4th June 2011 - 12th Looe Lugger Regatta.

Organised by the Cornish Lugger Association the Looe Lugger Regatta is a bi-annual event and attracts several traditional fishing luggers for a weekend of celebration and racing.

An early start on West Looe Quay as the crews prepare their luggers for the days racing.

The luggers wait for high tide to turn before setting out into Looe bay.

The masthead of Charmain of Poole.

Beer luggers.

This is the view from East Looe fish market across the river towards West Looe Quay.

On East Looe seafront a display of traditional lobster pot making.

To prevent the willow branches drying out they are kept under any available shade.

The crew of La Cancalaise prepare for a days racing.

Shortly after 8.30 the first lugger Victorious passes the Banjo Pier and sails out into Looe bay.

FY519 IBIS does not have an engine, so the crew use the sculls to guide the lugger down river.

My vantage point is on the Banjo Pier opposite White Rock as FY28 passes.

Next to leave is the French bisquine CAN87 La Cancalaise.

R159 Maret is the committee boat.

The mounts bay lugger FY 59 Reliance.

Next is the second of our French visitors the Gourock based Rose of Argyll, closely followed by PZ595 Girl Sybil.

The Mounts bay lugger associations's Happy Return

FH 233 Guide Me

PD393 Ocean Pearl

FY238 Frances

The St Ives lugger SS634 Barnabus.

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FY357 I.R.I.S.

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FY7 Our Daddy

SS19 Ripple

Spinaway X, a Polperro gaffer built by Peter Ferris in 1896, once described as "The fastest piece of wood in Polperro".

George Glasson

FY20 the yellow hulled Vilona May

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Paul Greenwood's Erin.

PZ111 Veracity.

The Old Looe lifeboat Ryder

The smaller luggers

All images © Ian Foster / fozimage