

The new equipment is expected to increase time spent on the water, improve safety, and reduce wear on the club’s wooden race boats.

Building on a Strong Tradition

Gig rowing in Cornwall dates back to the late 17th century, when pilot gigs were used as working boats to transport pilots to incoming vessels. Crews would compete to reach ships first, with the successful crew securing the work.

Today, the boats are mainly used for sport, and the popularity of competitive gig rowing has grown significantly since the first World Pilot Gig Championships in the Isles of Scilly in 1990.

Falmouth’s Pilot Gig Club, formed more than 30 years ago, has built much of its success on developing a strong junior section.

Jill Hoather, the club’s current Junior captain, said: “Our new Junior Academy, with the support of our Club Captain, Jordan Smith, will give renewed energy and structure to the work we already do with our young rowers in Falmouth and hopefully help give them a life-long sense of the value of rowing on mind and body. There’s really nothing quite like it as our Veterans, Super-vet and Masters crews will confirm as they continue rowing and competing into their sixties, seventies and even beyond!”

Find Out More

More information about the Academy and fundraising efforts can be found on the club’s crowdfunder page.

Further details about Falmouth Harbour and its work are available on the official website.