A new watersport is taking to the sea off Tenby.

The resort's Surflink Club, based at the South Beach, is going from strength to strength and is expanding their range of activities in the form of rowing.

Surflink was formed in 1997 when two longstanding clubs, Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club and Tenby Windsurfing Club, merged to provide training, promote watersports and make water activities accessible to local people of all ages and backgrounds.

With this in mind, the club are now trying to add yet another pastime and attraction to the town with the introduction of longboat rowing.

"We are at present in negotiation with Sportlot and hope to acquire our own rowing boats," explained Surflink's rowing co-ordinator, Nigel Merrony.

"With the help of local businesses and organisations, it is hoped we can revive those very successful days of the '70s and '80s when Tenby rowers reigned supreme in the form of the Basscatchers and Lifeboatmen," he continued.

Already this year, the club has been loaned two team rowing boats, which have been refurbished and made seaworthy with the help of a hard-working team of volunteers.

Training started in mid-June and rowing proved so popular that the boats have been used constantly throughout the summer.

"Our enthusiastic rowers would now like to participate in the Celtic Longboat League, which takes place at various locations around the West Wales coast," Nigel pointed out.

"Each event has men's, ladies, plus mixed and junior races, and with 20 to 25 teams taking part, they attract a lot of spectator interest," he said.

"There is a strong possibility that during next summer, Celtic longboat racing will be revived in Tenby and the round Caldey Island race will return, giving the area yet another summer attraction.

"There are also plans to form Super Sprint evening races to take place across the Tenby North Bay during July and August.

"The West Wales Celtic Longboat League is expected to expand its fleet to 30 boats by spring 2002. What a spectacle it would make for both visitors and locals alike to see next year's predicted West Wales league fleet of 30 longboats racing out of Tenby Harbour," he opined.

To enable them to take part in the longboat league, Surflink need to purchase three Celtic longboats.

The cost of each boat is £6,500 complete and Sportlot have agreed to help, if the club can raise £1,500 per boat.

"Other West Wales clubs have raised their money by sponsorship from local businesses and we are hoping that firms in our area will support us," said Nigel.

Various sponsorship packages are available and anyone who would like further information and is interested in taking up rowing or sponsoring a longboat is asked to contact Nigel on either of the following numbers, (01834) 845376 or 07773773671.