The first Pembrokeshire Dragon Boat Challenge took place at Milford Docks on Saturday.
The event, organised in association with Pembrokeshire Fish Week, saw six teams of sixteen paddlers fight it out to be crowned the first Pembrokeshire Dragon Boat Champions.
The first race saw the Jay-Griffith Consulting red team against the Yellow Perils from Saundersfoot Sailing Club, with the Consultants steaming through for their first win of the day.
Round one winners included Buzinet Solutions/Sir Project and Dale Rowing Club overcoming the Youth Offenders.
In round two, the times improved with the incoming tide and saw the two Jay-Griffith Consulting teams up against each other. Dale Rowing Club and Buzinet Solutions were improving race by race with the Jay-Griffith blue, Youth Offenders and Yellow Perils were trying in vain to get it together.
In the all important round three, the Yellow Perils made an excellent time but several seconds too slow to be in the finals.
The finals saw an even stronger tide and a strong wind blowing the two boats down the course.
Adrenaline and determination were the order of the day with the consistent Jay-Griffith red team against the improving Buzinet Solutions team.
After a great deal of leering at each other and the helms trying to cope with the strong gusts the race started with the sounds of 'Hawaii Five O' from the PA system.
With the boats nearing the finish line by the mackerel stage, both boats were neck and neck and all crew members not putting a paddle wrong.
With the crowd shouting encouragement for both teams the Jay-Griffith Red Team managed to edge forward by a dragons whisper to win the race and the title.
Results: 1. Jay-Griffith Consulting Red; 2. Buzinet Solutions; 3. The Yellow Perils (Saundersfoot Sailing Club)
The event was a great success and it is hoped that over £200 has been raised for the RNLI.
Thanks go to all the teams that supported the event and to E-Volvement, West Wales Windsurfing, Milford Docks Co., and The Charthouse who all donated prizes for the raffle. Special thanks to Rosemarie Griffith for her tremendous support and to ARKAPA for allowing us to use their photos.
Next year it is hoped to recruit more teams to take part in this fast and furious watersport.