Governor George Fergusson and other local celebrities took to the water at the weekend as part of the Pilot Gig Rowing Regatta.

The event, organised by the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club and the Bermuda Diabetes Association, featured three races, headlined by a “celebrity” race.

Governor Fergusson, joined by MP Suzann Roberts-Holshouser and others, was able to eke out a victory in the race, beating out a gig crewed by Deputy Governor Ginny Ferson and a third entry which featured MP Lovitta Foggo and St George’s Town Crier David Frith.

After the event, the Governor said: “The races were good fun. The return of gig racing is an excellent thing.

“It is picking up on a genuine Bermuda tradition that brings together the whole community, and it is good, accessible exercise in gorgeous surroundings.

“They have plans to expand it to the central area and the west, which I hope work out.

“Saturday’s regatta was, very appropriately, part of Diabetes Awareness Month and the wider campaign to encourage everyone to take a bit more exercise for the sake of their health.

“So it was all good — and my crew beat the Deputy Governor’s crew, which made it even better.”

A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club said they intend to make the celebrity race an annual event to be known as the Governor’s regatta.

Meanwhile the other races of the day drew attention for other reasons. The first — a super vets race — featured only crew over the age of 50, while the finale featured crews preparing to compete in gig races internationally “The event was well attended and a resounding success,” the spokeswoman said. “People commented on how bringing pilot gigs to Bermuda has rekindled our maritime history.

“It is a sport for everyone. One of the racing participants was 75 years old.”