The Bursledon takeaway from the 2025 ‘Cockleshell Challenge’
At this year’s ‘Cockleshell Challenge’ race run by the Eastney Cruising Association, the Bursledon once again showed its value as a highly competitive gig.
This race covers some 8 miles from Langstone Harbour entrance, and takes in the old Horse Sands Solent fort; the average race time is approximately 1 hr 40 mins.
This year there were 28 boats:
- 11 Cornish Pilot gigs
- 7 Celtics and Solent Galleys
- 10 Bursledons
Obviously the larger boats are raced with their fixed compliment of crew and cox whereas, very interestingly, although the majority of the Bursledons had 5 crew (4 rowers + cox) it was a 4 crewed boat (Kelpie, 3 rowers + cox) that was the fastest, with 4th position on handicap (8th on ET); the next fastest was a 5 crewed boat (Crazy Daisy), which came in 9th on handicap (14th on ET). But right in the thick of it was the Bursledon ‘Freedom’ with just 2 rowers and without a cox, which came in 12th on handicap and also outran a third of the whole fleet by finishing 17th on straight elapsed time.
The video clips show Freedom with just 2 crew, Kelpie with 4 and Crazy Daisy with 5.
These race statistics once again prove the huge advantage of the class as a club gig. Exceptionally competitive, wide flexibility on crew size; and because of its size, light weight, ease of use and relatively low cost it also appeals to those rowers interested in private ownership.
Bursledon Gig Association 