Back to boating at Felpham Youth Regatta

Roger Belton from the club reports:

August saw 24 youngsters experiencing tight racing in the eight race series over the four days of Felpham Youth Regatta.

Owen Rowlands, sailing a full rig Laser, scored a couple of bullets and came first in the Cadet Cup Gold Fleet , but in the fickle winds and strong competition he did not have it all his own way. Four other competitors also grabbed the top spot, making the results very close for the first six places. Fin Geri sailing his new Topper came second, with Jim Butler just half a point behind his first full season sailing a Laser Radial having moved up from a RS Tera.In the Silver Fleet Amelie Nicholson sailing a Tera Pro came first, with Annalise Towse in a Topper second, and Henry Long third in a Tera Sport.

Photo - Owen Rowlands in his Laser. Credit Ben Todd.

In one of the races when the wind died, Emily Climpson, also sailing a Topper, showed great patience and strength of character by not giving up. She took an hour and a quarter on her final lap before finishing. The Steve Pearce Trophy for Perseverance and Achievement was awarded to Emily for her monumental effort!

Photo - Emily  Climpson leading the pack in her Topper. Credit Ben Todd.

Race Officer Ross Fisher, ably assisted by Peter Jones, was challenged by the ever changing wind direction but still managed to complete the series. He commented that the racers were very well behaved with no one over the line in any of the starts.

Besides the enthusiastic racers there were small training groups for Beginners, Improvers and Novice Racers, but the social distancing imperative meant that numbers were heavily restricted compared to 2019. Fortunately the weather held with some of the warmest days of summer and the lack of changing rooms and showers was not a problem with briefings and theory sessions being held outside.

Photo - Molly Evans in here Tera Sport. Credit Ben Todd.

Paul Miller, Recognised Training Centre Principal said “It was wonderful to get back to some sort of normality. The youngsters have missed being with their friends so much that to be able to run Youth Regatta, albeit with smaller numbers, in smaller groups and with social distancing created a fun atmosphere for everyone. It was more like a school residential with great community spirit and teamwork. The youngsters really enjoyed getting out sailing, racing, training and having fun. The Instructors, Race Officer team and parent volunteer team are to be congratulated on ensuring a truly memorable event in a difficult year.”

Felpham Sailing Club is a British Youth Sailing Recognised Club, an RYA Recognised Training Centre and OnBoard Centre