It had to happen – for once the Wells Moat Boat race was blessed with glorious sunshine. Normally the haunt of ducks and swans, dog walkers and courting couples, The normally serene surroundings of the Bishop's Moat were turned into a naval struggle for glory on Bank Holiday Monday.

A huge crowd turned out for the races, one of mid-Somerset's most popular summer events, as fearless buccaneers on all manner of crafts paddling fiercely up and down the moat.

Ninjas, doctors, a selection of military madmen – and women – and a team hidden by a gigantic red box were among the sailors who took to the waters.

While the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price was unable to make an appearance this year, his team kept their end up by piloting the Swan of Wells craft to victory in the Archbishop's Cup.

Crowds gathered along the edge of the moat to shout encouragement to the competitors as they navigated their way around the course, and an entertaining ongoing commentary was provided by Allan Trinder from GFM who managed to continue courageously with a hastily improvised single speaker after the failure of the PA system.

Most of the rafts proved moatworthy, but the red box fell apart after its first outing.

Fortunately Frome Canoe Club were on hand to ensure safe passage.

The sleek torpedo that was the Britamaran promised much, but mounting a four man crew rather than a six man team proved a costly mistake.

A certain amount of gamesmanship backfired on the Ninjas as their efforts to crush the Yellow Submarine caused their own craft to spin out of control.

There were fewer dunkings this year and the competitors were keener to paddle than fight water battles.

And for anyone who wanted a break from the afternoon's racing there were plentiful charity stalls on the adjacent Recreation Ground as well as a range of musical entertainment – and the summer sunshine certainly boosted demand for ice creams and pop.

The event, which is organised by City of Wells Lions Club and the 1955 (City of Wells) Air Cadets, raises money for the two groups, as well as the Bishop of Bath and Wells' chosen charity, which this year was the Integrated Neurological Services.