Penarthians behind 'Head of the Taff' rowing race (From Penarth Times)

Penarthians behind 'Head of the Taff' rowing race

SEVERAL Penarth residents are heavily implicated in the "Cardiff Head of the Taff" rowing race which makes a second successful appearance this Saturday from the Castle grounds, down past the Millennium Stadium as rugby fans queue for the big match, racing for 4km and finishing up at the Cardiff Bay Yacht Club.

The innovative race which commenced last spring with 40 entries is already attracting wider interest and has the wholehearted backing of Cardiff County Council.

This year's event has increased to 60 crews nationwide including over 15 Cwch Hir long boats from West Wales.

John and Robert Coates, who both live in Robinswood Crescent, rowed at National level for many years at Llandaff; David Briley, of Britten Road, is a mainstay at Penarth Rowing Club and Andy Davison, Tony Barry, Dave Moorcraft and David Hardwicke Lewis who rowed there some years ago, are repaying some of the sheer pleasure of their rowing careers through the Cardiff Bay Watermen society which specialises in developing rowing on the Bay.

The event is a time trial but develops into a race as each crew tries to overtake the one in front as they pass under the difficult railway bridge near Wood Street and negotiate the sharp bend at Clarence bridge.

The Watermen are already planning a full scale two-day rowing regatta in the bay on May 25 and 26 to make the best use of Cardiff Bay's natural suitability for rowing.