FOUR hundred spectators are unlikely to forget as they cheered on 16 waterlogged competitors in an impromptu bath-tub race across Watchet’s outer harbour last Sunday.

Competitors in plastic baths paddled around a figure-of-eight course between two large buoys: “There was a big bung in the bottom of the baths, and the idea was for competitors to jump into each other’s baths and pull the plug out,” said Terry Walker, who adjudicated at the event with his wife Maggie. .

“If you couldn’t get it back in again you were sunk in every sense of the word.

“Out of the 16, only two managed to stay afloat at the end. It was great fun and the spectators really enjoyed it.”

The baths were provided by Watchet builder and electrician Ian Wedlake, who had collected them over the years when he had replaced them with modern models. They were fitted with outriggers and buoyancy.

Pictures and full story in this week’s Free Press (August 25)