A SPECTACLE of rowing will be seen on the River Blackwater on New Year’s Eve.

The Maldon Little Ship Club will be holding its fortieth sponsored row and gig race to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Taking place on the eve of 2016, the race will begin from the Viking Saga “river cruise” jetty, and will feature more than 50 different crafts on the water.

These will range from stand up paddle boards through to canoes, kayaks and dinghies which do a shorter course, whilst the large four man rowing gigs from the coastal rowing clubs row a longer course down the river, returning to cross the finish line at Promenade Park.

Many crews will be in fancy dress, with the fleet being supported by escort boats from the Blackwater Sailing Club and Sea Cadets.

The West Mersea Lifeboat will also be present, as well as the steam launch Sea Otter which will add to the atmosphere of the nautical charity event.

Things have changed a lot from the first sponsored row in 1977.

With the resurgence of the coastal rowing clubs after the club was founded, the appearance of more and more gigs was a welcome attraction.

However, their size and the competitive nature of their rowing meant that health and safety considerations dictated the need for two separate courses to keep the gigs apart from the other rowers, which still stands today.

The club’s “Row Race”, as it is affectionately called, has always been a fun event where fancy dress and an element of competition is encouraged making the row a popular Christmas time family event often watched by thousands who turn out to Maldon’s Prom and Hythe quay for the spectacle.

The enthusiastic sponsorship from the rowers and the generosity of the watching public raised £11500 last year making a total of £189,862 raised by the event to date.

This has helped to fund the lifeboat service and also made a big contribution directly to the shortfall in the funding of the new West Mersea lifeboat.

The row race will take place on Saturday December 31 from 12.30pm and can be watched from Promenade Park.

Visit mlsc.org.uk.