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, in Celtic Longboats. A novice team of 12 Shropshire Rowers took it in turns to row, spending the time in between on a support boat. A small rigid inflatable was used to transfer people between the support boat and the rowing boat.

The race started at 4pm on Saturday. 26 hours later we rowed into Aberystwyth Harbour, having had an epic night. Out of the 22 teams that started 12 finished, after a bit of a rough night, with Shropshire Adventure Rowers coming 11th. The Welsh Sea Rowing Association were kind enough to award us the Timekeepers trophy for finishing, which reflected our determination to finish despite our novice status.

The race happens every two years and, having forgotten the violent sea sickness, I am sure we’ll be back again in 2014 for what was an epic event, superbly organised.

More Info
http://www.celtic-challenge.org.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_challenge_rowing_race

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