The Celtic Challenge is a bi-annual rowing race where teams race from Arklow in County Wicklow, Ireland across the Irish Sea to Aberystwyth on the Welsh coast, a distance of about 90 nautical miles. The boats used are Celtic/Pembrokeshire longboats, each boat is about 24 feet (8m) long and has 4 fixed seats and one cox. Each team consists of 12 people who taking it in turns to row, spending the time in between on a support boat.
The race is a test of endurance taking between between 15 and 24 hours, depending on the weather. The race usually starts in the afternoon in Arklow with teams rowing throughout the night.The race ends when the boats cross the harbour entrance in Aberystwyth, they usually arrive from early morning onwards and spectators are welcome.
First: Vartry (men) 18h 53m 59s Second: Aberystwyth Men (men) 19h 24m 33s Third: Porthmadog (mixed) 23h 25m 0s Fourth: Dun Laoghaire (ladies) 1d 2h 0m 45s.