StormFest 160

Name: Join Torbay RNLI for StormFest 160
Start: 2026-08-22T06:00
End: 2026-08-22T22:00

Saturday 22 August 6am to 10pm

Join us for StormFest, a family-friendly event to commemorate the 1866 Great Storm rescue and celebrate the foundation of Torbay RNLI. Don’t miss the flotilla of gig boats and lifeboats, delicious street food and live music!

160 years ago, a furious storm hit Torbay. In just one night, around 60 ships were wrecked and over 70 sailors drowned, destroying much of the town’s fishing fleet. This terrible tragedy led to the foundation of Torbay RNLI later that year.

During the gale, local women ran to their houses and dragged their belongings – furniture, bedding, clothing – to Brixham Harbour and built a huge bonfire at the edge of the breakwater to guide boats to safety. The closest lifeboat was in Teignmouth, and was hauled 10 miles to help reach survivors. You can watch our crew recreate the journey from Teignmouth, through Torquay to Brixham during the event with a gig boat, specially wrapped in the colours of an 1866 lifeboat.

Painting style image of women rowing an open lifeboat.

This image was created with the assistance of AI.

Where to join us throughout the day*

6am–7.30am: The gig boat leaves Teignmouth Lifeboat Station

Location: Teignmouth Lifeboat Station, Lifeboat Lane, Teignmouth, TQ14 8BW

We’ll begin in Teignmouth, early on Saturday morning. A gig rowing boat, wrapped to look like an old-fashioned lifeboat, will be pulled by an all-female team of RNLI crew members and crew members’ partners, dressed in 1866 costume, from Teignmouth Lifeboat Station through Teignmouth.
08.30am–11.00am: Gig pull through locations in Torquay

Locations: Babbacombe, Meadfoot and Torquay Harbour

The team will travel to Torquay where they will pull the boat through Babbacombe and Meadfoot before a final pull around Torquay Harbour, starting at around 10.30am.
11.15am: Gig launch at Torquay Harbour

Location: Torquay Harbour, TQ1 2BB

After launching from Torquay Harbour, volunteer crew from Torbay RNLI and members of Brixham Gig Club will row the gig boat the 4 miles across the bay to Brixham Harbour. They’ll be accompanied by a flotilla of gig boats and the Torbay, Teignmouth and other South Devon lifeboats, and sailing alongside any sailing boats and trawlers already in the bay.

Food and drink stalls will serve refreshments at Torquay Harbour.
1.15pm–1.45pm: Thanksgiving service

Location: Man and Boy statue, Old Coastguard House, Kings Quay, TQ5 9TH

After the boats’ arrival in Brixham’s inner harbour, a special Service of Thanksgiving will be officiated by Helen Lovell-Smith of the Fishermen’s Mission at Brixham’s Man and Boy statue.
11am–10pm: Brixham

Location: Old Coastguard House, Kings Quay, TQ5 9TH

As the gig boats begin their row across the bay to Brixham, Torbay RNLI’s legendary street food and live music festival will get underway, continuing through the afternoon and into the evening at King’s Quay, Brixham. Following the Thanksgiving service, there will be food stalls, entertainment for children, a raffle, and a licensed bar to enjoy, along with live music.