International boat race held in Pembrokeshire celebrates 10th anniversary
Fishguard Bay Ocean Race (FBOR) began in 2016 as the brainchild of local resident Benjamin Edom, the race has evolved into the Welsh Surfski National Championships and a GB team selection race for events such as this year's World Championships, South Africa.
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'After spending 10 years in Australia where surfski is a major sport with hundreds of competitors, I wanted to highlight Fishguard Bay's ideal surfski environment and invited some top GB paddlers to give it a go.' says Ben.
(Image: Julia Moffett) 'The ski paddlers were captivated by our coastal scenery and the clean, deep ocean at our doorstep –and they came back the next year. Many paddlers now call it their favourite race of the season'
The ocean race kept going through the covid years and the event is now the only regatta in the UK spread over an entire weekend.
(Image: Julia Moffett) Saturday's race is exclusively for Elite paddlers seeking selection for the GB team on a challenging 17 km course of open ocean from Goodwick, to Newport Sands.
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Sunday's race is open to known competent intermediate and advanced paddlers capable of safely finishing a shorter, more accessible, course from Goodwick to Newport Sands.
(Image: Julia Moffett) Also included is the mixed double ski class which enables elites from Saturday to race a second time, again for selection, but in a more fun and relaxed event.
New at Goodwick this year, FBOR hosted Fishguard's first AquaPaddle, a water sport equivalent of a park run, where there is no winner and every level of paddler is welcome.
Saturday dawned almost still, and the early mist soon turned to fog, blotting out the view of Dinas head from Goodwick Beach.
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(Image: Julia Moffett) However, the race went ahead, with the Safety Officer monitoring everyone via their GPS trackers the restricted visibility was overcome and there was some first-class racing.
The Dolphin Wave for first boat across the line went to Jordan Roberts, First Lady to Brynde Kreft for the second year. The Big Dragon Welsh National Ski Championship trophy for fastest Welsh paddler was lifted high by Mat Rowlands of Rhoose for the fourth time, and the Dragon Girl for Welsh female champion was claimed by Liv Geddes of Margam for the fourth time.
Trophies were handed out at a splendid ceremony and dinner at Tregroes Pantry.
(Image: Julia Moffett) The forecast Sunday was not at all friendly with winds over 20 knots expected.
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The race safety officers assessed the conditions and decided that it was safe to go ahead. In fact, the winds gave prime conditions for a magnificent race
Mat Rowlands smashed the course record down to 52 mins 51 secs, with first double ski of Toby Peyton-Jones and Brynde Kreft finishing in 54:36 over a slightly longer course.
'Everyone had a magnificent and really enjoyable paddle with no safety concerns at any stage, either for competitors or the very professional support fleet of local volunteers,' said Ben.
The class winners were: Single Open Mat Rowlands Double open: Toby Peyton-Jones and Brynde Kreft Single Masters (over 35): Simon Philpot Single Veterans (over 55): Paul Kingman.
Full results can be seen at FishguardOceanRace.uk, linked above.
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