The club was formed by Julie Saville, a passionate gig rower and hard-working professional was dedicated to helping individuals with special needs in the community.  In 2022 she personally funded a Gig boat and founded ‘Penzance & Newlyn Pilot Gig Club’ (PNPGC) with the aim of making gig rowing accessible to the local community regardless of age, gender or ability.
Known for her love of dressing up as a Pirate at any opportunity, Julie had already decided on the name for her boat ‘Morladron Varthys’ Cornish for Amazing Pirates. And so began the theme that the club would now become renowned for.  All were made welcome, whether to purely row socially to improve fitness and their mental state, or to train to compete. Dressing up as a Pirate was actively encouraged.
The club grew quickly, and Julie being determined to give everyone an opportunity to row and she ran three rows, learn to row/social/crew training, twice a week in her spare time.  
Her aim was to keep politics out of rowing and be nice to your fellow crew, setting the club motto of ‘be nice or walk the plank’.  
She was an inspirational woman who led from the front, both for our amazing club and her highly successful professional career in Cornwall Council Child Care Services. 
Tragically, Julie died suddenly following knee surgery, which has devastated her family, her friends, PNPGC members, the gig rowing community, her professional colleagues and everyone who knew her. 
As a club, after her death PNPGC Committee are now fundraising to keep Julie’s legacy alive as well as growing from strength to strength, to be a welcoming gig club for all and to make her ultimate dream in a reality by buying on loan a Gig boat with name her ‘Myghternes an Morladron’ Queen of the Pirates in memory of Julie. This was recently blessed in Penzance harbour where the Mayor of Penzance said some kind words. Unfortunately, the original gig and equipment was involved in family probate, hence a reason to fundraise by grants and local fundraising events as well as seeking donations from Companies and individuals. We are now also a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) The Club continues to grow from its humble beginnings after the death of our founder, with most members rowing on a weekly basis. The ethos of the Club is to be friendly and welcoming, and to ensure that anyone who wishes to row – whether socially or competitively and whatever their standard can do so. We also wish to incorporate a youth team which means purchasing a lighter gig and equipment through fundraising