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Maps of Cornwall :
The Ordnance Survey publishes the Explorer series of maps which are
ideal for walkers. Scale 1 : 25 000 2.5 inches to 1 mile/ 4cm to 1km. Available in local bookshops or click on the links below to order online.
Those covering Cornwall:
Map of Isles of Scilly:
101 Isles of Scilly 
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Gig Racing in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
There are over 29 Gig Racing Clubs around Cornwall and the Isles of
Scilly. The Isles of Scilly
alone has 13 gigs.
The history of the Pilot Gig Clubs is from the days when vessels around
the coast of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly needed a pilot to help
them navigate their way through difficult waters to find safe harbour
or negotiate a safe passage. The gig, a rowing boat for six
oarsmen/women, would carry the pilot to the vessel. The pilot with his
knowledge of the local sea conditions would then board and assist the
vessel in its endeavours. The practice is believed to date from the
1700s.
Individual areas of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly would need more or
less gigs depending upon the hazardousness of their part of the
coastline. The Isles of Scilly, is especially notable for its
involvement with gigs because of its geographical situation with
numerous small islands and rocks clustered close to each other.
The profits of pilotage could be very high, particularly if the gigs
risked themselves in dangerous weather conditions to struggle to the
rescue of an out of control vessel. The value of the contract would be
negotiated after the stricken vessel was made safe.
The entrepreneurial spirit of the local pilots on the Isles of Scilly
was such that gigs from several of the islands would race against each
other to the vessel, with the winner receiving the pilotage contract.
The island of St Agnes alone had four pilots in residence.
The gigs used today by the many clubs who keep this tradition alive
around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are of the long variety,
designed for attaining a high speed but in former times, gigs would
have been built in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on how they
were going to be used, be it for speed or for their ability to handle a
large volume of cargo.
Today, throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly gig races are held
as sporting events with a calendar of regular fixtures during the year.
The clubs compete against each other in a number of competitions and
the World Gig Racing Championships are held on the Isles of Scilly
every year. The World Championship sees teams from across the globe
competing in addition to local gig teams.
There are gig racing teams of both men and women with many clubs
sporting both and while friendly competition is a part of the sport
with inter club events, gig rowing can also be enjoyed purely for its
leisure and recreational benefits as a great sport for getting you out
on the water around Cornwall's magnificent coastline and its beautiful
rivers.
Books:
Gig Racing
For more information about Gig Racing Clubs in
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
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