On a sunny Saturday, April 4, a total of 34 teams from across Wales competed in the Cleddau Race organised by Neyland Rowing Club. The race began on the Cleddau at Picton Fields and finished at Neyland Yacht Club, a distance of just over 13 miles.
With teams starting the race just 30 seconds apart, a busy start saw the yoles away first, followed by the Celtic longboats. Fine navigation skills were needed in the upper reaches of the river as teams navigated the narrow span of the railway bridge and then the twisting curves of the river bank. Whilst the Cleddau opened out past Llangwm and Lawrenny, it was in the later stages that crew tiredness began to take its toll.
First boat home, in a time of just one hour 34 minutes 27 seconds, was the Aberystwyth mixed yole sculled by Jasmine Sharp and Andy Cox. Not far behind was the single yole of Sam Hawking, City of Swansea Rowing Club, in a time of one hour 35 minutes and 42 seconds. The team from Tenby Surflink, Chris Terry and Mike Ashbridge, finished the course in one hour 39 minutes and 37 seconds.
Fastest longboat was the men's team from Llanion Warriors in one hour 39 minutes 51 seconds and fastest ladies' team was Charlies Angels in one hour 46 minutes and 57 seconds. The mixed 'Broke Backs' team from Llangwm won their category in one hour 41 minutes 44 seconds.
The first league race of the year is on Saturday, May 3, at Newport, Pembrokeshire - go along and enjoy the spectacle!