From its humble beginnings in 1990 with 11 wooden pilot gigs taking part, the line-up now runs to around 130 boats of both men and women’s crews. In fact the first races (from St Agnes to St Mary’s) on the Saturday involve all the gigs, with a start line over a mile long.
The fun starts on the evening of Friday 3rd May with the veterans and super-veterans’ races. On Saturday, the main men's and ladies' races begin, with a spectacular first race involving all 130+ gigs. Saturday afternoon and Sunday see the heats and, on Sunday afternoon, the finals. Monday 6th May rounds off the event with a rugby match and a traditional gig sailing race.
The World Pilot Gig Championships is a genuinely unique event and one any fan of the islands should experience.
Tresco Boats will be operating a full boating schedule to St Mary's throughout the weekend. From St Mary's, spectators can either watch the race from the shoreline or jump on one of the spectators boats.
For full boating information please see the Tresco Boats page (please note: full schedule information will only be available the day before the event)
If you're not on Tresco over the Gig Championship weekend, fear not!
Throughout the summer our inter-island gig races take place, with women racing every Wednesday night and men every Friday night.
Tresco Boats regularly follow the races - details will be posted on their website and boat boards across the island.
There is something spectacular - in the truest sense of the word - about a Gig Race, and to hop aboard a spectator boat and witness a race up close must count as one of the Scillonian holiday must-do experiences.
Take a look at our Gig Racing page for full details.
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