Membership
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Membership Fees for 2025 - 2026
Membership runs from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.
Adult Rowers
Adult Rower: £100 per year
Country members
Country Rower (16+, non-regular rowing, living outside East Devon) £50 per year
Student Members
Student in full time education (16+): £50 per year
Social Members
(18+): £25 per year Please use this form to apply for social membership.
Please use this form to apply for social membership.
Membership Contact
If you would like to join us please drop an email to the Membership secretary at: newmembers@sidmouthgigclub.co.uk
Documents to View or Download
Three useful documents:
Induction - the diagram of a gig
Terminology - controlling the boat and its rowers
Basics - the A - Z of gig boats
New to rowing?
We have an Induction Policy which introduces new members to our club.
Our Induction Policy has six main features:
Identifying personal points of contact for you
Arranging for you to view the boats and equipment
Providing a full safety briefing
Giving you ‘start-up’ coaching about the sport on land
Allowing you a maximum of two ‘taster’ rowing sessions at sea under the guidance of experienced members and according to your ability.
Covering you for activities under our specialist marine insurance once enrolled.
You can download the policy document from this webpage.
FAQ
Q: When can I join?
A: new members can join all year round.
Q: Do I have to be fit?
A: Not particularly. The club includes members of all abilities, from those wishing to row socially to those looking to compete at a high standard.
Q: Must I be able to swim?
A: Yes, you do need to be able to swim.
Q: Will I get wet and cold?
A: As we launch from the beach at Sidmouth you're likely to get wet up to the knees getting in and out. If you're wearing suitable clothes you're unlikely to be cold when you're rowing. It can get cool on the beach if you're waiting to row, so best to bring a wind-proof jacket.
Q: Is it safe?
A: Yes. We take great care to ensure that we only row in safe conditions, and we carry a walkie-talkie for contact with the beach. Nationally, accidents with gig boats are very rare.
Q: Do I have to take part in races?
A: You can choose. The clubs caters for members of all abilities. About two thirds of the clubs members attend races throughout the season while others are pleasure rowers.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Typically we wear old trainers or neoprene boots, sports shorts or leggings and two layers on top. If it's cold some wear a woolly hat or cap, and thin rowing gloves.
What else do we do?
We are a notably social group with activities on and off the water. We row on Sunday mornings around the year, and on Wednesdays and Fridays from April to October.
When the weather or sea state prevents rowing we use our ERGO rowing machines to keep us fit and improve our technique, We also have planned ERGO sessions throughout the year for racing teams and for general keep fit.
Clubs along the Devon coast invite us to come to their regattas which are for serious racing along with warm friendship. We do likewise.
We generally take part in the Gig Rowing World Championship held in the Scilly Isles, an amazing event, and we all come home with a world ranking!
Once or twice a year we arrange a trip to row along the coast to Beer or Budleigh Salterton for Sunday morning breakfast.
Every Friday evening of the summer months, we have a Friday Night Supper in the Watersports Hub, for food prepared by groups of members. The Hub has a licensed bar and a well equipped kitchen, and is a great way to get to know members and friends.
We have alternating Christmas and Burns Night events.
On Solstice Day we row out at 4 a.m. to see the sun rise.
There are also Quiz Nights and Shanty Singing.
Each year we go 'on tour' where a large group take one or two boats to explore other lakes, lochs and estuaries suitable for gig boats. Destinations have included the Lake District, Milford Haven, South Hams, Cork harbour, the Clyde and Loch Ness.
During Folk Week we run a café and bar to raise money for the club, and we've raise a large amount make the Hub more accessible.
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