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Author: Andy Squirell

Cornish Gog Winter Series 2025 in Cornwall

Andy Squirell
Cornish Gog Winter Series 2025 in Cornwall @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
Highfield Patrol 600

1. A Quieter November on the Water

After another great race season supporting powerboats, November sees a quieter approach to race support.

It is more relaxed, focusing on Cornish Pilot Gigs.

Bude Gig Club is organizing a 3rd winter series.

It made sense to invite the Highfield Patrol 600 again. It performed well in the first 2 years.

2. Clubs Gather for the Winter League

Clubs from as far away as Derby attended the first of this year’s winter league.

They joined 11 other clubs at Roadford Reservoir. It turned out to be the only dry day of the week!

They started early. This ensured a simple setup as they were on site when the sun rose.

This gave some great images and views across the lake. It promised a good day ahead.

3. Highfield Patrol 600: Three Roles, One Boat

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OCRDA Race Weekend Highfield Patrol 600 Stand-by

Andy Squirell
Ocrda Race Weekend @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat

OCRDA Race Primary Rescue Team

What a weekend afloat that turned out to be!

We headed off to Torquay for the final round of the OCRDA powerboat racing with a very sketchy forecast and three fleets of jet bikes, pro cats and OCR boat (website).

The Plan: A Media Boat Becomes a Rescue Unit

The Highfield Patrol 600 (see specs below) was originally planned to be a media boat with two for the country’s finest aquatic photographers on board, Anthony from Iceman Images and Will from Snap.

Soon, however with the conditions it was apparent that the Patrol 600 would be use das primary rescue boat with the paramedic aboard and they picture boys shipped off to another willing host!

The rear locker was soon filled with emergency medical equipment alongside the spare clothing and emergency kit and a long board stowed alongside the console.

It was held in place buy a couple of fenders.

Fully Equipped for Safety

The rear locker also has a shower unit within which takes up quite a bit of the space.

It may well be removed for next season as the locker is carrying more and more equipment at events.

Wind, Waves, and Jet Skis

The forecast wasn’t wrong and the promised F 4-5 wind arrived just in time to start the jet ski races, at least it stayed dry!

There are some great images below from the afloat photographers with skis aiming for the sky.

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The Great River Race 2025 on the Thames

Andy Squirell

Time lapse of the 2025 Great River Race.- shows the scale of the event

Have You Ever Heard of the Great River Race

No, nor had I until I was invited to attend as part of the safety fleet.

In effect The Great River Race is London’s River Marathon. It’s a spectacular boat race covering 21.6 miles from Millwall in the East to Richmond in the West.

The rules for this River Race are simple. There are fixed seats. Dragon boats are not allowed because they like to sink.

The rules are based on the Watermen principle. Each vessel must carry a passenger and a cox. It also needs a 3’ x 2’ flag.

The event started in 1988 with 61 local boats. It has now grown into a major international event.

Competitors from America, Australia, and many European countries are taking part.

It is the largest rowing race in the UK when you consider the number of people on the water at the same time.

This is where the RIBs come into play.

To keep this many rowers safe takes a herculean effort by the RIB community.

Northern Exposure Rescue work with the Port of London to assemble no less than 35 safety boats.

This is the largest grouping of RIBs in England. It beats the Annual Pasty Run into 2nd place.

Only the Easdale Rendezvous tops it as far as meet-ups go across the British isles.

(The story continues below the gallery. Click to enlarge the photo.

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