Zap cat racing is increasingly popular with extreme sports fans

Neil Oldham and Rob Hickman came third from of a field of 60 in the UK "zap cat" inflatable boats championships.

They also won Rookie of the Year award.

One of the heats for the competition was held at Rhosneigr off Anglesey, and they hope their high placing will help bring the races back to the area.

There are excellent conditions around Anglesey Neil Oldham

Fellow teammates Jim Coley and Mike Snowdon got to twelfth position after the final heats off the Isle of Wight.

"The sun was shining and the sea was flat - that isn't so good for us because the boats like rough conditions but we had a good weekend," said Mr Oldham, who runs Anglesey Motor Marine.

Fourteen boats at a time ran M-shaped courses in the heats.

"There's always a bit of rubbing and a bit of bumping, you have to be careful not to crash or flip over," said Mr Oldham.

He added: "Zap cat racing is the fastest growing power boat sport in the UK.

"The season before last 30 boats were competing in the championships. This time round it was 60."

Adrenalin rush

Competitors battled it out during a dozen heats in Anglesey, Southampton, Littlehampton, Cornwall's Watergate Bay, Cardiff and the Isle of Wight.

Zap cats originated in South Africa, where they were used as surf rescue boats.

He added: "You do get an adrenalin rush. If you hit a buoy you can flip over so you do need your wits about you."

Mr Oldham, who got into the sport only last February, said he was pleased with both teams' high places.

The sport is attracting many new extreme sports fans, with many husband and wife teams competing, said Mr Oldham.

He believed the secret to their success was staying in the boat, despite the conditions, and maintaining good communications as well as being able to physically handle the boat.

"There are excellent conditions around Anglesey and we want to promote the team and have one of the heats here again.

"There are good surf conditions and it is a great venue," he added.