14-05-2025
Ramsey Island Rowing Race sees tight finishes in near-perfect conditions
Competitors travelled more than 100 miles to take part in one of the most popular sea rowing events of the season, the Ramsey Island Rowing Race.
The event, which took place on Saturday, May 10, was organised by Solva Rowing Club.
The eight-mile route takes in Ramsey Sound, with its notorious Bitches rocks, then through a gap wide enough for one boat only, and around the western face of the island exposed to the open sea.
With potentially treacherous waters, the race can be staged only when suitable weather and tides converge, as the boats have to launch and recover through the surf.
This year, in near-perfect conditions, 21 Celtic Longboats completed the course, with a tight finish - less than a minute between the first two boats, and less than 25 minutes between the whole fleet.
First home, overall winner, and top senior veteran crew were Aberystwyth Men in Ceridwen, with a time of just 1hr 4mins 41 secs.
Second to cross the line, just 50 seconds later, were the mixed veteran crew from Llangwm Longboats Rowing Club, Smile and Waves in Kiddles.
Third overall, just 30 seconds later, were the Cardigan men's super vets crew in Seconds Ahead.
The first ladies crew home were Aberystwyth Ladies in Branwen.
The two Solva crews competing, a ladies crew, and a men's super vets finished with exactly the same time.
Part of Whitesands beach, St Davids, was turned into a boat park before the race, and the boats had to launch and recover through the waves, which were luckily quite small on the day.
Among some special certificates awarded was one for best landing and recovery, which went to the Solva Selkies in Auntie Mattie.
Solva club chairman Steve Probert said: "Huge thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a success from the safety boat drivers and crew, Porth Mawr Surf Lifesavers for use of their building, the RNLI Lifeguards who helped with beach marshalling and keeping other sea users safe, St Davids City Council for their support and help with car parking, and, of course, our club members who worked so hard, both before and on the day."
