Participants near Abermule

Extreme weather conditions left 40 brave crews battling to stay afloat on a Powys waterway at an event to promote the canal.

The annual Dinghy Dawdle took place yesterday despite heavy rain and strong winds leaving many competitors struggling.

The crews tackled a stretch of the Montgomery Canal between Penllwyn Lodges, near Garthmyl, and Aberbechan, near Newtown.

The event was organised by the Shropshire Union Canal Society and The Friends of the Montgomery Canal.

Terry Wain, of the Shropshire Union Canal Society and dawdle organiser, said he was pleased with the turnout despite the weather. He said: “It was more like extreme dawdling than usual, but we managed to get by and brave the elements, which were really not in our favour.

“There were 40 crews, which was down from the 50 we were expecting, but still very respectable considering the weather.”

Mr Wain said boaters were used all kinds of craft to navigate and negotiate the length of the canal. Participants were also given the option to travel for the first time to Freestone Lock, the nearest lock to Newtown.

He said: “It was great fun and successful in the way of promoting the canal and raising some funds.

“The conditions were hard and it was difficult for a lot of boaters who had to be strong as they battled the elements, but we are pleased with how it went.”