As a founding member of the Harker’s Yard Gig Association (HYGA), we enjoy regular friendly competition with rival clubs dotted around the Essex coast, who together make up the fleet of over 20 identical Harker’s Yard Gigs, built by the Pioneer Sailing Trust in Brightlingsea (Defiance is No. 12).
As well as various regattas and longer races throughout the year, including the Great River Race on the River Thames, the ‘main event’ for many is the Harker’s Yard Winter Series held annually from October to March. Visiting the home waters of all HYGA clubs, races are either in open water with a mass start of up to 18 gigs, or time trials along our rivers and estuaries.
Racing is exhilarating, exhausting and extremely addictive. The Corsairs have built a strong racing pedigree, improving year on year, and finishing runners up in the 2022/23 Winter Series.
Via regular training rows throughout the year, we provide the opportunity to row for fitness, improve technique and develop our racing skills, which all helps to build and maintain the Corsairs team spirit!
Again, no prior experience is needed, and many a Corsair has gone from landlubber to competitive gig rower in a matter of weeks and months! We’ll introduce everything, and support you all the way, so why not give it a go?
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