Again, despite very poor weather conditions, there was an impressive turnout of boats, the majority being Celtic Longboats, although there was a number of Cornish gigs which are crewed by six rowers.
Conditions for the race were far from perfect, with heavy rain and strong south-westerly winds. A meeting was held with crews and representatives from the coastguards and RNLI, after which a decision was made to go ahead with the race.
Fishguard's all-weather lifeboat, the Blue Peter 7 and D Class boat, Team Effort, along with many local fishing and pleasure boats, followed the race, providing safety cover and also an excellent vantage point for many race followers.
The rowing boats were launched at Lower Town, Fishguard, and rowed around the coast to the starting point at Goodwick Beach. The course was 4.5 miles long, with a number of buoy turns included.
The first leg of the race saw the boats rowing with the south-westerly wind behind them. At the second buoy turn, a number of boats collided and clashed oars, a few being caught broadside onto the wind. Once safely around the buoy, the rowers turned to face the full strength of the strong wind for the last leg of the race.
The finish line was in Lower Town Harbour, next to the yacht club where a good crowd of locals, rowers and holidaymakers cheered the tired crews across the line after a gruelling row.
The ladies race saw 12 crews taking part. Tenby's crew, Rachel Hughes, Pam Quinn, Liz Wordley, Glenda Hughes and coxswain Tim Deere-Jones, were positioned 12th in their category. The winning crew were Aberdovey Ladies.
There were 18 boats competing in the men's race. Tenby's crew of Chris Terry, Nick Tebbutt, Gary James, Ian Wordley and coxswain Tim Deere-Jones, came 10th. The winning crew was Aberdovey men. Tenby also entered a novice crew, who rowed very well and gained their first win of the season. Crew members were Martin McDonald, Matthew Tebbutt, Chris Terry, Ian Wordley and coxswain Tim Deere- Jones.
The next league race will be held at Pwllheli on June 4.