Row Hard Or Row Home: Viking Longboat Races Return To Peel This Saturday

Grab your horned helmets and limber up those oar muscles — the legendary World Championship Viking Longboat Races are crashing back into Peel Harbour this Saturday (June 28).

Over 600 brave souls (and maybe a few who were tricked into it) will clamber into 62 Viking-style longboats for a high-octane, oar-powered 400-metre sprint around Peel Harbour, starting at 12pm.

Think Olympic rowing, but with more beards and a healthy dose of chaos.

This annual spectacle has been drawing spectators since way back in 1963, when the original event was part of the Viking Festival and involved four boats racing to invade the beach.

Now it’s all peace, prizes, and a bit of paddling-induced panic.

Jimmy Lee, one of the organisers of the event, said: ‘The Viking Longboat Races started initially with four crews in the longboats for the Viking Festival vying to be first to the beach and start the invasion.

‘Then in 1963, they started holding the longboat races as a separate event. Since then, we think that only one year has been missed. We held the 60th anniversary of the start of the races last year.

‘We average roughly 70 teams per year, with the maximum number of teams to take part in a single event being 92 in the 1990s.

‘The original boats had 20 in a crew, but the boats that we are using presently, which were built in the island in the mid 1980s, are crewed by 10 rowers.’

The races are split into men’s, women’s, and mixed categories, but don’t worry — there are prizes for more than just speed.

There’s also glory (and perhaps a pint) for categories like ‘best young farmers team’, ‘veterans’, ‘fancy dress’, and, a personal favourite, ‘slowest team’ – because let’s face it, someone has to come last.

On a more heart-warming note, race sponsor IFGL has supported the event for over 20 years, donating more than £60,000 to local charities.

Each team gets to pick a charity, and the winning boats earn up to £600 for their chosen cause.

Peel will see a few road closures around Weather Glass Corner and The Tongue, but there are no extra stalls or events, so spectators are encouraged to do the Viking thing and raid the local pubs and food joints instead.

‘There are plenty of popular local food outlets in Peel for any visitors to get fed and watered,’ Jimmy said.

‘Plus, the public houses are there for those who wish to participate in a beer, with most serving snacks and food.

‘We also advise people to travel by public transport, as parking is at a premium in Peel.’