Up, or back, both, can cox if you want. Mix up (jump in their boat). I’m easy

Yes please.

Me and Nic are keen to attend

Yes Please

Yes please for me and Jay

Yes please for me and Jay – I’m happy to trainee cox on the saunter back

Yes please imavailable

A long one I’m afraid if you want my feedback based to my dealings… But in a nutshell, A club membership where those who wish to race to pay an additional amount – a leveled membership; Bronze (Standard recreational/social), Silver (+League Racing), Gold (Gold giving all racing inc. Scillies). If the ship has to be steered, we need to be able to annually elect the holders of the compass at the CPGA to ensure they keep going in the right direction.

The CPGA could really make a success of going alone – or better by joining forces with other fixed seat disciplines in building the fixed-seat ‘Row Safe’ development and guidance… if done right, not as a closed shop, doesn’t let politics get in the way, and are innovative – the CPGA and fixed-seat coastal disciplines could become very big, with a good amount of money to be had, and more attractive to sponsors. In my opinion, British Rowing could easily be shooting themselves in the foot by neglecting the fixed-seat world as they failed to grasp the demographic and opportunities (normally due to Olympian’s and egos leading things). I am due to have a meeting with the CEO of British Rowing to interview him – which includes a question on the CPGA’s proposals… he’s being rather hesitant (BR don’t like being held accountable or justifying their actions).

If my experience and dealings with the CPGA and GigRower are to decide this; in my opinion, it will be a closed shop – where Gig Rowing will be the small corner of England – the South West that keeps itself to itself with politics driven by geographic location (Devon versus Cornwall). Joining forces with other coastal fixed-seat disciplines will make them stronger and completely blow any chance of Sliding-Seat Coastal Sculling getting all the limelight and grip in this country. There’s a reason why in only 11 years a new form of fixed-seat rowing – St Ayle’s Skiff has exploded (bigger than Gig!), yet for 20 years coastal sculling only recently getting over-hyped attention, whilst Gig has been slowly growing to a point in the background though massively popular than Coastal Sculling here in the UK. The proposals and vision from the CPGA seem to be more driven about money struggles than opening themselves up to development and opportunities in the wider community. I hope I’m proven wrong.

A classic example of CPGA/Gig Rower being a closed shop = the Five Miles from Home virtual challenge; Welsh Sea Rowing, Ocean To City (Ireland), Castle to Crane (Scotland) Fixed-seat coastal community wanted to get the largest English contingency (Gig) to join (presumably a virtual Isle of Scilly). The aim of this Covid event was to bring together the fixed-seat community, however, apparently, the Gig wasn’t interested. I was told this by one of the main organisers. I believe Langstone was happy to do something as the English part so we had some representation but by this time it was too late. Also, I was told by the CPGA/Gig Rower to please not publish anything about their proposals in a recent issue of The Wave Rowing. I did however feature a piece about the Jurassic Gig Rowing League.

So, if the current people trying to steer this boat are the same people… then The Wave – The Coastal & Offshore Rowing Magazine might actually start to be your saving grace in putting pressure on them in justifying their actions, just like it has behind the scenes with British Rowing! 🙂

If you ever want to question the CPGA or Gig Rower – even if a hard-hitting question without making it look bad upon the club or individual, let me know as I can do it anonymously through The Wave Rowing at rowing@thewaverowing.com