Burnham-On-Sea RNLI volunteer competes at World Gig Championships
Burnham-On-Sea Gig Club has returned from a successful weekend at the World Pilot Gig Championships in the Isles of Scilly, with local RNLI crew member Julie Brown proudly rowing as part of the Ladies Open team, for a third year.
Held over the early May Bank Holiday, the event brought together over 100 traditional Cornish pilot gigs and crews from across the UK and Europe. Burnham’s boat, Brue, was shipped from Penzance to join the prestigious fleet competing in the three-day championship.
Julie Brown, who is a volunteer lifeboat crew with Burnham-On-Sea RNLI, was selected to row in the Ladies Open team, which competed in four demanding races across the weekend—placing second in their group.
Julie Brown says; ‘It was a tough set of race conditions, with one of the race days bringing headwinds of 28mph and large waves,” she said. “Despite the conditions, it was a fantastic experience and a real privilege to be selected to row at the World Pilot Gig Championships in the Scillies.’
Julie continues; ‘The team’s result reflects months of training and dedication, both on and off the water. I’ve been a volunteer with the RNLI since 2023, and Burnham on sea gig rowing club since 2019.
Burnham voluteer Lifeboat Press Officer Mike Lang adds; 'We are endebted to G & B Gig photography for their permission to use these terrific photographs of the Burnham-on-Sea gig.'
There is further information below in Notes for Editors
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Notes for Editors:
Statement by Julie Baker, (who is a Coxswain at Burnham-on-Sea gig rowing club, and also married to Lyndon Baker, a RNLI crewmember/ Launch Authority at Burnham-on-Sea) said; ‘We recently competed in the World Pilot Gig Championships in the Isle of Scilly. Held over the May bank holiday weekend, 450 crews competed in races. This is the 3rd year the club have attended and each year we grow in numbers. A logistical masterpiece goes into holding this event with thousands of rowers staying on the islands. The racing took place over 3 days with a 3km race from St Agnes back to St Mary’s harbour and a 2km Nut Rock Race from near Tresco to St Marys’
The Ladies Super-Vets came 37th out of 45 boats and won their group D Nut Rock race. The Ladies and Men’s Open race the St Agnes Race and have 3 further Nut Rock races over 2 days.’
‘There were 130 boats on the mile wide start line for the St Agnes race, with very tricky windy conditions and waves making the rowing particularly challenging on the Saturday. Fortunately, the weather improved for Sunday’s final two races. The Ladies Open team came 122nd out of 128 boats that finished.
‘The Men’s Open team came 112th out of 130 boats.” Brue has since been shipped back to Burnham and we are always looking for new members, please contact [email protected] for more information.
RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea
A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mike Lang, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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