The World Pilot Gig Championships take place in the Isles of Scilly, in the south west of the UK.

A pilot gig is a six-oared rowing boat, built of Cornish narrow leaf elm, just under 10m in length, dating back to the 17th century. Originally, gig teams would race out to ships coming in from the Atlantic to drop off their pilot to guide the large vessels into port. The first gig to the boat would get the job, and the payment. Over the years, the Championships have attracted teams from all over the world. The event features race categories for men, women, veterans (age 40+) and super veterans (age 50+). Many also attend the event for the parties, with a strong tradition of drinking, fancy dress and singing sea shanties. Many spectators turned out for the event during warm weather in the early heats of the races. I also visited Andrew Hicks of 'Scillonian Boat Building and Repairs', who is pictured with a length of elm timber that he uses to make gig boats in his workshop on Porthaloo beach on St Mary's island.

Photographed in April-May 2022 for Reuters. Many thanks to the Cornish Pilot Gig Association.