Start Celtic Challenge 2012

The Celtic Challenge is the World’s Longest true rowing race where teams race from Arklow in County Wicklow, Ireland to Aberystwyth on the Welsh coast, a distance of about 90 nautical miles. Celtic and Pembrokeshire longboats take part and the challenge consists of 12 people who take it in turns to row, spending the time in between on a support boat.

The Celtic Challenge 2012 took place over the bank holiday weekend 5th – 6th May , it was touch and go whether the race would go ahead due to rough sea conditions. It was agreed to start the race 4pm on Saturday, when the waves dropped enough to exit the harbour. It was a very sketchy start, with 23 crews in the water, the first 16 hours were gruelling to say the least. Many teams dropped out due to extreme conditions, sea sickness and equipment failures. By morning only 11 teams remained in the race, exhausted crews finally able to enjoy the row as conditions improved. At 3.24pm on Sunday, with our huge team of supporters cheering us in we crossed the finished line in at a very respectable seventh place in a time of 23hours 24 minutes.

Massive thank you to Skipper Mark and First mate Bob of Wandrin Star, Fishguard and Stuart Forsyth and Kevin Dobson our rib support crew, you were all amazing and kept us all safe. A big thank you to Jeff English for transporting the boat and supporting us throughout the event. A huge thank you to Wendy Davies Cushley who kept us fed and watered for 24hrs without a minutes break! Also a massive thank you to Charlie Millar who dedicated a huge amount of time and effort to organise our challenge. Special Thank you to all our family and friends who have supported us throughout the event, without you it wouldn’t have been possible.

Special thanks to our main sponsors: Carrentals.co.uk and to all our other major sponsors Lewtress, Old Post Office Aberporth, Granant Precast Concrete, Aberporth Community Council and Deli Delights for donating all our drinking water.

Start of the race! From the left in Yellow boat Dolwen: Andy Cushley, Andy Mayer, Carl Rich, Charlie Millar & Cox Hayley Morris.

Sponsored jackets from carrentals.co.uk

Back of jackets

Massive thank you to Carrentals.co.uk for your very generous sponsorship. Our new jackets were perfect for the challenge, they kept us dry and warm, and made us really easy to spot! If you dont hear us coming you will definitely see us!

Team Photo from front left: Charlie Millar, Tim Wilcox, Leanne Phillips, Hayley Morris, Andy Mayer, Oli Box, Wendy Davies Cushley. Back left: Carl Rich, Chris New, Andy Cushley, Gareth Edwards, Owen Harries & Tim Ogilvie.

Aberporth Teams Race highlights:

Tilly ladies did it again, winning their second league race in a row! They did it in some style finishing a considerable distance ahead of the rest of the 11 strong field. Well done team!

Leanne Philips, Donna Philips, Hayley Morris, Kathy French & Tim Ogg (cox)

We had our first junior team competing since the club reformed 3 years ago. Tilly Juniors did really well in difficult sea conditions to win the under 18 girls race. Well done to all the girls and to Chris New (junior coach) who has worked hard with the juniors over the last few weeks to get the team ready to race.

Girls Under 18's Team with coach Chris New

There was a good battle in the mixed race between the two Aberporth teams. Despite both teams being unfortunate at the start of the race they worked their way through the field but couldn’t shake off each other. They battled right to the end finishing in 7th & 8th with Dolwen finishing just 4 seconds ahead of Tilly Whim.

Well done everyone today.  Race pics

Sponsored Row 2011

On Sunday 28th August 2011 , August Bank Holiday weekend, we will be doing a 12 hour sponsored row to raise money for the Celtic Challenge in May 2012.

It will be held in Dyffryn car park (opposite the Ship Aberporth)

First rower starts at 8am and last rower finishes at 8pm.

There will be BBQ, Raffle, Cakes, Stalls and a chance for visitors of all ages to have a go on the rowing machine to try and win the 500 meter challenge.

Dinas Head 2011 Rowers

We managed to get 2 teams together for this excellent evening event.  The teams were split to make them as even as possible and it couldn’t have been much closer with Tilly Whim beating Dolwen by just 4 seconds! Tilly Whim completed the course in 1:02:35 and Dolwen in 1:02:39.

Click here for full race report and results

Big thank you to Newport Rowing Club for another great Dinas Head Challenge.

Tilly Whim team:

Chris New, Charlie Millar, Gareth Edwards, Mike Hodges (Newport) & Wendy Cushley (cox)

Dolwen team:

Andy Mayer, Andrew Cushley, Hayley Morris, Oli Box & Lisa Mayer (cox)

Tilly Ladies - Ladies Winners Leanne Philips, Donna Philips, Hayley Morris, Kathy French & Tim Ogilvie (cox)

Back to South League Racing with a bang. Aberporth Tilly Ladies get their first ever win! After a slow start they worked their way to the front and held of the challenge from Llangwm and New Quay to claim first place. Excellent performance, hopefully first of many.

Well done all the other crews, good effort everyone!

Our new boat Dyffryn also had its maiden voyage today

Llangwm Race 2011 Photos

Our new boat Dyffryn

Well done everyone for fundraising to get our new boat, oars and trailer. Big thank you from everyone at the club to Charlie for collecting.

Aberystwyth Race 2011

Part two of the double header Joint league race weekend.

It was a really well attended race with 24 boats competing in the mixed race!The first buoy turn was good fun

Aberystwyth Race 2011 Photos