The Eddystone Challenge is a race from Plymouth to the Eddystone Lighthouse in the Western Approaches of the English Channel and back - a distance of 40 kilometres in open sea.
The race is open to any rowing boat, e.g. Quad sculls, Sweep oars, Celtic Longboats, Cornish gigs and Canoes etc.
The event is a tough mental and physical challenge. The winning time is dependent on the weather - it has taken just under six and a half hours in force 6 conditions, and under four hours in a force one.
The timings this year ranged from 4hours, 7mins, & 55seconds, to 7hours, 44mins & 12seconds.
Taunton Canoe Club entered 2 K2 teams, namely Sam Jones and Dave Merrifield (finishing time 4hours 38mins & 4seconds), and Clive Merrifield and Tony Musson (finishing time 4hours 44mins & 12seconds).
They came a respectable 4th and 11th positions out of field of 42 entries. Well done!!
