The gigs started arriving on Monday for the gig championships, which will happen over the May Day bank holiday weekend.

Three new clubs will compete: Bude, Clovelly and Swanage. Nine new gigs to the championships: Amelia Lee (Caradon), Leah ‘C? (Clovelly), Dell Lewyer (CRAB), Waterwitch (Charlestown), Lantic (Fowey), Kensa (Mount’s Bay), Penlee Point (Rame), Cadmus (Salcombe) and Old Harry (Swanage).

RNAS Culdrose will not be attending this year because they are activly involved with the effort over in Iraq.

This year there are more ladies crews registered to take part than men’s crews - which is a turn-around.

The veterans’ event at the beginning of the championships seems more popular this year, with 35 crews entering.

The season in the Islands begins on Friday with the first domestic race of the season.

82 gigs are registered to join the championships: with 74 mens crews and 78 ladies crews.

Gig shirts will start being sold next week (after the Easter weekend), sweatshirts will be sold from Monday 29 April.

The USA have not informed the gig committee that they are coming this year.

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