Rowers from England have praised Bermuda’s hospitality and rowing community after competing at the International Gig Rowing Regatta on island last week.

More than 70 visiting rowers from the UK, including teams from Yealm, St Agnes, Weymouth, Bude, Dartmouth, Clevedon, Swanage, Boscastle & Crackington, Tamar River, West London and London Cornish will be heading home with happy memories of their stay and Simon Burke, a member of Bude Rowing Club, was part of the successful winning crew at the first event in Mangrove Bay.

“It’s our first time here and we’ve fitted in really well,” Burke said.

“We came over as a joint team of three men and three ladies and were split up into mens and ladies groups. We didn’t know what to expect from the first regatta but it was well organised, welcoming, they looked after us and we really enjoyed the racing.

“We won the first regatta, beating the Bermudian men, but I would put that down to the fact we are more used to rowing in rougher water. At Mangrove Bay, it was windy and the sea was quite choppy, and they did say they don’t train as much in that sort of water, whereas we get that all year round in Cornwall.”

The second regatta last Wednesday was cancelled because of the poor weather but the spirit among the rowing community remained strong.

“It was a shame to miss out on Wednesday because of the weather,” Burke said.

“That was supposed to be more of a fun row, but there is no such thing as fun when there is competition because you all want to do well, but the camaraderie has been really good.

“All the organisation, from all of the volunteers, it must have taken a lot of work and everybody has bent over backwards to help everyone. That’s not just rowing but if we wanted to do other things they have helped out with that as well.

“Between each event they have to relocate the boats and they allowed us to row from Spanish Point to St George’s as a crew with Bude men and women. It was nice to row together. They laid on coaches, picked us up. Everything has been really good, I can’t fault it.”

Teams from all over the south west of England will be returning home this week with happy tales of their time in Bermuda and Burke is convinced that the regatta will be oversubscribed when it is next held.

“Everyone we’ve met is going back with positive vibes about Bermuda,” Burke said.

“It’s limited in numbers but after this next time you will get a lot more people wanting to come. I know from our club that we’ve sent pictures back and they are all very jealous and there is a lot of interest in this regatta now. Everyone will go back with a positive view on what you’ve done here.”

Alex Amat was part of the winning female Bermuda crew and was thrilled to meet up with returning rowers and newcomers.

“It is super fun to meet rowers from all over,” Amat said.

“Gig rowing ties are lasting ones and this was my fourth international regatta, so the buzz is still there. It was fun to train with a local crew and be able to measure ourselves with our overseas crews and also fun to get a chance to see my rower friends who are returners.

“We do not get a chance to go row in the UK very often so it is special when they come to visit.”