BOATS took to the water competitively for the first time in 2015 as the Helford Mini Scillies Championship opened the gig rowing season.

Teams from across the county travelled down Helford Passage on Saturday to get their preparations for the World Championships in May under way.

During the regatta, six races were held with the Ladies’ Veterans setting off first at 11am before the Mens’ Vets set off an hour later.

In the first race, Newquay claimed a victory onboard Spy ahead of Falmouth’s crew in Governor.

The latter’s men jumped one place higher than their females in the next event as they stormed home to a win in the Mens’ Vets race ahead of Flushing & Mylor, pictured below.

Falmouth Packet:

It was the ladies turn next to tackle the 1.8 mile course and there was an exciting finish to the race with Roseland just holding off Newquay over the last few hundred metres.

Falmouth grabbed their second win of the day when the men went out on the water, picking up a one-two in the process.

When the ladies went out to race their final over the slightly shorter distance of 1.3 miles, once again Roseland and Newquay battled it out right up to the line with the former edging the contest.

However, a false start was called on their boat meaning victory went to Newquay.

The only difference in the mens’ final came in the form of Falmouth’s crews swapping places, with the team in Black Rock nipping ahead of their colleagues onboard Governor.

Falmouth Packet:

Crews swap around between races on the beach. Picture: LUCAS CROYDON/CARTEL