Rowers from the United States, Britain and the Netherlands are to descend on the island for an international gig racing festival this month.

The Bermuda Invitational Gig Regatta is the latest feather in the cap for the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club, which has seen an explosion of interest since it began promoting the sport as a proud reminder of the island’s heritage a year ago.

Following the introduction of three 32ft pilot gigs to East End Mini Yacht Club last July, gig racing has spread to Sandys Boat Club and Spanish Point Boat Club, with 150 members across the island. Participants have held Cup Match contests and even competed internationally at events including the Gloucester Harbour Race in Britain last month, and the World Pilot Gig Championships at the Isles of Scilly in May.

Now, about 80 seasoned overseas rowers will visit the island for six days from Sunday, October 23, for a “friendly but fierce” series of races around the island.

Rick Spurling, president of the St David’s Island Historical Society which helped bring gig racing to Bermuda, told The Royal Gazette: “It’s grown beyond all our expectations. This gig regatta is something we had planned for some time, but a lot of people thought it’s too early and we would never know how to do it.”

Mr Spurling said much of the sport’s success comes from its heritage that goes back centuries, when gigs were rowed long distances to help bring ships into the island.

“A lot of people have families that used to row gigs in St George’s, St David’s and Somerset,” he said. “It’s a thrill to go out there and row pilot gigs and feel the thrill of what their predecessors did.

“There are people now, interested in researching more about pilot gigs, putting together albums. It’s stimulated a lot of interest in history.”

Mr Spurling also pointed to health and social benefits, saying: “A lot of people don’t have the opportunity to go out on boats.

“This is a great way to travel around the island. These boats don’t go too quickly, so you can see turtles and birds, you are getting some exercise and you are enjoying the water.

“It’s really nice seeing St David’s and St George’s from the water. You can see so much from a different vantage point than the land.”

The regatta will include a race from Mangrove Bay on Sunday, October 23; from Spanish Point Boat Club on Wednesday, October 26; and from St George’s Harbour on Saturday, October 29.

Pat Phillip-Fairn, chief product and experiences development officer for the Bermuda Tourism Authority, which is backing the event, said in a statement: “As the sun sets on summer, we ramp up to Bermuda’s peak season for sport and adventure activities.

“The first ever Bermuda Invitational Gig Regatta is an excellent fit into that strategy. The Bermuda Tourism Authority is proud to support the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club as it attracts visitors from the United States and Britain for a unique visitor experience that will touch the east, west and central parts of the island.”

For more information, e-mail info@bermudapilotgigclub.com