WPGC Selection Criteria


1. Club Invitations: A club can receive up to 3 invitations, based on how many eligible gigs it owns or has registered. For example, if a club has 1 gig, it can only get 1 invite, even if it qualifies for more.

2. Loaned Gigs: Any loaned or borrowed gigs must be approved by the WPGC.

3. Invitation Details:
  • An invitation is given to the club, not to a specific gig, except for the Isles of Scilly gigs, which are always invited.
  • Each invitation allows the club to enter 1 gig into any race.

4. Club Eligibility: To be eligible for an invitation, a club must have existed for at least 12 months before April 1st of the year of the event (e.g., to compete in May 2026, the club must be formed by April 1, 2025).

5. Automatic Invitations:
  • All CPGA member clubs automatically get 1 invitation. *
  • Private clubs may receive 1 invite, at the WPGC’s discretion. ** (Past invites do not guarantee future invites)
  • International clubs get 1 invite. **

6. Additional Invitations from Races:
  • The top 12 finishers in the Women’s Final each secure an additional invitation for their club. The top 12 finishers in the Open Finals will secure an additional invitation if their Women's crew has not done so for their club.
  • The top 3 finishing crews in the Vets and SuperVets races also get an additional invite for their club, if they have not received an additional invite via the open categories.
  • The winner of the Masters categories will receive an additional invite for their club, if they have not received an additional invite via the above mentioned categories.
  • The winner of the 25U categories will receive an additional invite which is conditional on that gig having at least one entry in the 25U category.

7. Additional Invitations if Space Allows:  If there is room, the WPGC may offer more invitations to clubs with the next best results in the Women’s and Open finals. Alternatively the WPGC may offer more invitations to clubs wishing to enter crews in the 25U category.

8. Special Invitations: The WPGC Committee can issue special invites to charity crews at their discretion.

9. Invitation Transfer: Invitations are not transferable. If a club declines an invite, it goes back to the WPGC to be reallocated.

10. Eligible Gigs:  Gigs must have a CPGA registration number or be built before 2005 to qualify.

* If you have been invited under CPGA membership status and your club’s membership status changes prior to the event, then you must notify the WPGC committee. In this case, you would need to fulfil the alternative entry criteria ( for clubs outside CPGA membership) as determined by the WPGC Committee.
** Before being considered for invitation to the World Pilot Gig Championships, all non-CPGA and international clubs must provide the following documents to the WPGC Committee. 
  • Valid Insurance Documents (current and in date)
  • Copy of Club Constitution
  • If the club is over 2 years old: a recent bank statement (dated prior to 1st April 2025). If the club is less than 2 years old: the opening bank statement
  • Evidence of registration with HMRC or the Charities Commission (where applicable)
  • Safeguarding and safety documentation
  • Details of the named safeguarding and safety officer/personnel
  • Evidence of ownership of, or a formal loan/lease agreement for, the Cornish Pilot Gig to be raced at the event
  • If the club is less than 2 years old: signed inaugural meeting minutes. If the club is over 2 years old: a set of minutes may be requested if further documentary evidence is required