Isle of Man's RNLI Tug of War Trophy is reclaimed after 36 years

Southern Nomads pulling in the final Credit: RNLI/David Hill

For the first time in 36 years, a team has claimed the RNLI All-Island Beach Tug of war trophy on the Isle of Man.

The competition took place on Sunday 8th August on Chapel Beach Port St Mary, where 14 group used all their strength to claim the hand carved wooden trophy first awarded in 1985.

Taking part in the event were teams from four of the island's RNLI stations, as well as groups from Castletown Ale Drinkers, the Young Farmers men and women, Argon, No. 16, Island Aggregates, the Secret Pizza Company, and the Southern Nomads.

There was also a team from the events sponsors Excel Construction & CoreFix, and an on-the-day team made up of four friends visiting the island and two locals.

The Southern Nomads took the trophy home after a nail-biting final against the Isle of Man’s Young Farmers Men’s team.

It was best of three pulls, with Southern Nomads managing to pull the rope across the line in a time of 40 seconds in the first pull. It took just 11 seconds in the second pull to claim victory.

All the money raised at the event will be donated to the RNLI to support life-saving crews.