World Pilot Gig Championships

From its humble beginnings in 1990 with 11 wooden pilot gigs taking part, the line-up now runs to around 130 boats of both men's and women’s crews. On Saturday, the first races (from St Agnes to St Mary’s) involve all the gigs, with a start line over a mile long!

The event takes place on the first bank holiday weekend in May, with the 2024 event from Friday, 3rd May to Monday, 5th May 2024.

The fun starts on Friday evening with the veterans and super veterans races. The main men's and ladies' races begin on Saturday, with a spectacular first race involving all 130+ gigs. Saturday afternoon and Sunday, see the heats and, on Sunday afternoon, the finals. Monday rounds off the event with a rugby match and a traditional gig sailing race.

Tresco Boats operates a full boating schedule to St Mary's throughout the weekend. From St Mary's, spectators can watch the race from the shoreline or jump on one of the spectator boats.

For boating times, please see the weekly plan on the Tresco Boats page, and check for confirmed times the day before travel.

Staying on Tresco means you can witness the spectacle of the event before heading back to tranquil Tresco once the racing is over.

We have a range of accommodation, from bedrooms and apartments by the night to cottages by the week.

If you're not on Tresco over the Gig Championship weekend, fear not! Throughout the summer, our inter-island gig races take place, with women racing every Wednesday night and men every Friday.

Tresco Boats regularly follow the races - details will be posted on their website and boat boards across the island.

There is something spectacular - in the truest sense of the word - about a Gig Race, and to hop aboard a spectator boat and witness a race up close must count as one of the Scillonian holiday must-do experiences.