Four members of Wiseman's Bridge Rowing Club, Sandra Ayris, Julie Barratt, Glenn Freebury and Phil Thomas, joined forces with Llanion Rowing Club to take part in the Celtic Challenge 2008, an arduous row across the Irish Sea from Arklow to Aberystwyth over the bank holiday weekend. The whole team had been training since January putting the miles in the tank and were in good spirits after their final preparations, looking forward, albeit nervously, to a huge challenge Our support team on the yacht Moondust, skippered by Steve and Lynne Badham, set out early on Thursday, May 1, for Arklow. On board were Barry Kingston and Alison, and Carol (Lynne's sister) and Kim Watson. Without them, this whole adventure could never have taken place. They were magnificent in all they did to keep our spirits and energies at a maximum, as events turned out to be more than we had bargained for. The whole team wish to convey their heartfelt appreciation to each and every one for supporting us so well, assisting us in dangerous changeovers, crewing the yacht, looking after sea-sick rowers and providing cups of tea and wonderful eggy bread! The team set out very early on Friday morning, to cross on two separate ferry crossings. Dai Alderman and Rob Hayward (our transport and logistics team) accompanied by Lee Roberts and Darrell Willington (two Llanion rowers), left from Fishguard, while the rest of the rowers, Commodore Richard Jelley, Jorone Rogers, Robin Badham, Steve Phillips, Myra Alford and Maureen Osborne, along with the four Wiseman's Bridge rowers Sandra Ayris, Julie Barratt, Glenn Freebury and Phil Thomas, all boarded the ferry in Pembroke Dock. The team congregated at the Arklow HQ, a small B&B, which provided extremely well for all home comforts. The first day saw the team relaxing, with some golf at Arklow Golf Club, and the first night was spent in an all-important bonding session, where team tactics and crews were all set, in readiness for a possible Saturday start. Saturday saw the race postponed to Sunday with a poor weather forecast Sunday arrived and the whole team, fresh from a good night's sleep, raised themselves to the harbour, fully prepared for the challenge ahead. The forecast was not the best, but we were assured that the sea would settle down after a few hours and, with this news, the first crew were loaded and taken to the start line, in the middle of Arklow Bay, for a 2 pm start. Our initial target time was 18 hours, based on previous experience and reasonable sea conditions. We had approximately 95 miles to row. Everyone was pensive and tensions heightened as the flotilla made for the bay, as the crews realised that it would be a very rough start, rougher than expected. At 2 pm, the race started in tough conditions, a strong headwind and very rough sea, which would put more pressure on our crew and those to come later. At this point, we all knew this would be very arduous, but everyone was determined to complete the trip, especially as we had promised to raise monies for our two charities, Cry and Macmillan Cancer Support. We wore their t-shirts with pride during our whole crossing. The first team were soaked within minutes of the start; we all shouted encouragement as we could see they were finding the going hard. Each rowing crew (three fours) would rotate hourly, until we deemed it necessary to shorten these stints. These conditions tested everyone early on, but the bonds forged on land proved very important in maintaining the resolve of all crews. The weather did not settle as promised, but the crews battled through really tough seas for 14 hours. Some of the rowers suffered really bad sea- sickness, which we heard had caused a large number of rivals to withdraw altogether. This led to some of the team having to double up, which they did without argument, despite the long haul ahead. To their credit, all of them returned to fill their rota stints, true testimony to the team spirit that developed during the night. Night-time rowing is very disorientating and will- sapping, but this group were having none of this and all maintained their pursuit of the finish line with real determination and zeal. The yacht crew were amazed and heartened by the sheer doggedness and guts shown by everyone, in the face of horrendous conditions. Copious amounts of bananas, chocolate, Lucozade, hot tea, and sea-sickness tablets kept everyone going. Transfers were difficult, but the experience of our support crew was a real bonus. The coxes (rowers on rotation) also did their bit by singing, telling awful jokes, calling the numbers and doing whatever was needed to keep the momentum. Throughout these first 14 hours, the boat averaged about three-four knots, well down on our own expectations, but every stroke got us nearer home and we knew this was a marathon not a sprint. Everyone was delighted as the seas became calmer towards dawn. The light served to pick us up a little, but the heavy seas, sickness and doubling up had taken their toll on our energy reserves. We were all tired, but now even more determined to complete the task, especially as it had been confirmed that seven of the 13 teams had withdrawn and we wanted to see our chosen charities receive their funds. The team spirit was still strong and the bonding even more evident; we had become an even tighter knit unit overnight. Everyone had been tested and all had shown huge resilience, character and determination. The light saw a brief competition between the rowing crews; the yacht crews and others aboard shouting encouragement as ever higher speeds were achieved by successive crews. Speeds increased to five, six, 6.8, then peaked at 7.2 knots, a phenomenal achievement considering the fatigue levels, with 40 miles still to go. The friendly competitiveness raised morale and helped us to progress, but fatigue now was our worst enemy. Crews were now changing more often and in all we used 27 crew changes to achieve our destination. A few miles out from Aberystwyth, we hit a fog bank, but we ploughed on, despite the growing fatigue levels. It was decided that the four ladies in our team would complete the final leg into Aberystwyth harbour; they were delighted to accept. The sighting of the town lifted spirits enormously and the thought of a shower, refreshments and sleep were massive incentives to finish the challenge in style. As the ladies entered the long boat for the last time, we all toasted the success of this intrepid group with a well-earned drink. Entering the harbour, the boat was greeted by onlookers and Macmillan committee members, all of whom shouted their praise and admiration for the entire team. The homecoming and landing proved a very emotional time for everyone. Two of the rowers had lost siblings at young ages, hence the support for Cry. All families had been touched in some way by cancer, hence Macmillan. We had achieved our goal without any disharmony, and we were all intact, although some more than others. The experience had bonded a diverse group of people, including builders and carpenters, teachers, farmers, a dentist, electricians, an international ICT specialist, mothers, nurses, engineers and a merchant seaman (whose ages ranged between 21 and 53) for ever. The many photographs taken will form a permanent memory of all aspects of this incredible journey made by the whole team, who will meet in June to celebrate their achievement and present the cheques to Cry and Macmillan. The team's grateful thanks go to Mr. Dave Thompson, the MD at Lars Knutsen and Clode Ltd., of Pembroke Dock, who sponsored the provisions for the entire trip; all others who sponsored the team and special thanks to Chris Campbell, of the Jolly Sailor (Burton), Westcoast (Milford Haven), who produced the team's kit, Andy Stammers at Svitzer, Milford Haven Port Authority, Ledwoods Engineering and Milford Round Table. If anyone would like to make a donation after reading this article, please contact Richard Jelley at 01646 682204. Anyone interested in rowing, please contact Phil Griffiths at Wiseman's Bridge Rowing Club on 07770 572463.

S. A.