East Cheshire SAC has co-ordinated the Menai Boat Run every year since 2007. Originally conceived as a day for the club to test-out their RIBs before the start of the season, it has seen a steady influx of other BSAC clubs and their boats getting involved, seeing numbers swell from two vessels in 2007, to a massive 35 RIBs this Sunday (25 March).
More than 270 BSAC members and their families took to the waters of the Menai Straits in this impressive flotilla, raising £1,500 for the RNLI while enjoying fish-and-chips in Beaumaris and ice cream at Caernarfon in the stunning spring sunshine. The cheque was presented to the Beaumaris lifeboat crew during the lunchtime pit-stop.
It is estimated that BSAC clubs travelled in excess of 10,000 miles to take part in the run, coming from as far afield as Cornwall.
Event organiser Kevin Philips, East Cheshire SAC’s Diving Officer thanked everyone who took part in the day and helped to raise funds for the RNLI. He commented: “This year’s Menai Run was the best so far, with perfect conditions and a great atmosphere with everyone enjoying themselves. It was great to see so many people join in, meet friends from other clubs and make new ones from clubs from all over the country.”
To see more photographs from this event, check out East Cheshire SAC’s website and BSAC's Facebook page.
Photographs by Bryan Stanislas