The Gig Rowers are coming! The Bermuda International Gig Regatta aka BIG for short!
BPGC's Bermuda International Gig (BIG) Regatta is a vibrant, friendly competition that brings together crews from across the UK, US, Bermuda, and beyond to row in our stunning turquoise waters.
Held every two years, this biennial event is a major highlight on our club calendar, offering exciting racing, unforgettable camaraderie, and the chance to experience Bermuda’s unique maritime spirit.
As a volunteer-run club, hosting the BIG Regatta is a significant undertaking. We pour our hearts into creating a memorable experience for all visiting teams and local rowers alike. From harbour sprints to kite-courses and plenty of coastal rowing and social events in between, the BIG Regatta blends sport, community, and island hospitality.
Looking to Participate? Registration for the BIG Regatta is open to visiting crews, and we warmly welcome expressions of interest from gig clubs around the world. As this is a volunteer-run event with limited capacity, places are confirmed by email once event details are announced. Based on pre-registrations and our manageable capacity, places are offered on a first-come, first-considered basis. Participation is only confirmed once the event fees have been received.
We encourage interested crews to pre-register, as space is limited and demand can be high. Our team will review all applications to ensure a fair and manageable event for everyone involved.
More info below!
- Event Timeline & General Details
- Thank you to our Sponsors!
- Watch our BIG Regatta short film
- Planning Your Visit
- A Little Background
General Timeline & Event Details:
Non-BIG Years... i.e.) 10+ months in advance of the BIG event
- Jan-Aug: Join the pre-registration mailing list for the coming year
- Oct-Dec: Event details confirmed and announced
Year of...
- Jan-March: Event & registration details circulated to pre-registration list
- April-May: Registration deadline
- June-Aug: Food tickets available for purchase and accommodation details needed
The BIG Event: October
- Welcome Reception: Saturday
- Pick up your event shirt, sign up for various social events, and meet other participating rowers. Light bites are provided.
- Racing Day 1: Sunday
- Men’s & ladies’ crews take to Bermuda's waters for a day of heat racing
- Racing Day 2: Mid-week
- We like to bring everyone together in a fun atmosphere of mixed co-ed crews, of local and visiting rowers, matched up for some friendly afternoon racing.
- Racing Day 3: Saturday
- The regatta finale has men’s & ladies’ crews return with the aim of leaving their fellow competition at the start line for another day of racing, followed by a Closing Party & Awards Presentation that evening.
Costs & Registration
We know that travelling to Bermuda is a significant commitment, and we truly appreciate every crew that makes the journey to join us. While Bermuda is known for being on the pricier side, we do our best to keep event costs as low as possible while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
- Event registration is typically between $90–$100 USD per participant. This fee helps cover key logistics, including safety boats, emergency services, insurance, and transport on race days. This fee is the same for visiting and local participants; there is no cost for spectators.
- Optional food tickets will be available for all three days. Pricing and menus will be shared closer to the event. These are available for participants and spectators to purchase in advance. No meal tickets can be purchased at the event.
All cost details and payment links will be sent to those on our pre-registration list, so be sure to sign up!
Our event is made possible by some very special event sponsors.
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors: Bermuda Tourism Authority, Axis, Chubb, Paragon Brokers, Sticks and Stones, Bermuda Sports Lab, and Butterfield & Vallis, with added support from Belco.
If you are interested in supporting this community sporting event in the future, don't hesitate to get in touch with us!
Watch the BIG Regatta in Action (2022)
Planning Your Visit
We’re thrilled to welcome visiting crews to Bermuda and will share as much helpful information as we can, but please note that teams are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and transport on non-racing days.
We’re a fully volunteer-run club (with full-time jobs!), so while we can’t coordinate every detail, we’re happy to offer guidance where possible.
Here are a few tips to help with planning:
- Accommodation:
- We recommend booking early, as Bermuda’s options can fill up quickly.
- Aim to stay within walking distance of a major bus route—this will help us coordinate race-day pickups more efficiently, based on your accommodation location.
- View the Bermuda Public Bus Routes HERE
- Transport:
- Local public transport is cost-effective and reliable. However, paper tickets/passes must be purchased in Hamilton and no change is given onboard, so plan ahead.
- For digital tickets/passes and real-time bus tracking, the Bermuda Shoreline App is handy - if you have mobile data. We recommend you consider an eSIM plan for convenience (and connectivity while out and about).
- Event Updates:
- All regatta updates, including registration fees, food tickets, and schedules, will be sent to our pre-registration mailing list.
- Make sure at least one team representative signs up to stay in the loop!
If you have any questions or would like local advice, don’t hesitate to reach out; we’re happy to help where we can!
About BPGC & the BIG Regatta
Our little island gig club aims to host an International Gig Regatta every other year. The 3-day event offers spirited competition and high-energy pilot gig racing around Bermuda at BPGC’s various rowing locations.
Rowers are invited to participate, and spectators can catch the action from land or sea to cheer on local and visiting crews at our gorgeous locations!
This event, which was started in 2016, just one year after the local club was formed, aims to test our rowing skills and to welcome visiting rowers to our local waters. The club is always excited to welcome back many returning rowers as well as newcomers eager to experience what Bermuda has to offer.
The competition always proves to be friendly but fierce, with 2 days of all-male and all-female crews racing in staggered heats and 1 day of co-ed crews getting to know each other in mixed matches.
Gig rowing is a growing, community-driven sport with passionate clubs across the UK, Europe, and the US; Bermuda is proudly part of that international network. Since forming in 2015, the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club has grown to include close to 100 members and nine pilot gig boats, with regular rowing taking place at East, Central, and West locations across the island. Gig rowing has deep roots in Bermuda’s maritime history and culture - it is a wonderful way to enjoy our natural beauty, while getting fit and participating in a tradition that has found new life in a sporting and social environment.