MEMBERS of Towy Boat club braved strong winds and heavy rain over the weekend to honour the money they had raised for local charities.

The crew had originally intended to participate in the Celtic Challenge until the event was postponed until next year due to bad weather.

Determined to honour all the money raised for the Cameron Comey and Luke Somerfield Trusts, the Towy crew vowed to row their own Alternative Celtic Challenge over the same distance as the original Irish Sea crossing.

Their original plan was to split the team of 12 rowers into two boats, rather than rotate the crew into one boat like they would have in the original Celtic Challenge. A course of some 50 miles, up the Towy and along the coast to Pembrokeshire and back, was planned.

With strong winds and heavy rain threatening to halt the crew’s determination to row their Alternative Celtic Challenge on the weekend of May 20, they quickly rerouted their course so that safe navigation was possible within the limited weather windows. Using the new route, they successfully rowed 96miles in 17 hours and 32 minutes.

As interest and support for the new event grew, the crew quickly needed to rethink to allow others to join them on the Challenge, freeing up seats to include more people in the adventure. On Friday evening, Towy’s Celtic crew were joined by their Celtic Challenge support vessel and the club’s second wind sailors.

The Carmarthen Quay row planned for that evening was not possible as the weather window didn’t allow for a long row. Instead the flotilla of three longboats headed down towards Scott’s Bay. On returning to the club, the Celtic rowers continued rowing on the ergs.

Rowing friends from Newport, Llanion and Wisemans Bridge joined the crew on Saturday for the second leg, with five rowing boats, a jet-ski and a support RIB heading up the river, stopping at Carmarthen Quay for a welcome refreshment break.

On their return to the club a quick weather review revealed a weather window which allowed the crew to row over to Pembrokeshire on Sunday. With only the ladies crew feeling up for the final leg, it was necessary for them to put in a double shift, rowing to Pembrokeshire and back home to Towy Boat club.

After almost 6 hours at sea, the ladies returned home safely to proud applause from fellow club members, who were surprised at their speedy return.

Team captain Nic Thomas thanked all those who took part: “Saturday’s row had by far the biggest turn out,” she told The Herald. “It was wonderful to share the experience with so many well-wishers.

“With the whole Celtic Challenge crew, support vessel, support rib and rowers working together as one team, it has certainly been a tremendous Alternative Challenge. We couldn’t have had better support, they have been awesome. I can’t thank them enough for all they have done”

“The ladies were superb. Having rowed every leg and putting in extra shifts on the ergs, they each rowed over 50miles over the weekend.

“I am tremendously proud of the crew for completing the Challenge despite the weather playing havoc with our plans. It has been a great rowing weekend, made more special as we were joined by so many supporters and well wishes on route. It has been an honour to share this epic adventure with them.

“We have countless heartfelt thank-yous to make to all those who have supported us from the onset of training to rowing the Alternative Celtic Challenge. It wouldn’t have been possible without this support, we can’t thank them enough.”

The crew, triumphant in their efforts despite the countless blisters, are looking towards planning for the postponed race in 2017.