On a windy Sunday 15th June, after an early call to confirm the Beaumaris Northern League Races would be going ahead, 3 Deganwy Rowers crews set off in anticipation and excitement for RAYC Beaumaris race day…a firm favourite in our clubs calendar!
A million thanks to Gary for ably steering the boat up the A55 and bringing her safely home. It’s not blarney to say, we could not do this without you. Thank you so much!
As ever, the Royal Anglesey Yacht Club RAYC hosted and orchestrated a superb event with 20 boats entered across three classes: Ladies, Mens and Novices.
The crews, coxes and supporters were fully appreciative of the RAYC lavish breakfast, with something for everyone to fuel them for the challenges awaiting out on the waves.
Ladies Race – A Tale of Grit Over Glory
Never in the field of human endurance has a crew rowed so hard and made so little progress — setting aside the possible exception of Shackleton’s lads.
The race schedule kicked off with the Ladies race. The good boat Mary Meldrum set off to the start line, in high winds, with low expectations.
As the start gun fired Deganwy Ladies came charging over the line, reaching the 1st turn buoy ahead of the pack, setting a fierce pace for the competition. The turn was tight — oars clashed, positions tangled as another crew underestimated the space between us and the buoy and tried to edge their way in — but our crew didn’t flinch. With poise and power, we surged ahead.
What started with the promise of silverware quickly unravelled. Our lead faded. The Mary Meldrum caught side-on in wind and waves, the boat battled through a series of course corrections — to no avail.
But this is no tale of failure. This is a story of grit.
Ever the Bravehearts, cox and crew battled through the full course, against the elements, and with a relatively inexperienced crew.
When the waves spilled into the boat, we rowed on. When the wind blew us sideways, as it did frequently, we regrouped. We kept going…soaked, salty, and still smiling. Hold on red, row on green. We held, we rowed. Relentless.
It was one of the single best hours of my life.
This wasn’t about medals. It’s about mettle. About finding humour when the chips are down…and tossed and soaked in sea water, and progress is slow.
I’ve never been prouder to be part of a team. Not for the result. But for the resilience. What a race. What a day. What a crew.
Men’s Race Crew
Next came the Men’s race but as sea and weather conditions continued to be a decidedly cheeky, the Race Officials shortened and diverted the course.
Our very capable men’s crew were up against significantly more experienced rowers, but Mary Meldrum & Deganwy Men’s held her own.
She spirited her way tight to the flotilla never losing sight of the race, the course, or the objective. It was a masterclass in strategy.
Novice Race Hopes Blowout
Even after course adjustments, the prevailing conditions were just to cheeky to handle and the Race Officials called the Beaumaris Races to a close after the Men’s event.
The Novice crew’s anticipation and excitement dashed and faces fell…but after watching wide-eyed at the Ladies and Men’s battle on the waves, maybe just maybe a little relieved to test their metal another day…hopefully in more pleasant conditions!
With the novice race abandoned, the day quietly drew to a close. I made my way back to the car, peeled off my soaked gear, and changed into something dry. By the time I returned, the boat had been loaded and the team had dispersed.
There’s a lot that goes into days like this…time in the gym, time on the water, constant tweaking, improving, correcting. Every small effort contributes to the larger whole.
A heartfelt thank you to Alun and the entire gym team for preparing us for race day.
Thanks also to all the coxes we’ve trained with…each one has shaped our rowing DNA.
And of course, a special shout-out to the coxes who raced us: Annemarie and Alun — a huge diolch yn fawr.
Roving Rowing Reporter: Rois
