The sea down the Scillies' quite big
It likes to climb into your gig
It comes over your head
And runs down your left leg
After soaking your bits. What a pig!

                                                                                                        by Su Lewis

•  Check Times - This is paramount

•  Most people get the ferry (Scillonian) across from Penzance on the Friday either at 0630hrs or noon (see Carol Craft or noticeboard for details).  they come back on the Monday ferry at about 0930 or 1700hrs.  Some make it a holiday and go for longer

•  Most travel down early Friday morning, but some stay in a B&B on Thursday night.  The journey to Penzance takes about 3hrs and 30mins - so it could be a 0200am start

•  People get up in groups to travel together.  Do ask around and look on the noticeboard for lift sharing

•  Ferry tickets have to be bought through the CPGA i.e. through Carol by the end of January.  Some people prefer to go by helicopter and arrange their own transport

•  Most people go camping, but unfortunatley this has to be booked up in November and arranged through the club, but it is worth asking Carol Craft if there are any spare places because folk some times cancel.  She can also ask around other clubs if there are spare tickets

•  Each club is given an area where they all camp together (even if you get a ticket from another club), so you will not be alone

•  If you want B&B or self catering accommodation you generally have to book up a matter of months, or even a year, in advance.  It is worth trying the scillies website

•  Check with your lift that all your kit will fit in the car

•  Hand luggage Only on the boat

•  Rest of kit i.e tents, kit bags etc will be left on the quayside to be put in large containers.  You will be given labels

•  Wherever you are staying on the island, your luggage will be delivered.  It may cost a £1 if you are not camping

•  On Monday (There is NO escape at all on sundays) your luggage will be collected and you pick it up in Penzance

•  During the event we take our days needs with us because it is a good half hour stroll up to the campsite and you need a torch for the walk back

•  Will not need too many.  You will be in kit all day and folk do not dress up in the evenings much.  Jeans is the norm

•  Championship T Shirts, Sweatshirts, caps etc on sale near the green on Friday and Saturday.  Only in one shop

•  Other shops sell Isles of scilly kit, much of which also has a gig rowing theme.  Nice stuff but expensive

•  Remember it is still often quite cold and wet at this time of year and there is not a lot of shelter unless you go in to a pub

•  All day in the Tunnel on the Green where all the boats are, and where people hang out in their club groups.  Very good value basic choice but cheap and healthy stuff (pasta/salad/fruit etc + Mars Bars) and always available from breakfast to early evening

•  Cafes in the main street.  Couple of excellent pastry shops

•  The Co-op caters for self caterers really well.  they keep stocked up and do not raise their prices just because we are a captive audience

•  The Scillonian bar next to the Green does really good basic food all evening cheap.  I've been known to have Shepherds Pie three nights running.... and they make a mean chilli

•  Friday from 1800 - Veterans races, Ladies and men
  • From St Agnes to St Marys if conditions are ok
  • 20-30 minute race but it takes up to 45 mins to get to the start line.  Took ladies B 90 mins one year

•  Saturday from 12 noon.  If you are picked for a crew you will be involved in 2 races.  either 2 mens or 2 ladies (depends which you are) No A or B Categories, just Men or Ladies
  • One race from St Agnes to St Marys approx 20-30mins depending on conditions and ability.  Can be 100 gigs or more in the line up.  This seeds crews in to 12s into groups A, B, C, D etc
  • A couple of hours later all the gigs will go to the start line off Nut Rock to wait to be sent off in 12s.  this race is approx 10 mins.  First 2 in each race will go up to the next group i.e from D to c etc) and the last 2 will go down a group

•  Sunday from about 10am.  You will have 2 more races, both from nut Rock as saturday (above).  All gigs go to the start line and hang around (do not drink to much beforehand or take an empty bottle to wee in)
  • The first race gives you another chance to go further up the ratings again (or down)
  • The second race is, in effect, the final World championship race.  Bottom groups set off first and the winners of each group get a cup.  When Group A finishes, the winners are World Champs
  • 1800 Prize giving
  • 2300 BBQ arranged on a local beach if you are still sober enough to go

•  It is still fun to support.  Go around to the harbour where you got off the Scillonian and hop on to one of the vessels which follow the racing.  Approx £1.  Dress warmly though.  I went on one straight from a race last year and really froze.  There is no escape once on.  Good chance to scream your crews on

•  Help is needed on the beach throughout the day.  Getting the boat and oars, seats etc ready.  Greeting exhausted rowersback and encouraging them before they go.  It makes a HUGE difference to rowers to ahve that support.  It also takes all of us to get the gig on and off the trailers and onto/off the beach

•  Get down to the Freen on Saturday.am anyway.  There are often crews who are looking for rowers or coxns. and there is a list in tunnel where you can put your name down offering your services.  Several of us have made up sctrach crews over the years (even Caradon rowers) and it is great fun.  A good experience, and no real pressure 

•  As always we Weymouthians make our own.  There is usually a sing a long in the Scillonian once everybody has eaten and limbered up

•  Several other pubs to visit it is only one street so does not take long to explore

•  Total oblivion and drunkenness not encouraged if you are racing the next day, and positivley discouraged if you expect to keep representing the club

•  Sunday night you can relax and get as drunk as you like.  there is usually a barbeque at about 2300 on a nearby beach - posters will be everywhere

•  Professional photographers and the Press generally follow most of the races.  Look out in the local newsagents on the island  for really up to date photos and articals in the Sunday Cornishman

•  Monday morning find the small photographer up a side street (ask an old hand) before you get your ferry.  He has scrapbooks of photos, and aims to have at least one shot of every crew, and often several.  You order them and pay, and they get delivered to the Club in a couple of weeks, usually via Caz