Nine rowers from Burnham-On-Sea’s pilot gig rowing club have undertaken their longest rowing challenge yet by heading to Bristol this week.
They joined Clevedon Gig Club on their annual ‘Long Row Home’ from Bristol harbour to Clevedon Pier – a total distance of just under 16 miles.
Simon Eastham, Gig Captain, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We launched ‘Jayne Campbell’ at Bristol Marina and joined the three Clevedon crews in their boats ‘Finzel’, Layde Bay’ and ‘Churngold’ in the Cumberland Basin.”
“Just before 11 o’clock we rafted up in the lock ready to enter into the River Avon. The gates were opened, the sun came out, and off we set. We quickly got into our rhythm and soon were passing under the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge – one of those ‘bucket list’ moments.”
“After an hour of rowing we made a brief stop at Pill before passing under our second bridge of the day – the Avon Bridge carrying the M5 high above our heads.”
“A brief pause to talk to the port authorities at Avonmouth and get permission to leave the Avon and join the Bristol Channel, and our flotilla of four gigs sets off on the last stage of our journey.”
“The out-going tide gives us a welcome boost as we pass Portbury and head into Portishead for a final ‘comfort break’. The weather is clear and bright as we travel the last few miles down the coast and soon see the famous Clevedon Pier in the distance.”
“We all round the pier just after two o’clock and see our friends and families waving from the slipway. It was a fantastic day all round – great fun, great company, and a great many blisters!”
