Aberystwyth Rowing Club: The Great River Race 2002 - The Jubilee race
The Great River Race is a favorite event for Pembrokeshire and Celtic Longboats alike. The race takes place on the river Thames over a 23 mile course starting from Richmond (Ham House) and finishing at Island Gardens / Greenwich.
The 2002 Race was run over the familiar, though still gruelling, 23-mile course and, as usual, the winners received the coveted Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen of The River Thames and became the 2002 UK Traditional Boat Champions and, as usual, every competitor qualified for a coveted hand-lettered Watermen's certificate
Any traditional-style, coxed boat, propelled by a minimum of four oars or paddles, without sliding seats or riggers, may take part. Each boat is -handicapped according to its potential performance - so everyone has an equal chance in this 'slowest away first, fastest last' handicap race and, in keeping with Watermen's traditions, every craft must carry a passenger.
This year's race saw the largest welsh contingent ever with 25 Celtic and 12 Pembrokeshire together with a small entry of Teifi Skiffs.
Aberystwyth launched 4 teams: a senior men' s , a senior women's and 2 mixed teams.
The men' s team performed extremely well by winning the celtic longboat category and coming a fantastic 5th overall fastest.
The women came in second to Neyland in the womens section and the two mixed teams were very competitive.
Aberystwyth Mixed team taking it 'Easy'
Aberystwyth Teams Great River Race 2002