THERE was thrashing of paddles in the water off Goodwick beach last Saturday, September 2, as 20 athletes vied for position at the start of the Fishguard Bay Ocean Race (FBOR).

Paddlers from as far afield as away Hong Kong travelled to north Pembrokeshire to challenge themselves, and their ocean racing skis, to 14 kilometers of windswept Atlantic swells into Newport, via rocky Cerrig Edrywy.

After a powerful start, the leading group maintained their blistering pace while others settled down to the long haul downwind to Dinas Head. Rounding the head and aiming for Cerrig Edrywy, the wind was on the side, which provided an extra challenge for the fleet.

Waters around the rock were confused and choppy but no one fell in, and the way was open for the last, hard two km upwind, over Newport bar and up the Nevern to finish on the Parrog.

The winners of the FBOR trophy were Paul Baker and Jim King, finishing in 1 hour and 57 seconds, they also won the doubles trophy and are the lucky winners of a weekend glamping pod break, kindly donated by Fishguard Bay Resort.

First in open ski (single) was last year's winner, Lewis Kirton at 1hr 2min 26. Masters (over 40) went to Paul Kingman 1hr 7min 05 and veterans (over 55) to Robert Stevenson, who runs the Hong Kong Surf School, in 1hr 12min 45. Two of the doubles had mixed crews but no women entered in the singles class.

"All the competitors enjoyed the race and are looking forward to next year's race, promising to bring many more paddlers with them," said organiser Benjamin Edom. "Thank you to all involved in the planning, sponsoring and support, both on and off the water – we couldn't do it without you."