Castle to Castle 2026 – Beaumaris to Caernarfon

Saturday 4 April 2026 • 10:30

We look forward to welcoming you to our 13‑mile race from Beaumaris to Caernarfon beneath the two famous bridges spanning the Menai Strait. Entries are open for fixed‑seat or sliding‑seat, seaworthy classes (1, 2, 4, or 6 seats). Seat swaps are permitted between cox and rower except between the Menai Suspension and Britannia bridges. If weather dictates, an alternative point‑to‑point course may be run.

Start: Royal Anglesey Yacht Club, Beaumaris • Finish: Royal Welsh Yacht Club, Caernarfon

Locations & Parking

Start (Registration): Royal Anglesey Yacht Club, 6 Green Edge, Beaumaris LL58 8BY — what3words: bangle.reverses.thumb
Finish (Recovery & Parking): Aberforeshore Road, Caernarfon LL54 5RR — what3words: soft.oppose.mole
Royal Welsh Yacht Club (Bar, Meals, Presentations): Porth Yr Aur, Caernarfon LL55 1SN — what3words: gums.hurray.crowd
Beaumaris Stones (Trailer park & launch): what3words: butterfly.threading.excavated
Parking: Pay & Display in designated areas.

Start, finish, parking & club locations

Provisional Timetable of Events

Times below reflect faster crews in favourable conditions; headwinds may extend timings.

Logistics

Time	Event	Location
07:45–08:30	Arrival & unload boats	Beaumaris Green
07:45–08:30	Drivers tow empty trailers to Caernarfon	Depart Beaumaris Green
08:30–09:00	Drop off empty trailers	Aberforeshore, Caernarfon
08:30–09:00	Shuttle cars return drivers to Beaumaris	Aberforeshore → Beaumaris Green
09:00 (arrive by 09:30)	Last shuttle lift to Beaumaris	Aberforeshore → Beaumaris Green

Important for trailer drivers who are rowing: Depart Beaumaris with trailer by 08:30, drop trailer & vehicle at Aberforeshore by 09:00 to be back in Beaumaris and launching by 10:00. Trailer drivers may be unable to attend the coxes’ brief due to the early tide‑dependent start.

Events

Time	Event	Location
08:00–09:30	Registration	Royal Anglesey Yacht Club, Beaumaris
08:30–09:30	Breakfast rolls; hot & cold drinks (for sale)	Royal Anglesey Yacht Club, Beaumaris
08:00–10:00	Boat preparation	Beaumaris Green & beach
09:30	Coxes’ Brief	Royal Anglesey Yacht Club, Beaumaris
10:00	Competitors launch — promptly	Beaumaris beach
10:30	Race Start	Royal Anglesey Yacht Club, Beaumaris
12:00 onwards*	Competitors finish	Aberforeshore, Caernarfon
12:00 onwards*	Boat recovery & load trailers	Aberforeshore, Caernarfon
12:00 onwards*	Bar opens	Royal Welsh Yacht Club, Caernarfon
12:30 onwards*	Meal served	Royal Welsh Yacht Club, Caernarfon
13:30*	Results presentation	Royal Welsh Yacht Club, Caernarfon
19:30	Bar opens — anyone staying over is most welcome	Royal Welsh Yacht Club, Caernarfon

*Approximate, weather‑dependent.

Required Equipment

8 m tow rope securely attached to the boat
Personal flotation aids (PFD) for each crew member
Waterproofed means of communication — ideally a waterproof VHF radio
Two bailers tied to the boat

WSR Rules & Start Procedure

WSR Race Categories & Rules apply (see searowing.wales/race-categories). Key reminders:

Before racing

All boats must register and be seaworthy.
All crew must have paid their WSR personal levy & affiliation fee and be registered with the WSR membership secretary (or British Rowing, ICRF, SCRA, or equivalent).
All crews must send a representative to the coxes’ briefing and abide by local rules given there.

Race starts (WSR procedure adopted this year)

Form a line between the two start markers (starting behind the line is allowed; starting ahead incurs penalties).
Yoles may have a later start or start at one end of the line.
On the ‘ready’ signal (explained at the brief) and raised race flag, the start may occur at any time.
Start is signalled by the flag dropping and a hooter; also announced by VHF.
All coxes must wear lifejackets; all juniors must wear lifejackets (U18s even in senior crews).

During the race

Green flag — Racing underway, advertised course.
Yellow flag — Racing underway, course altered; follow the lead boat.
Red flag — Race cancelled; follow lead boat to shore and do not hinder others.
VHF: Channel 37 or “M”.

Booking & Registration

Race fee: £15 per person (e.g., £75 per longboat; £30 per double scull). Includes post‑race meal. Entries are limited—please complete the entry form and return to RWYC by the deadline.

Payments by cash or card on the day at registration, or by bank transfer in advance. Details will be supplied by email.

Booking Forms

Please send an email to commodore@royal-welsh.com requesting the C2C Crew Registration form. Forms to be returned by the closing date Saturday 28th March.

More details available in the full race notice below.