Forget that little matter of the annual boat race between Oxford and Cambridge on the Thames, it’s the Welsh Varsity Boat Race that grabs the attention of students, lecturers and alumni at Cardiff and Swansea University as Owen Morgan reports.

The Welsh Varsity Boat Race may not have the glamour and tradition of its Oxford v Cambridge counterpart, but what it lacks in worldwide prestige, it makes up for in sheer effort and enthusiasm.

For those students and spectators crowded onto Swansea’s Sail Bridge last Saturday afternoon, the races between Cardiff and Swansea Universities were just as important as those fought out in London.

Many of Cardiff’s supporters were resplendent in their red, white and black boating blazers and as you squinted in the spring summer sunshine sparkling off the river, it would have been easy to mistake the Tawe for the Thames.

The event has been growing in popularity year on year. Initially contested on a Wednesday afternoon, the event was switched to a Saturday in 2010 due to the increase in popularity amongst students, families and alumni eager to watch the race.

Swansea were bidding for their fifth win in a row in the blue riband senior men’s race, which would give them a seven to six overall lead in the series which started with a Cardiff win back in 2006.

In ideal conditions, the teams set off from Hafod Copperworks, near the Liberty Stadium, on the 1.6km course.

The home eight took an early lead, which they were never to relinquish. As the crews came into view of the hundreds of spectators gathered on the sail bridge, Swansea were well ahead.

The cheering green-clad students gathered on the bridge and lining the footpaths on either side of the river, were able to start their celebrations early as their team continued to stay clear and finish comfortable winners as they passed under the landmark bridge near the city’s marina.

Following the presentation of the cup to the winning crew, the victory was celebrated in the traditional manner of throwing the winning team’s cox into the river.

Earlier in the afternoon the two universities’ women’s crews did battle over the same course.

This race had been completely dominated by Cardiff with their ladies having won all of the 12 previous meetings since 2006.

However, it was the Swansea crew which made the early running and as the two boats came into view of the finishing line they were still ahead.

Cardiff, though, were in no mood to relinquish their 100 per cent record and finally overcame a tiring Swansea eight in the last quarter of the race to eventually reach the sail bridge with clear water between them and their opponents.

Two novice events were also contested as part of the day’s racing with Cardiff’s women winning their contest, while Swansea’s men took their race after Cardiff’s crew pushed themselves on the bank. A mixed alumni race was won by Cardiff.

The Welsh Varsity Boat Race forms part of the annual Welsh Varsity challenge which sees Cardiff and Swansea universities compete against each other across more than 30 sports for the Welsh Varsity Shield, which was last year won by Swansea.

The majority of this year’s events will take place this Wednesday, April 25, across Swansea University’s Sports Village on Sketty Lane, culminating in the showpiece rugby match between the two universities at the city’s Liberty Stadium.

The annual fixture, played alternately at the Principality Stadium and the Liberty Stadium, regularly attracts higher attendances than the majority of Welsh regional matches.

A full schedule of this year’s fixtures and venues can be found on the Welsh Varsity website.