TWO intrepid Bere Ferrers sailors battled against 20 foot waves while rounding Britain in an open five metre rigid inflatable boat.

Vernon Smith and Russell Lake were taking part in the Round Britain RIB Race for 4-5 metre boats, having started from the Mountbatten breakwater on June 29 along with 10 other RIBs, of which 9 finished.

Vernon's 15 year-old boat, 'Tiger Shark', was completely rebuilt for the race, with the assistance of fellow villagers Pete and Helen Silcock, and Vernon and Russell had only 2-3 hours sleep per night in the weeks leading up to the event. The boat was finished just in time, with Vernon getting up at 5am on the morning of the start to put the finishing touches. 'The actual race seemed like a holiday after that!' said Vernon.

After leaving Plymouth Sound on the Friday, exposed to the elements with just the protection of their dry suits, Vernon said their first major challenge was whilst rounding the Lizard, where they faced waves of up to 20 feet — 'like driving up the side of your house'.

There were extremely long hours at sea, with often only a few hours sleep in between. The run to Skye meant 18 hours 'driving' with only a brief stop for re-fuelling, but conditions were better off Scotland than they had anticipated. It was the English Channel that was the worst.

'The main disappointment was the weather — we hardly saw any coastline because of rain, mist and drizzle. But we did see wildlife such as puffins, dolphins and seals. One crew also saw a whale and another participant was hit in the face by a gannet,' said Vernon.

Travelling at an average speed of 20 knots, the boats arrived back in Plymouth on the tenth day and the crews were presented with framed certificates and champagne.

Wherever they had stopped they had been given a good reception but all three said the welcome home, firstly at Plymouth and then at Bere Ferrers, had been 'the best'.

Vernon summed up the experience by likening it to 'standing under a cold hosepipe, with someone hitting you on the backside with a cricket bat, while throwing ten pound notes out of your wallet'.

Their back-up on land was Rob Smith, also from Bere Ferrers, who drove 2,750 miles around Britain booking accommodation one stage in advance and carrying spares and jerri-cans to ferry fuel to the boat.

The spares were not needed, said Rob, because Vernon's preparation of the boat and maintenance 'were the best'.

All the boat sustained was a chip to the console — the least damage sustained by any of the boats.

'The scenery, especially the Highlands of Scotland, was fantastic,' said Rob, who promoted the beauty of the Tamar and Tavy at the same time by distributing leaflets wherever he went!

Back home, the Old Plough in Bere Ferrers and pupils of Gulworthy school charted their progress on maps and received postcards from the team.

There are now plans afoot for a Round Ireland race.