What is the Celtic Challenge and how did it come about?

The Celtic Challenge started as a race in 1993 but the original idea to row across the Irish Sea came about in 1989 when members of the lifeboat crew formed the Aberystwyth Rowing Club. The rowing club did a sponsored row from Arklow to Aberystwyth to raise money for the Bronglais Hospital scanner appeal. In 1991, they did it again as a fundraiser for the lifeboat. As a result of these two crossing, there was lots of interest and people began to say wouldn't it be great to have race. There was lots of Irish interest too and so we held our first race in 1993 with six boats - two Irish and four Welsh.

Why does the race start in Arklow?

In 1989, we thought of rowing from Rosslare but because of the distance and the way the tides funnel into the St George's Channel and the Irish Sea, the currents are very strong. It's better to be rowing against weaker currents. The port of Arklow in County Wicklow is a distance of 83/84 miles N.W. of Aberystwyth. Arklow also had strong links with Aberystwyth as in the 19th century sailing vessels from the port brought cargos into Aberystwyth.

How many time has the race been rowed?

The race takes place every two years and has been held in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999. The race was cancelled in 2001 due to foot and mouth so it went ahead in 2002 instead. In 2004, the weather window closed and it was deemed unsafe for the race to go ahead. Three Irish teams came to Aberystwyth anyway and we held an impromptu relay race on the Sunday afternoon.

Who can take part?

In 2006, 14 boats signed up for the race, including four Irish teams and teams from all over Wales. There are three categories of team made up of twelve participants - men, ladies, and mixed (6 men and 6 women).

Longboats are 25ft long and the oars are about 8ft. During the race, there are four rowers and a cox who will row between 1hr-1.5hr before changing over. How they utilise their twelve members is entirely up to the team. Each rowing boat also has a support vessel and a RIB (rigid inflatable boat).

What does the organisation of the event involve?

In the June before the year of the race, the committe gets race preparations underway. All the committee members are ex-lifeboat members. In the August/September, we send out invitations to former participants and members of the longboat league inviting them to register. A pack is then sent out to those who register an interest including information about the history of the race. There then follows six months of hard work and team briefings, including trips to Ireland to meet the Irish teams and to tell them what they can expect in terms of weather conditions, rowing during the hours of darkness and emphasising safety aspects.

What has been the quickest crossing?

The fastest crossing was made in just over 14 hrs in 1997. It was the Dover and Globe rowing club who rowed a skiff with sliding seats. Fortunately, conditions were good but any chop and they'd have sunk. Normally, the race is rowed in fixed seat Pembrokeshire longboats. The fastest longboat ever to cross was the Aberystwyth Mens who did so in just under 15 hrs.

The slowest crossing was made in 1993 when a ladies team convened by Diane Quinell from Aberporth took 26 hrs. The weather was atrocious that year but they were determined not to give up. Sheer determination kept them going.

Is there anything noteworthy about the 2006 event?

In 2002, Arklow men's team beat Aberystwyth by 47 secs which over a distance of just under 90 miles due provided for an incredibly tight and exciting finish. There is a great rivalry between the two teams and up until 2002, Aber had won every Celtic Challenge. The Irish will want to keep the trophy in Arklow in 2006.

Anything else we should know?

Presentations to the winners of the event will take place at Aberystwyth Rowing Club on Monday afternoon. There will be a bottle of bubbly for every team as a thankyou for making the journey.