A flotilla of 13 rowing boats set out from L’Etacq beach in St Ouen, braving tough sea conditions to retrace the route of the families who originally colonised Sark in 1565.
Nine Jersey crews were joined by two teams from Carteret Rowing Club and two crews from Sark, one of which had little experience and was given a quick lesson in coastal rowing before they set off.
As the 12-mile crossing had never been attempted by the Jersey Rowing Club before, the fleet decided to row across together rather than compete, a big contrast to the annual Sark to Jersey Rowing Race. It meant help was quickly at hand when one boat had rudder problems en route.
Jersey Rowing Club Captain Clive Russell said: ‘The crossing was tougher than we expected and was a real challenge all the way across but it was a great example of everyone working together and demonstrating the spirit of the original settlers. We had a warm welcome from the people of Sark when we arrived and it was a great honour to be involved in such a historic event.’
A traditional French doris boat also joined the celebrations, leaving Carteret in the early hours and arriving in Sark seven hours later, with three-man crews rowing in shifts.
The Normandy village was the birthplace of the de Carterets who came to live in Jersey and then on to Sark.
