WITH the end of the racing season approaching Madoc Yacht Club Rowers Porthmadog managed to turn four boats out for the Castle to Castle Challenge Race hosted by the Royal Welsh Yacht Club, Caernarfon, writes Jerry Gilbertson.

This annual event attracted over 20 boats and starts at the historic town of Beaumaris on Ynys Môn down the Menai Strait to finish at the Barbican off Caernarfon Castle, covering a challenging distance of around 12 miles.

With rain and an early start MYC Rowers arrived at Beaumaris and once boats were unloaded, assisted other clubs with their craft onto the beach waiting for the tide to rise. Following a good breakfast organised at Beaumaris Yacht Club and the Cox’s briefing it was off to the start line for a 1030hrs start.

MYC Porthmadog entered three Celtic Longboats, ‘Fleetwing’, ‘Madog’ and ‘Glaslyn’ and the newly purchased coxed quad scull ‘Dwryd’ for her first competitive row.

As the hooter went off all our boats had a good start for the 1st leg towards Bangor Pier.

The skill of the cox in our boats is paramount with their ability to read the water and find the best line, looking for the fast flowing incoming tide channel and avoiding back eddies. This makes a huge difference to the crew who are pushing hard to row consistently throughout the race.

Leading the charge for MYC in the early stages was the Men’s Supervets crew in Glaslyn with cox Caroline Wilson, stroke Fezz Parker, Ian Williamson, Jerry Gilbertson and Alistair Hemphill in bow.

They were soon overtaken by their Ladies Supervets. in Fleetwing with Ceinwen Stokes as cox, Ruth Taylor, Wendy Grainge, ladies captain Lisa Steele and Leslie Thomas-Pugh.

The men in Glaslyn, remained in the midfield for the remainder of the race. There were races between rival boats all up and down the course with advantages being gained by concerted efforts and skilful rowing and coxing.

Bringing up the rear of the race after a later start time the sculling boats overtook many of the Celtic Longboats during the race.

Slightly further back in the field but involved in their own battles was MYC’s third Celtic, Madog, she was crewed by Lizzie Wyn, an experienced sailor as cox, Allanah Fenwick, Clare Oates, Debbie Hughes and Lynda Roberts.

The race is long and arduous but this year the wind and tide favoured us all and some quick times were on the board. It is safe to say though that as Caernarfon Marina comes into sight it is reassuring to know that the effort is nearly done.

The overall winner of the race this year was MYC’s scull, Dwyryd, crewed by Mike James, MYC Rowing chair as cox, Harry Richie (Rex Rowing Club) Andrew Parsonage (Rex) Sonia Parsonage (Rex) and Bob Chamberlain (MYC). They completed the course in 1hr.25 mins. 8 seconds.

The first Celtic boat home was ‘Clychau’ with the Men’s Senior team from Aberdyfi, who continued their dominance this season. They completed the course in 1hr.32mins 8 seconds.

With regards MYC Celtics, the Supervet ladies were 1st ladies boat home and winners of their class in a time of 1hr.36mins. 24 seconds, next boat was Glaslyn with the Men’s Supervets. in a time of 1hr.37mins.48 seconds

Finally, our ladies Senior Team in Madog with a time of 1hr.39mins.29 seconds, a brilliant performance for this crew who won their class after a good battle with ‘Afon’ from Aberdyfi overtaking them near Y Felinheli and beating them across the line.

Once all boats were loaded onto the trailers the rowers gathered in the Clubhouse of the Royal Welsh Yacht Club at Caernarfon Castle, where hot food, crusty bread and cakes were gladly consumed to warm up the soaking wet crews, along with the usual liquid refreshments!

MYC thanked Rowers of the Royal Welsh (Caernarfon) for organising and hosting the race, Beaumaris Rowing Club for assisting with catering, safety and hosting the start of the race and to everyone involved who as always made it a brilliant, challenging and inclusive day.

If you are interested in rowing or joining in, please make contact with MYC Porthmadog on [email protected] or have a look at Madog-rowing.co.uk.