Date: 15th March.
Event: Montford Challenge.
Mindset of the 5 Deganwy Rowers Mixed Vets Crew: GO HARD OR GO HOME!
The sun shone on the 22 boat crews as they man (and woman) handled their boats on to the River Severn by the illustrious Pengwern Boat Club.
The coxes were each issued with maps, rules (lots of those; defy them at your peril) and a detailed explanation of the criteria for assessing the race results (‘simply satisfy the velocity = distance/time formula’….who doesn’t do that, frankly?).
Then boats onto the water in 4 groups according to the designated starting grid ( told you this was a highly organised race…).
Race start at 12:30 and the claxon sounded and the Severn instantly became a froth of oars, straining glutes and atavistic determination as they headed off on Phase 1 of the Challenge: rowing until your muscles burn and eyes bulge until the ‘designated turning time’ of 13:45.
Then it’s homeward bound, the fastest boats then being further from the finish by virtue of their greater distance covered.
Each boat continued onward and glute-punishingly upwards, back towards Pengwern finishing line – only to then continue past the coveted line for another 1.3km, just upstream from the English Bridge, round a marker bouy and then finally ‘sprint the last leg back to Pengwern’ (the rules specify a sprint; only the brave or downright foolish ignore such an edict).
For our own inimitable Deganwy Famous Five, ‘sprint’ became a particularly apt description: drawing level were none other than our arch nemesis – Aberdyfi Men!
The challenge had been set: beat Aberdyfi or die trying. As the finish line approached enticingly, each of our rowers gave 150% in their resolve to finish ahead, but frustratingly, it wasn’t to be. Aberdyfi Men came first, winning the Montford Challenge! Well done.
Our five intrepid Deganwy Rowers – Annmarie, Sarah, Gareth, Gary Thomas and Glenn – all worked commendably together and gave their all. A testament to all that can be achieved by sheer force of will, hard work and gutsy rowing.
However fear not…our famous 5 had indeed won their class Mixed Vets, pipping Beaumaris to the top spot!
Woohoo Deganwy Rowers in Tal-y-fan…respect, you braved the Montford Challenge (despite the urban myths) and conquered! Definitely a case of GO HARD and GO HOME TRIUMPHANT!
Event Reporter: Gaynor Davies
