Viking Longboat World Championship registration opens

Each longboat weighs around 2.5 tonnes

More than 70 teams are expected to sign up for the 49th Viking Longboat World Championship next month.

The competition has classes for all-male, all-female and mixed teams who take part in a time trial-style race in Peel.

Organiser James Lee said: "It's a tough challenge but it's also a lot of fun to row these amazing longboats."

Each of the four longboats is made from fibreglass and requires a team of ten people to row during the races.

Teams must complete two practice runs prior to the event to get used to using the 11ft oars.

Earlier this month, a Manx Viking longship, the Vital Spark, represented the Isle of Man in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in London.