DARTMOUTH threw a big boat party last Saturday, April 12, inviting hardy Devonian Gig rowers to try their luck racing on a sparkling river and encouraging them to have a great time off it.

These athletes responded with enthusiasm, crowding a vibrant waterfront with friends and family, creating a wonderful Esplanade atmosphere.

This event required resources from an entire community to guarantee success. Firstly, a friendly yacht club to provide facilities and a place to hold a prize giving as well as a location for Dart to sell home baking to hungry participants. Secondly an “other” rowing club, who sit on sliding seats as opposed to rough wooden benches of gigs, to lend a vital safety boat and skilful driver.

In addition, and most crucially, a Harbour Authority which could patiently liaise with race organisers to ensure no untoward encounters between rowers and ferries as Dart River was particularly crowded - more clubs joined this 2025 regatta than ever before.

Indeed, crews travelled from all corners of Devon, names of Rame, Appledore, Cattewater and Yealm as well as some usual local ones of Brixham, Paignton and Salcombe could be seen painted on a colourful raft of sleek purposeful boats rafted against the quay in late Spring sunshine waiting their turn to race.

Racing kicked off early, at 9.30, as a packed schedule had to be completed. This included all age groups from “Tyro” Juniors to “Coelacanth Class” of living fossils “Masters” aged over 60. Dart U14s hit the water for an opening race of great excitement bringing home a bronze medal against fearsome opponents Yealm aboard “ Joker” and far traveling Appledore on “Whitford.”

A mixed race followed then it was time for a much anticipated “head to head” marquee event: the under 16s. Five boats lined up on an outrushing tide but only two of them were ever in contention, Mighty Dart v Yealm Dolphins.

home team rowed a smooth power-laden 1000m race but Yealm dipped for a nail-biting finish to gain victory. In a post-race interview, a young Dartmothian rower pointedly remarked on the presence of two “Meathead” boys aboard “Joker,” truly here is a rivalry to watch.

Through a grueling day as vast quantities of home baking on sale in the yacht club subsided the number of hard fought contests racked up. In most categories, Salcombe and Appledore were dominant, with Dart picking up some hard fought third places.

Their Ladies Masters bucked this trend with a silver medal, but it wasn't until men’s “B” that the Maroon Machine topped an imaginary podium by winning gold, bringing Lightning across the line with “Teignspirit” and the light blue “Wolf” eating dust in their wake.

Dart open supervets were hoping to avenge their second place to Teign from a week before but in dramatic scenes, reminiscent of Salamis, at the first buoy they were knocked back down to fourth- for them revenge now must be achieved at the Scillies.

The Masters closed this Regatta out with a strong performance, Dart finished a memorable 2025 event with third overall which given a massive social and organisational success they must be happy with.

As the visiting Gigs were towed home up College Way, all thoughts of the weary participants now turn westward to that numinous archipelago- the Isles of Scilly.