Rhyl RNLI 2019 harbour raft race.

Because of the poor forecast, the entries were lower than previous years, but hundreds still lined the harbour and Pont Y Ddraig lifting footbridge, to get a view of the spectacle. There were various attractions and stalls on the harbour-side to keep the crowds busy before the races began.
Before the races began, Prestatyn Councillor Anton Sampson presented Coxswain Martin Jones with a cheque for £1200, which he had pledged to the Rhyl Shannon lifeboat appeal. The money was donated by Cllr. Sampson during his year as Prestatyn Mayor. He had come to the event by sea on his paddle board!
The raft races began at 2pm, with two heats for the rafts constructed on site on the day. The winners of these heats, plus the fastest losing raft, then went head-to-head for the Povah Cup. This was won by the 'Try Hards' from Sainsburys supermarket.
An additional heat was the long-awaited revenge match between the lifeboat crew and the Jetski club. Last year, the Jetski club were sunk by the lifeboat crew, and have plotted the return match in the last twelve months! The 'battle' took place with the crew as pirates, and the club as knights. All manner of foul and devious tricks were played on both parts, and the Jetski club came out victorious, demolishing the RNLI charity's raft, forcing the occupants to swim to shore!
Martin Jones, Rhyl RNLI Coxswain said 'Once again, the Rhyl RNLI raft race has been very successful, and has raised money to go towards the new Helly Hansen kit, which the crew received the week before. We are very grateful to Cllr. Sampson for his donation, and we are proud that the raft race has become a firm favourite in the Rhyl events Calendar. Thank you to all who donated and took part, see you next year!'
Pictures show the raft race in full flow, also Martin receiving the cheque from Cllr Sampson.

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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