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Home > Gig Rowing > The history of our gig 'Nerthek'
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Home > Gig Rowing > The history of our gig 'Nerthek'

The history of our gig 'Nerthek'

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'Nerthek' (which means Energetic in Cornish) is a 32 ft wooden gig built by legendary Ralph Bird in 1991 for Porthleven Gig Club. Commissioned by Porthleven, she was originally called Energetic (in English) and dedicated to the memory of the five brothers who lost their lives when their fishing boat 'Energetic' sank off the coast after a collision with a freighter on 25th June 1948. After completing her 18th World Championships in the Scilliy Isles in 2019 the club reluctantly decided to retire her and commission a new 'Energetic'.

Meanwhile, in the late summer of 2019, MRSC had started some gig sessions after a very kind offer of the loan of a fibreglass training gig by Commander Perry of RN Whale Island. This had come about because Matt Walton, Bosun of Langston Pilot Gig Club had approached us to ask if we could help them with some space in the Black Shed over the winter to refurbish one of their boats and we had been only too happy to help a local club out. It goes to show that one good turn, brings another!

The autumn sessions had proved vey popular with MRSC Members, coached by Matt and coxes from LPGC, enjoying the camaraderie of working as a team and the perfect rowing environment of Chichester Harbour. But, by January our loan period was coming to an end and without a boat that would be it. Until we found Nerthek for sale.

With a successful grant application from Havant Borough Council, supported by Hayling Councillor Lance Quantrill, we secured the funds and on 14th March, we were delighted to welcome Nerthek to her new home, and in less than 24 hours, to introduce her to the waters of Chichester Harbour. Thank you @Porthleven gig club for passing her over to us. We will take good care of her and hope to see you on the start line at some point. A big thank you also to @Langstone Pilot Gig Club for helping us with trainers over the past few months you guys are amazing. And of an even bigger thank you to Commander Perry RN for loaning us a gig in the first place. Welcome to your new home Nerthek!

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