The new London Cornish Pilot Gig Club (LCPGC) has successfully launched its first gig, Fury on the Thames.

More than 60 guests attended the launching ceremony including representatives from the Cornish Pilot Gig Association and Sport England, which provided a £10,000 grant to help LCPGC purchase the gig and other equipment.

Patrick Bird, the son of Ralph Bird who built Fury for Falmouth Gig Club in 1992, lives in London and as Rowing Captain of the LCPGC, he was one of the rowers to take Fury on her maiden voyage on the Thames.

“I don’t think my dad would ever have thought that Cornish pilot gig rowing would get as far as the Thames, but I’m sure he’d be delighted,” commented Patrick Bird. “It’s a beautiful thing to see a Cornish gig being rowed through the capital.”

Chair of the LCPGC, Dominic Burnett, who is originally from Frogpool, added: “The launch was a real success with a good time had and a number of people registering an interest in joining. One and all are welcome. It’s great to be bringing a slice of Cornish life to London.”

The launch venue was the Ahoy Centre in Deptford which is within sight of maritime Greenwich and the Cutty Sark, and overlooks the iconic skyline of Canary Wharf. In 1497, a Cornish rebellion was put down at Deptford Bridge so the location has historic significance. It was fitting that guests sang Trelawney as Fury was being launched.

Initiated by the capital’s vibrant ‘expat’ Cornish community, the LCPGC aims to encourage Londoners to try out the sport of gig rowing, which attracts a range of

ages. Cornish pilot gigs are traditional sea-going rowing boats that are wide and stable with fixed, rather than sliding, seats.

According to the Cornish Pilot Gig Association, the sport is relatively unusual as more females than males take part in gig rowing on a regular basis. It is now the fastest-growing rowing sport in the country with in excess of 8,000 rowers.

Fury will be based at the London Regatta Centre in east London where there is currently more demand for rowing than opportunities according to British Rowing. More than one hundred and fifty people have already expressed an interest in joining the club.

Fury raced for the first time with her new club on the Thames in the Great River Race on 3 September.

The club is now fundraising for a second gig to be based on the Thames in west London.

The London Cornish Pilot Gig Club can be found online at www.londoncornishpilotgigclub.org.uk and contacted there or at lcpgclub@gmail.com