FOR 34 years his luck has held out - but on Sunday former lifeboatman Derek Williams had to admit defeat and give in to the weather. Organising his final Blue Anchor to Minehead RNLI raft race before stepping down from the role and with crews already lining up on the beach for the start he found himself having to call off the event. Derek's decision came after he and members of Minehead lifeboat crew had checked conditions over the three-mile course: "They were dreadful," said Derek. "We knew the wind had been forecast but what we really didn't expect were the sea conditions that it created off Warren Point. "It was immediately clear to us that, with three to four foot waves building there, very few of the rafts would have been able to cope and to let them start at all would have been reckless. "There have been one or two times over the years when it has been a borderline decision as to whether the race should go ahead or not and we've waited until the very last minute before saying 'yes'. "But this year there was no question at all. The RNLI is all about sea safety and on occasions such as this safety absolutely must come first." However, all but two of the 26 teams scheduled to set off from Blue Anchor readily agreed to join the novelty rafts racing over a more sheltered, one-mile course from Minehead Golf Club to the harbour. Derek said: "Some of them had travelled halfway across the country to race and many of them have been taking part for years. They were determined to compete if they possibly could." Minehead lifeboat crew is assembling a fresh team to take over the running of the event next year. But Minehead RNLI chairman Bryan Stoner said the station and the institution owed Derek a huge vote of thanks for his involvement. "To take on running one event like this is a challenge in itself but to do so flawlessly and enthusiastically for 35 years is an amazing achievement," he said. "The new team are only just becoming aware of the amount of organisation involved and of the fact that planning next year's event must start now. "Running the raft race has really been a 12 months a year job for Derek and his family. "We just hope he will enjoy sitting back and being a spectator next year. He's certainly earned a break!" Over the years the race has raised nearly £300,000 for RNLI funds. This year's event, which was followed by the traditional fireworks display on the harbour, will add several thousand more to the total. Results in the Free Press. Photos: Paul Scullion