BEMBRIDGE Harbour is to host a new festival this summer...with some great gigs in prospect.

The traditional sport of gig rowing is coming to Bembridge on June 20 and 21, with mainland crews expected to join Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club in the races.

Organisers Bembridge Harbour Authority, who are teaming up with the Yarmouth club to put on the event, said: "We are delighted to announce a new event in the harbour.

"Perfectly suited to Island communities, it’s one of Britain’s fastest growing water sports, appealing to all age groups and with several generations of a family often rowing together. "

The event will be a gathering of traditional, fixed seat rowing boats, such as gigs, galleys, skiffs etc, with fun Barbarian-style racing for mixed crews on Saturday and some more serious club racing on Sunday.

Races are informal and will be supported by Brading Haven Yacht Club.

Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club (YGRC) will be bringing their 34ft gig Sea Spirit, with a crew of seven including the cox, and the wonderful Rosemary, one of only five remaining 30ft, four-oar wooden Solent galleys, built in 1954 and originally owned and raced by Newport RC.

YGRC works in partnership with the West Wight Sports and Community Centre, where regular indoor rowing machine sessions are held over the winter months to train race crews for the forthcoming season, and with public sessions to encourage more to enjoy rowing on water.

A number of rowing clubs are making the journey over from the mainland to attend the event, which will include an opportunity on Saturday evening to mingle and chat about all things rowing, while enjoying local fare and the sounds of the Harmonix a capella choir and Island band, the Nuberryz.

The mainland clubs planning to attend include Langstone Pilot Gig Club, Langstone Cutters Rowing Club and the Southsea Shovellers; with firm interest from clubs in Eastney, Itchenor, Bridport, Sidmouth, Poole, Swanage, Exmouth and Weymouth.