RIVER Teign and Paignton took a big squads to Salcombe for their annual gig regatta.

The rowers were rewarded with warm sunshine and a slight breeze to make water conditions ideal for the afternoon's busy programme.

In the Men's B race for Teign, in 'Double Dutch', were Bob Higgs, Paul McMurray, Kevin Mason, Nigel Evans Simon Hounsell, Rupert Holliday and cox, Rachel Holgate.

In 'Teign Spirit' for Teign were Ian Donahue, Mike Izzard, Simon Putt, Rich Wickenden, Jake Laxton, John Holgate and cox, Kate Barczok.

The start sequence at this regatta is a challenge for coxswains as it varies from that at other venues and is strictly applied, but the flooding tide made keeping behind the line not too difficult.

Both Teign crews got away well, although the fleet was bunched up, trying to keep out of the tide and some clashes of oars were inevitable.

But strong rowing from the Teign crews saw them finish second and third.

Paignton's crew of Paul Tucker, Shaun Pedley, Mark Palk, Tim Porosa, Alex Pedley, Simon Pedley and cox, Jeff Wills, set afloat in 'Top Catch'.

With thirteen gigs on the line it was a struggle to find a space, but the crew were off to a good start in the middle of the estuary.

Unfortunately, on approaching Black Stone Rock it was like hitting a brick wall with the flooding tide, and most of the gigs on the inside, out of the tide, were soon ahead with Paignton dropping down into tenth before a strong finish saw them take fifth position.

In the Ladies B race, Teign again had two gigs racing – Felicity Rawlings, Jane Avery, Rachel Holgate, Catherine Lovell, Jo Haydon, Cindy John and cox, Paul Walton in Double Dutch and Kerrie Potter, Anne Holliday, Kate Barczok, Sharon Sanger, Sue Thulborn, Julie Hill and cox, John Lintell, in Teign Spirit.

Double Dutch got a flying start and quickly established a slight lead, with a strong and positive style they stretched this out through the race and by the homeward leg had put a considerable distance between them and the following gig. Teign Spirit was that following gig, having had a great race and tidy turns to put them clearly ahead of their rivals. Teign crossed the line in first and second places – a pattern which was to be repeated through the afternoon.

Paignton's crew of Sarah Tingle, Helen Burns, Grace Panter, Kath Dodd, Gill Hill, Trista Tinsley and cox, Nick Burns, got off to a good start. On the run to the first buoy Paignton were neck and neck with Weymouth and Dart, but on the buoy Paignton had the water and pulled slightly ahead. On all of the turns Paignton had the water over Dart who were constantly battling alongside Paignton. On the home run it was a close battle between Dart and Paignton, with Paignton pipping Dart at the post to come in a commendable fifth position.

There were so many ladies crews attending the regatta that a separate Ladies C race was run.

Julie Cranwell, Anne Holliday, Grace Pimlott, Jane Avery, Lisa Pash, Suzannah Cranwell and cox John Holgate took to the water in Double Dutch for Teign.

Again, Teign's crew worked well together and with the tide strengthening, canny coxswaining gained them an advantage.

By the first mark they had established a lead, which they held to the finish line and crossed as clear winners.

Paignton's crew of Julia Nelson-Smith, Ana de la Fuente, Denise Stickley, Queenie Martin, Alyson Whitehead, Tracie Marshall and cox, A Pedley, got off to a good start and settled at the back of the pack until the final buoy. On the home run Paignton pulled past Salcombe to take a good two boat length lead over them crossing the finish line a good fourth position.

The Men's A race had two Teign crews on the water again. Kevin Mason, Paul Free, Dave Schiller, Nigel Evans, Paul Walton, Pinger Netherton and cox, Kate Barczok, were in Double Dutch and Graham Hill, Rich Wickenden, Simon Putt, Simon Hounsell, Jake Laxton, Rupert Holliday and cox, Rachel Holgate, took Teign Spirit.

Strong work and tidy turns from both crews saw them emerge from the third mark in first and second place and that's how they finished.

Paignton's crew, sponsored by Adams Gas, of Tony Bateman, Shaun Pedley, Mark Palk, Jeff Wills, Alex Pedley, Nick Burns and cox, Simon Pedley, were fourth.

Teign had one crew in the Ladies A race with Kerrie Potter, Kelly Inness, Lucy Barczok, Sarah Free, Ali Bland, Kate Barczok and cox, Paul Walton, rowing Double Dutch.

Once again Teign dominated the race, taking the lead soon after the start despite a clash of oars.

They stretched their lead throughout the race and finished well ahead of the rest of the fleet.

Paignton Ladies A crew, sponsored by Woodvale Challenge Ocean Rowing, of Amy Plowman, Ana de la Fuente, Gill Knight, Helen French, Morna O'Halloran, Tracey Western and cox, A Pedley, finished sixth.

Two Teign crews lined up for the Men's Veteran race; Graham Hill, Paul Free, Kevin Mason, Simon Hounsell, Paul Walton, Dave Sciller and cox Rachel Holgate in Double Dutch and Bob Higgs, Paul McMurray, John Lintell, Mike Izzard, John Holgate, Nigel Evans and cox Lisa Pash in Teign Spirit rowing the super-veterans course with a combined rowing age of 332!

Strong rowing and a positive, confident style from both crews saw them take the advantage. Teign Spirit pipped Double Dutch by half a length but both raised their oars as class winners.

The Men's Vets race had 11 gigs on the line, including Paignton's crew - sponsored by Sure Lock Alarms - of Tony Bateman, Dave Morralley from Dart Gig Club, Paul Tucker, Nick Burns, Jeff Wills, Simon Pedley coxed by A Pedley. They finished fifth.

Teign had one entry in the Lady Veterans race - Felicity Rawlings, Anne Holliday, Rachel Holgate, Catherine Lovell, Lisa Pash, Julie Hill and cox, Kate Barczok, took Double Dutch to the start line - and they were convincing winners.

Paignton's Ladies Vets were Alyson Whitehead, Helen Burns, Gill Knight, Amy Plowman, Sarah Tingle, Tracey Western and cox, A Pedley, in the line up of nine gigs.

Paignton pulled into second position on the run to the first buoy but being challenged around the buoys by both Dart and Salcombe.

Paignton managed to maintain their position and rowed well to cross the line in a commendable second place.

ROUND two of the three regatta 2009 Tribute series was hosted by Mevagissey Gig Club at Pentewan Sands varying commitment from the South Devon Clubs.

The Men's A started the proceedings and Paignton's A crew, sponsored by Adams Gas, of Tony Bateman, Shaun Pedley, Mark Palk, Jeff Wills, Alex Pedley, Nick Burns and cox, Lee Marshall, set afloat in 'Top Catch'.

On the run to the first buoy they were in eighth position, but pulled through to hit the first buoy turn in second place.

On the second leg, 'Penarrow' from Flushing & Mylor pulled past but Paignton rowed hard to establish a boat length lead on the gigs behind and kept their position to the finish line for third place and twelfth overall. Dart Men's A were 29th overall.

A quick change-over and the Paignton Men's B crew of Paul Tucker, Lee Marshall, Ade Jones, Pete Scoble, Tim Colliver, Robin Barr and cox, Jeff Wills, were on the water for Paignton.

After a slow start Paignton pulled away into clear water and on the first buoy turn had established fourth position. They held fourth place to the end for 20th overall.

In the Ladies A race, Paignton's crew, sponsored by Woodvale Challenge Ocean Rowing, was Charlie Martin, Ana de la Fuente, Amy Plowman, Helen French, Morna O'Halloran, Tracey Western and cox, Alex Pedley.

After a tough battle with rival gigs, Paignton crossed the finish line in seventh position and 17th overall.

Teign's Kerrie Potter, Kelly Inness, Lucy Barczok, Cindy John, Ali Bland, Kate Barczok and cox, Andy Forte, had an excellent race in the club's newest gig, Morgan.

They finished in sixth place, setting them up well for a good seeding at the County Championships event at the end of the season. Dart were 21st overall.

Paignton Ladies B crew of Sarah Tingle, Kath Dodd, Gill Knight, Helen Burns, Grace Panter, Trista Tinsley and cox, Nick Burns, were off to a good start in their race and on the run to the first buoy were in the middle of the pack.

They rowed well and pulled past a couple of crews to cross the finish line in a well deserved fifth position and 17th overall.

Dart were 11th in the Men's C race and the Dart Ladies C were disqualified.

The Veterans race saw Paignton's Ladies Vets crew of Alyson Whitehead, Helen Burns, Gill Knight, Amy Plowman, Sarah Tingle, Tracey Western and cox, A Pedley, going afloat.

The ladies had a good start and stayed with the front of the pack. On the buoy turns there were a few tussles and they were pushed out losing ground. Paignton crossed the finish line in a good fourth place out of the seven ladies crews.

The final race of the day was the mixed with Paignton's Charlie Martin, Shaun Pedley, Mark Palk, Helen French, Alex Pedley, Ana de la Fuente and cox, Amy Plowman, going afloat in 'Top Catch'.

With eleven gigs on the line Paignton had a good start and were in the pack alongside 'Zeus' from Calstock with three gigs up ahead. Zeus had the water on the first buoy, but pulling through and sitting on their stern, Paignton took Zeus on the final buoy to finish in an excellent fourth place.