Rafters brave rain to support the RNLI Rhyl Harbour Raft Race
Raft teams braved wind and rain at times to support this years RNLI Raft Race in Rhyl Harbour, which was raising fund for the towns new Shannon Class All Weather Lifeboat.
The race in its fourth year, and saw 18 teams take part, has become a popular event in the seaside town. This year the organisers decided to go ahead with the race despite rain being forecast. Luckily the rain cleared just as the first race began.
Spectators watched the raft teams battle it our over four heat races, then the top finishers competed in the final race the Povah Cup, named after the late well known local seaman/fisherman John Povah.
For the reigning champions B&W Builders retained the trophy, with local cycling group, The Lon Las Loonies coming in second and in third place was the out of hours GP team. Rhyl and Flint Lifeboat crew raft didn't compete this year, and instead turned to piracy to cause some mayhem during the races, including sinking the HM Coastguard raft. That was until the late arrival of the Centurions (Rhyl Jet Ski club raft), where a battle between the two teams ensued! It is still not known who actually won.
Joint winners of the fancy dress competition were the Mens Sheds Association and Lime Hair and Beauty.
Martin Jones, Rhyl Lifeboat Coxswain said 'Despite the weather the day has been a great success, the local community have pulled together and I think it was an enjoyable day for all, which has helped raise over £900 towards our new lifeboat. We'd like to thank Anwyl Homes-Parc Aberkinsey for donating the pallets for the rafts, Vue Cinima, Rhyl and the Cookhouse and Pub for donating prizes for the fancy dress competition. We would also like to thank our colleagues RNLI volunteers from Flint for helping out on the day and also the RNLI Lifeguards for providing first aid cover.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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