British Rowing and the Cornish Pilot Gig Association (CPGA) joined forces in 2006 to assist the development of the sport. The CPGA is one of a number of organisations under the umbrella of the West Regional Rowing Council, which supports over 8000 rowers belonging to several organisations.
Originating in the county of Cornwall, gigs were first used to transport pilots out to sailing ships hundreds of years ago. Modern day gig racing, however, has been described on numerous occasions as the fastest growing sport in the south west, with 55 clubs in existence today. The sport is governed by the CPGA, a voluntary-run body which was created in 1986.

The CPGA strives to preserve the traditional values of the sport, ensuring that each new gig is built to strict specifications - based on the ‘Treffry’ which was built in 1838 by William Peters of St. Mawes. The modern gig is a speedy craft, built from narrow leaf (ideally) Cornish Elm - 32-feet-long and four-feet-10-inches wide.
The gig racing season runs from late spring through until the end of September. Although there are several regattas held beforehand, the biggest event of the year is the World Championships, held on the Isles of Scilly.

This event is the most popular in the racing calendar, with a huge entry of 100 boats or more. Each club holds their own regatta throughout the main racing season, with three of these being ‘tribute championships’, with categories for A, B and Under 16s crews. There are also separate ‘county’ championships for men, women, Under 14s and Under 16s crews. Competition at events is fierce, with increasingly high standards each year leading to smaller winning margins. Many clubs, such as Newquay Rowing Club, still run races within their own clubs, keeping long standing traditions alive.
British Rowing is working with the CPGA to  support the development of Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing. A summary of recent developments can be found here