Perfect conditions for the Puffin

Crews prepare their boats for the start of the race in Beaumaris

Seen by many as their favourite race of the season, it was no surprise that a maximum field of 24 boats took to the start line of this year’s Puffin Island Race.

The 10.5 mile long course eastward from Beaumaris through to Trwyn Du and around the island itself has some breathtaking views and the chance to see Grey Seals as well as the nesting Guillemots, Razorbills, Cormorants, Shags and, if you’re lucky, a Puffin or two.

With a low tide due an hour after the race start, the boats left Beaumaris with a relatively slow tide heading towards Fryars Bay and the long row towards Trwyn Du and on to Puffin Island.

The first boats to reach the island were Beca of Clwb Rhwyfo Porthmadog and Menai of Beaumaris closely followed by Ceridwen of Aberystwyth and Mary Meldrum of Deganwy.

The Vikings knew the island as Priestholme, a clear reference to its ecclesiastical history, a history which is even more obvious in the island’s Welsh name, Ynys Seiriol.

St Seiriol founded the monastery in Penmon in the 6th Century and also set up a small community and church on the island itself.

It was the home boat of Menai who rounded the far side of the island underneath the old Telegraph Station first, opening up a gap as the boats headed back towards the famous Trwyn Du lighthouse.

Having negotiated the sound, Menai decided to take a shore side line of the wreck of the Hoveringham hoping for enough of a tide to see them through and avoid rowing agaisnt the last of the tide.

The Hoveringham II, a sand dredger, sank in 1971 after developing a leak whilst making its way from Liverpool to Porth Penrhyn, Bangor and fortunately for Menai, there was just enough water to see them through and maintain their lead over Beca and row for home finishing in an excellent time of 1h 32’ 28”.

Ceridwen of Aberystwyth were the first mixed crew home finishing in a very creditable fourth place whilst Blodwen of Clwb Rhwyfo Porthmadog managed to hold off Seiriol of Beaumaris in a very tight women’s race with just 27 seconds between both boats.

In the sculls race, Madog Yacht Club, Porthmadog’s men’s quad was the first boat home with the mixed crew of Beaumaris’ quad finishing second and MYC’s Wendy Grainge was the only single scull to complete race.

As ever, the volunteers of Beaumaris Rowing Club provided an excellent post race meal with plenty of food ... and cake ... to satisfy the 166 rowers as well as the numerous supporters ahead of the prize giving ceremony.