A battle against weight and weather in Guernsey’s Strongest

The annual event returned for its eighth year, with nearly 40 contenders taking on a range of challenges.

An extra challenge was the weather, with torrential rain making the deadlift ladder extra tough, with little shelter available on the Cambridge Berth, overlooking the harbour. Then by early afternoon the sun came out and was baking down on competitors.

Event co-ordinator Gail Girard said that despite the weather the event was going well. Earlier in the day they had to dry equipment with towels as they went.

‘There has been a brilliant crowd and it was amazing,’ she said.

‘It’s been going very well.’

There were a couple of UK competitors, including Bob Santrian, 50, from Somerset, competing in the over-50s category.

He had visited Guernsey before on holiday, but this was his first time in Guernsey’s Strongest. He was pleased with his sandbag toss, in which he managed to throw an 18kg bag over the 4.2m high marker.

‘It is more about technique than weight, and it went OK,’ he said.

‘It is a beautiful setting for the competition. Normally competitions like this are somewhere like a Sainsbury’s car park.’

Shirena Toms, 61, was the oldest competitor.

She had set herself the challenge of competing in the event as part of her 60th year.

‘I only first stepped into the gym when I was 57,’ she said.

‘This is my first competition, and the support from everyone has been fantastic.’

Her daughter, who lives in Australia, has done some weightlifting in the past and had given her tips.

On the day, her daughter was watching the live-streamed competition on the other side of the world.

Harry Le Page, 16, was the youngest competitor.

‘I enjoy the sport and I wanted to see what it would be like to compete,’ he said.

‘The deadlift ladder in the rain made it a lot harder to grip, but I managed to lift it.

‘I have been really enjoying it. I will definitely try it again next year.’