Gig rowers ready to take on world championships
Portreath Pilot Gig ClubThousands of rowers are descending on the Isles of Scilly for the 35th annual World Pilot Gig Championships.
Rowers mainly from Cornwall but also across the UK, Netherlands and United States have been training for months to row for their chance to become world champions.
More than 480 crews of six rowers and a cox are registered to compete in the spectacular event that begins on Friday and continues until Sunday.
Adele Green is cox for four Falmouth crews and said: "The lads and girls at the top end are training like professional athletes, they're training so, so hard."
'Hoping to win this year'
Falmouth Pilot Gig Club has high hopes with club captain Jordan Smith saying it has "a proud heritage of doing well at this championships".
Having come second to Looe for the last two years, Falmouth's Mens A crew is hoping to go one better.
Men's captain, Billy Jane, said: "We are a competitive club. It would be weird to train as hard as we do if we didn't have aims.
"We've come second the last two years in two really close finals, so we're hoping to win this year."
Truro River Rowing ClubTruro River Rowing Club's Ladies A crew secured a fourth position last year and has been training throughout the winter.
Crew member Jasmine Bone said: "We've been really trying to manage our fatigue. We're on the water four times a week, in the gym the rest of the time."
Categories include the Vets for rowers aged over 40, and Super Vets for those over 50.
Helen Pearce is a member of Truro's Super Vets A crew which set a new record at the British Indoor Rowing Championships in December and described the training schedule as "daunting".
She said: "There will be crews going out at 07:00, in the winter, in the dark, in messy conditions, you've got to get the time on the water."
Portreath Pilot Gig ClubAlongside the crews aiming for the top spots, there are many first-timers rowing at the championships with less ambitious targets.
Marie Brown is part of Portreath Pilot Gig Club and heading to the islands for the first time, having started the sport last year on a beginner's course.
She said: "I just love it because it's been really nice as an adult to learn a new skill, I just feel really fit and strong.
"I don't really know what to expect but it will be really nice to see how our training has come together, and just be a part of something bigger."
