THE CORNISH CHALLENGER #6

Race start in Tenrife

Los Gigantes, Tenerife in background at race start.

Louis Hunkin and Michael Elliot in Tenerife

     Louis (27) and Michael (33) are both boat builders from Cornwall. They are also experienced "Cornish Gig rowers" (What is a Cornish gig rower?  Sorry, I'm in California and I grew up on a farm in Iowa; if you don't ask, how do you learn...) Louis is also a former member of the Fowey Lifeboat. Any further information or press clips; we'd love to honour their efforts by posting them. Please send them to (webmaster@oceanrowing.com).

(My question,"What is a Cornish gig rower?" See below... and thanks to Rob Searle for photo and explanation.)

Date sent: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 11:46:03 +0000
To: webmaster@oceanrowing.com
From: Rob Searle <rob.searle@mcmail.com>
Subject: Cornish Gig Rowing


     Cornish Gig rowing follows a great traditional way of life here in the
county of Cornwall, they were used to ferry pilots out to sailing ships in
early 1800s. Also used for saving lives and smuggling, they had to be fast
to outrun the customs men, a good crew can reach speeds of around 8 knots.
About 30 gigs around the coast are now used for racing as a sport. They are
32 feet long and made from long grain cornish elm, rowed by a crew of 6
plus a coxswain. The attached photo shows the gig Rival from Fowey being
rowed in the 1990 World championships in the Isles of Scilly, in which by
the way rowed a crew from America, I believe from New England. Hope this is
of some use to you.
                Regards RJ Searle.