Fighting spirit was on show Cornish style at the Pendennis Rowing Regatta, held at Durgan on Sunday.

Pendennis Rowing Club, although low on membership this year, hosted a successful Cornish Rowing Association event, with seven clubs from all over Cornwall racing in traditional 15ft Skiffs and 18 foot Flash boats.

The dominant club on the day was Saltash. Entering strong crews they had successes in the under 14 and under 16 races, as well as the senior events. Growing in strength at every regatta are the rowers from Calstock who triumphed at Durgan in the ladies four-oar.

Both Polperro, and Trelawney, who race from Stithians reservoir, also produced impressive talent through the day finishing in the top three for most of the 17 races of the regatta.

The host club, Pendennis who are based in the Falmouth area are looking to recruit more senior and junior rowers, and train out of Mylor harbour on a Wednesday evening and Saturday morning.

Racing flash boats and skiffs under the Cornish Rowing Association (CRA) has been some what overshadowed in recent years by the increasing popularity of Cornish Pilot Gig racing, but the membership of these CRA clubs remains strong and determined to carry on this traditional form of racing.

Unlike the larger heavier Cornish Pilot Gigs, being raced by six rowers with a coxswain, flash boats and skiffs are much smaller and lighter, and can be rowed by one, two, three or four rowers, and are therefore more suitable for young members particularly the under 16s wishing to learn to row. By encouraging junior rowing, each Club is looking to continue the tradition of Cornish rowing. The Pendennis regatta was the first Flushing and Mylor have attended with their under 14 and under 16 junior rowers putting on an impressive determined performance.

In the under 14 Cornish Ran Dan race Fraser, eight, Issac, nine, and Vito, ten, smiled as they crossed the line having thoroughly enjoyed their first race together.

If you are interested in taking part in traditional Cornish rowing of Flash boats and Skiffs and wish to find out which Club is nearest to you, contact the Cornish Rowing Association’s secretary on (01326) 314621.