Entries Open for 2026 RYA Eric Twiname Championships

 

Applications are now open for the 2026 RYA Eric Twiname Youth & Junior Team Racing Championships, one of the UK's leading youth team racing events. The annual championship will take place at Oxford Sailing Club on 10–11 October, bringing together teams from sailing clubs, schools and organisations for a weekend of tactical racing and shoreside activities. 

Competition will be held across three age groups. The Youth (Under 19) championship features three-versus-three racing in Fireflies, while the Junior (Under 17) and Super Junior (Under 15) events use RS Fevas in two-versus-two racing. Unlike fleet racing, team racing rewards teamwork and tactical awareness as much as boat speed.

"Success comes from combining boat handling, tactical awareness and rules knowledge to secure the best overall team result, creating exciting racing where every decision matters," said RS Sailing Training & Fleet Sales Executive Jake Elsbury.

With all  boats supplied by the organisers, competitors race on equal terms, placing the emphasis on sailing ability rather than equipment. 

Elsbury said the event is also known for its strong social atmosphere, with short races allowing sailors to spend time both competing and catching up with friends ashore. The 2025 championship attracted 62 teams and featured almost 160 races over two days, and organisers expect strong demand again this year.

The championship is organised by the RYA in partnership with the Eric Twiname Trust, which has supported junior sailing for decades through funding and development initiatives. Alongside the championships, the Trust continues to back the subsidised Eric Twiname Scheme, helping UK sailing clubs purchase RS Fevas and RS Teras for youth training and racing.

"Since the Eric Twiname Scheme began in 2011, RS Sailing has delivered more than 350 boats to sailing clubs across the UK, helping create more opportunities for young people to develop their skills, gain confidence and enjoy lifelong participation in the sport," Elsbury added.

Clubs wishing to enter the championships or apply for the subsidy scheme are encouraged to submit applications early, as funding is often oversubscribed.

All set for the 64th Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy

 

More than 200 boats, over 40 classes and competitors from across Britain will descend on Ullswater this weekend for one of the UK's most iconic sailing events.

The countdown is almost over.

This weekend, Ullswater Yacht Club will welcome a capacity fleet for the 64th Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy, with more than 200 boats representing over 40 classes travelling from clubs across England, Scotland and the Isle of Man to compete in Britain's most celebrated inland all class handicap race.

From International 14s, 49ers and Musto Skiffs to Flying Fifteens, Enterprises, GP14s, Tempests, VX Ones, SB20s, RS400s, Fireballs and cruising keelboats, few events anywhere in the UK bring together such a diverse mix of boats on one start line. It is that unique blend of elite performance sailing, club racing and enduring camaraderie that has helped establish the Birkett as the "Holy Grail" of inland sailing and, for many competitors, the "Glastonbury of Sailing".

First raced in 1963, the event was created in memory of Lord Norman Birkett, whose famous speech in the House of Lords helped save Ullswater from becoming a reservoir in the early 1960s. His efforts preserved the natural beauty of the lake for future generations and secured his place in both the history of Ullswater and the yacht club that proudly bears his legacy.

The sold-out race is another milestone for the volunteer-led event, becoming the earliest sell-out in the history of the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy, which won the RYA Event of the Year in 2025 for Ullswater Yacht Club.

This year's race demonstrates the national appeal of the event, with competitors travelling from sailing clubs stretching from Hayling Island on the south coast to Largs in western Scotland, alongside strong contingents from Yorkshire, the Midlands, North Wales, Cumbria and the North East. Whether racing a modern skiff, classic dinghy, sportsboat or cruising keelboat, every competitor will share the same spectacular long distance race around one of Britain's most picturesque inland waters.

Away from the racing, competitors and supporters can look forward to a full weekend programme centred around the famous Birkett atmosphere. The clubhouse and on-site catering will be available throughout the weekend, while the ever-popular marquee will once again host live music on both Friday and Saturday evenings, providing the social occasion that has become synonymous with the Birkett experience.

This year's event will also celebrate an important piece of Birkett history with the official opening of the newly named Norman Birkett Bar. Victoria Cliff Hodges, granddaughter of Lord Norman Birkett, will attend as guest of honour, joining members and competitors for the ceremony following Saturday's racing.

The redesigned bar now features heritage displays, historical photography and a new Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Roll of Honour, celebrating every overall winner from the inaugural event in 1963 through to 2025.

Together they recognise the sailors, classes and clubs that have helped shape one of Britain's most prestigious sailing events over more than six decades.

Jack Allan, General Manager at Ullswater Yacht Club, said:

"We are incredibly excited to welcome competitors and volunteers to Ullswater for the 64th Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy. The Birkett is unlike any other regatta on the sailing calendar. You have Olympic-inspired skiffs launching alongside classic dinghies, family crews, keelboats and national champions, all sharing the same race.

The fact that this year's regatta sold out earlier than ever before is a tremendous endorsement of the volunteers, members, sponsors and sailors who continue to make it so special. We can't wait to see the fleet back on Ullswater for what promises to be another memorable weekend of outstanding racing and first-class camaraderie."

John Robinson, President of Ullswater Yacht Club, said:

"The Birkett has a magic unlike anything else. Every sailor who has raced here understands why people keep coming back. The fact this year's event sold out earlier than ever before demonstrates just how special the Birkett has become and is a wonderful reflection of everyone who has helped build its reputation over so many years."

As the fleet prepares to launch onto Ullswater once again, another chapter is about to be written in the history of an event that continues to attract the very best of British inland sailing. For the hundreds of competitors making the journey this weekend, simply taking to the start line means becoming part of a story spanning more than six decades, made possible by generations of volunteers whose commitment continues to make one of Britain's greatest sailing events possible.

Looking ahead, the 65th Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy will take place on 3-4 July 2027. Keep an eye out for further information as preparations begin for another memorable weekend of racing on Ullswater.

New Forest students complete five-day sailing trip

 

A group of students have completed a confidence-building sailing voyage on the open sea.

The five-day expedition on the Rona II yacht saw Year 10 students from Lift New Forest travel along the south coast as part of the Rona Sailing Project.

Funded by the Olivia Inspires charity, the trip aimed to develop teamwork and life skills through hands-on experience at sea.

Students took part in sailing duties, navigation support, cooking, cleaning, and night watches.

One student said: "It's moments like this when everyone is eating together that I feel so grateful that I've been able to experience this. It's nice to see everyone's enjoying it."

Charlotte Warren, director of sport and PE at Lift New Forest, said: "We are hugely grateful to Olivia Inspires for funding this trip, which opened up a truly transformative experience for our pupils.

"The Rona Sailing Project team were outstanding throughout, and I couldn't be prouder of our students for how they embraced every challenge."

Hayling Island Sailing Club will host the 505 World Championship, opening the regatta with a UK Nationals/Pre Worlds event this Friday 3 July.

 

The 2026 World Championship will start Monday 6 July with over 90 crews entered from nine countries.

The last time the Championship was held at HISC was in 2006 when home club members Mark Upton-Brown and Ian Mitchell won the title.

Mitchell will be sailing with Roger Gilbert this time, and will be looking to add the Worlds to their recent European title.  Last British winners were Ian Pinnell and Carl Gibbon in 2008 in Palermo. Pinnell is sailing with Robert Woelfel this year.

Other home favourites include Paul Brotherton and James Fawcett, winners of the recent Euro Cup event at Lake Garda, and current UK Champions Mike Sims and Carl Gibbon.

And returning to the class is four times World Champion Peter Colclough, more than thirty years after his last World Championship win.

The front of the fleet is set to be ultra-competitive with top Australian team Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne looking to regain the title they last won in Sweden two years ago.

Up against them will be the best German team Jan-Philipp Hofmann and Felix Björn Brockerhoff who have come so close to winning their first World Championship and have been the form team across Europe for the past few years.

Multiple World Champions Mike Holt and Carl Smit, along with the legendary Howie Hamlin and Andy Zinn will be leading the challenge from the USA.

Sailing club hosts successful weekend of events despite heatwave

 

The Redwing fleet from Tenby Sailing Club battled patchy, variable winds and 'holes' near Monkstone.

The fleet raced a port course to the Waterwynch mark and then to Eastern and back.

On the upwind leg out near Eastern, there was enough wind at times to get crews out on the wire.

After two laps, the standings were: 244 first, 228 second, 178 third, and 241 fourth.

The sailors finished with post-race discussions, drinks, and tapas at the club.

Tenby also hosted the latest in the series of RYA Welsh Dragon junior racing events last weekend.

Saturday saw 10 junior sailors take part in a race training day led by RYA coach Rhys Bromhall.

The focus was on starting sequences, mark rounding, and hiking in the strong winds throughout the day.

13 sailors took on two races in gusty conditions on Sunday morning, followed by a third race after lunch.

The overall results for the junior handicap were: first Isabelle Nuttall, second Harry Hayden, and third Archie Hayden.

For the training handicap, the results were: first Poppy Burton, second Iestyn Day, and third Nia Jenkins.

The events aim to give junior sailors a 'fun and supportive introduction into dinghy racing whilst also improving sailing techniques and building confidence with other sailors from clubs across the region.'

Titan Spirits Clyde One Design Regatta Returns to Gourock

 

One of the Clyde's favourite sailing events is making a welcome return as the Titan Spirits Clyde One Design Regatta prepares to bring competitive racing, spectacular scenery and a vibrant sailing community back to Gourock this weekend.

Following its previous successes, the regatta will once again welcome crews from across Scotland, with fleets of one-design yachts battling it out in the renowned waters of the Firth of Clyde. Hosted from Royal Gourock Yacht Club, the event promises a weekend of close racing, camaraderie and celebration both on and off the water.

The return of Titan Spirits as title sponsor highlights the company's continued commitment to supporting Scottish sailing and local sporting events. Stuart Drake, Chief Operations Officer, Founder and Director, "We are delighted to once again sponsor the Clyde One Design Regatta at the Royal Gourock Yacht Club. It is fantastic to see the event continue to grow year after year, reflecting the enthusiasm and dedication of everyone involved. We wish all of the Event Committee and competitors every success for what promises to be a wonderful day of racing and celebration on the water".

The River Clyde, long regarded as one of the UK's premier sailing venues, is expected to provide exciting conditions for competitors and race officials have planned a series of coastal courses that will provide excellent viewing opportunities for spectators along the Gourock shoreline. With entries across five different one-design classes, the regatta is anticipated to deliver closely fought racing throughout the weekend.

Beyond the racing, the regatta will feature a lively social programme, giving sailors, volunteers, supporters and visitors the opportunity to celebrate the sport while enjoying the hospitality of the host clubs and sponsors.

Duncan Munro, Committee Chairman, "We're delighted to welcome everyone back for the Titan Spirits Clyde One Design Regatta. This event has become an important fixture in the Scottish sailing calendar, bringing together experienced racers, emerging talent and enthusiastic supporters. I'd like to thank Titan Spirits and all of the other supporting sponsors, clubs and volunteers that help make the event such a great success. We look forward to another memorable weekend of yacht racing on the Clyde."

Sea Cadets Ready For 2026 Tall Ships Races Challenge

 

Twenty-six Sea Cadets from across the UK will represent their country in this summer's Tall Ships Races aboard the sail training brig TS Royalist. With an average age of just 17, the crew will be among the youngest in the international fleet. The youngest cadet will celebrate their 15th birthday only days before joining the race.

The Tall Ships Races celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2026. This year also marks 60 years since Sea Cadets first entered the event in 1966, helping inspire the development of the charity's offshore training fleet.

Built in 2015 and based in Gosport, TS Royalist was designed specifically for youth sail training. The vessel carries up to 24 cadets and provides practical experience in seamanship, teamwork and leadership.

The fleet will visit Northern European ports including Harlingen, Antwerp and Stavanger, where large crowds are expected to welcome the competing ships.

Cadet Corporal Evan, from Maidenhead Royal Marines Cadets, said the experience extends well beyond sailing. "It's about leadership, teamwork and being part of something bigger than yourself. Everyone brings their own skills, but you have to come together as one crew." Reflecting on the challenges of sail training, he added, "You can't control the wind, but you can adjust your sails. Sea Cadets teaches you to stay calm, control your response and lead under pressure."

Alongside the Royalist crew, a further nine Sea Cadets will sail aboard the Portuguese tall ship Vera Cruz as part of an international crew, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event.

Sea Cadets says the Tall Ships Races continue to provide young people with practical experience, resilience and confidence through life at sea while acting as ambassadors for the UK on the international stage.

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails Thames Series at Tamesis Club

 

The Merlin Rocket fleet arrived at Tamesis Club  for one of the season's most distinctive events, with the Craftinsure Silver Tiller joined by the Sondown Cup, Porteous Cup and Southcott Cups forming the Rowsell Sails Thames Series, Craftinsure Vintage Series and the Classic Series event. After many competitors had already enjoyed a full day's racing in Saturday's Tideway Dinghy Derby, another day of tactical Thames racing awaited.

The outlook on Sunday morning was far from encouraging. A hesitant north-north-easterly left the river almost glassy as crews rigged eighteen Merlins before retreating to the clubhouse for bacon sandwiches, coffee and plenty of discussion over whether racing would be possible at all. Race Officer Peter Fryer wisely postponed proceedings while waiting for the breeze to settle, but shortly before midday the wind finally filled sufficiently to get racing under way.

A downstream river course, with all marks left to port, produced classic Tamesis racing where every shift, gust and patch of tide offered opportunities to gain - or lose - several places. The compact fleet remained closely contested throughout the day with positions changing continuously as crews searched for pressure across the river.

The event also attracted several competitors fresh from the Tideway Dinghy Derby, with Rob and Hatty Cage, Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan returning after Saturday's racing, while Ollie Houseman swapped crews for Peter Impey for the day.

Andy Harris and Lyra Wade, sailing Crescendo, mastered the opening race to record the first win of the day before the fleet returned ashore for lunch. With the breeze now more established, the final two races were sailed back-to-back during the afternoon, providing a fitting conclusion to a highly competitive meeting.

Richard Harris and Sara Warren, sailing Passing Cloud, found another gear in the afternoon, producing two race victories to secure the overall event honours. Consistency throughout the fleet meant that every position mattered, with close racing from start to finish ensuring the Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails points remained hard earned.

Following racing, competitors gathered in the clubhouse where Vice Commodore Ros Warwick-Haller presented the prizes before sailors enjoyed tea, chocolate cake and refreshments from the bar while discussing another memorable day on the Tideway the day before

Tamesis Sailing Club and the Merlin Rocket Owners' Association extends thanks to Merlin Class Captain Rob Hatley, Rear Commodore Sailing Peter Impey and Honorary Sailing Secretary Joe Woods for coordinating the event, together with Race Officer Peter Fryer and Pauline Fryer, Sean and Bethan Roberts on patrol boat duty, and the kitchen and bar volunteers led by Nim Harris, Jacqui Harris, Sally Warwick-Haller and Carolyne Vines, whose efforts ensured a warm welcome both afloat and ashore.

1st ST, Thames & Vintage Series (plus ST Silver Fleet Winner) Richard Harris & Sara Warren

2nd ST, Thames & Vintage Series Andrew Harris & Lyra Wade

3rd ST, Thames & Vintage Series (plus ST Bronze Fleet Winner) Ollie Houseman & Peter Impey

1st Junior Lyra Wade

The next Craftinsure Silver Tiller is at Burton Sailing CLub on Sunday 28th June the event is also a combined Vintage and Classic Series event. The Next Rowsell Sails Thames Series event is at Upper Thames Sailing Club on Sunday 6th September as part of the classes 80th Celebrations.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Boat Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3

1st 1079 Passing Cloud Richard Harris Sara Warren Tamesis SC (2) 1 1

2nd 607 Crescendo Andy Harris Lyra Wade Tamesis SC 1 2 (3)

3rd 3560 Luka Ollie Haouseman Peta Impey Chew Valley Lake SC (4) 3 2

4th 1692 Hullabaloo Rob Cage Hatty Cage Thames SC 3 5 (DNS)

5th 1097 Flinkidink Stuart Jenkins Nicola Scaddan Hampton SC (6) 4 5

6th 1357 Chimp David Baker Jameson Buchanon Tamesis SC (DNS) 7 4

7th 995 Masquarade Matt Peregrine‑Jones Arthmo Peregrine‑Jones Tamesis SC 5 (8) 6

8th 522 Magician Tim Barr Alistair Banks Tamesis SC 8 6 (DNS)

9th 1602 Saltarello John Adams Ros W‑Hallow Tamesis SC (9) 9 7

10th 1136 Shoestring Peter Schoss Paul Jamison Tamesis SC (13) 11 8

11th 1004 Avenger Kim Duffell Joe Woods Tamesis SC 12 10 (DNS)

12th 3675 White Sorcerer Rob Hatley Lucy Hatley Tamesis SC 10 12 (DNF)

13th 3653 Artemis Joe McCauglin Max McCauglin Tamesis SC 7 (DNS) DNS

14th 1605 Omega Rupert Fletcher James Berry Tamesis SC 11 (DNS) DNS

15th 2431 Connie Tim Ginn Jim Hamilton Tamesis SC 14 (DNS) DNS

A combined relaxed sailing adventure with quiet anchorages, medieval villages, beaches, and excellent food

 

Day 1 – Chios Town to Karfas

A gentle first sail lets everyone settle into the boat.

On shore

Relax on Karfas' sandy beach.

Swim or paddleboard in calm water.

Sunset drinks along the promenade.

Dinner featuring fresh octopus and local white wine.

Overnight

Anchor off the bay or use local moorings if available.

Day 2 – Karfas to Emporios

Sail south along the east coast before rounding into one of Chios' prettiest harbours.

On shore

Walk to Mavra Volia, the famous black volcanic pebble beach.

Visit the nearby mastic-producing villages.

Sample locally produced mastic liqueur and sweets.

Short walk through olive groves.

Evening

Harbour taverna overlooking the fishing boats.

Day 3 – Emporios to Limenas Mesta

A short passage leaves plenty of time ashore.

On shore

Explore Mesta, one of Greece's finest preserved fortified medieval villages.

Highlights include:

Labyrinth streets

Byzantine churches

Small artisan shops

Traditional cafés

Local cheeses and mastic products

Stay long enough to wander after the day visitors have left.

Day 4 – Mesta to Elinda Bay

A peaceful anchorage on the west coast.

Activities

Snorkelling in exceptionally clear water

Paddleboarding

Coastal walk among pine-covered hills

Sunset from the cliffs

This is one of the quietest nights of the cruise with very little development ashore.

Day 5 – Elinda Bay to Volissos

Continue north along the rugged west coast.

On shore

Visit Volissos Castle for panoramic views.

Then enjoy:

Traditional village streets

Small bakery

Local honey

Excellent seafood tavernas

Nearby beaches such as Lefkathia are worth a swim before dinner.

Day 6 – Volissos to Langada

Sail around the northern tip of Chios.

Langada is an authentic fishing harbour that feels very different from the tourist resorts.

On shore

Walk the harbour at sunset.

Watch local fishing boats return.

Seafood dinner specialising in lobster pasta (season permitting).

Evening stroll to nearby coves.

If conditions are calm you could instead anchor off one of the small bays north of Langada for a quieter night.

Day 7 – Langada to Chios Town

A relaxed final sail back to base.

If time allows before disembarkation:

Visit Nea Moni of Chios, renowned for its remarkable 11th-century mosaics.

Wander the old Turkish quarter.

Browse local food shops for mastic products, citrus preserves and ouzo.

Enjoy one last coffee on the waterfront.

Optional day trip to Psara

If your crew enjoys longer passages and the weather is settled, you could replace Days 4–5 with an overnight visit to Psara. The crossing is around 22 nautical miles each way, making it a rewarding but more demanding addition with excellent swimming, quiet anchorages and a wonderfully traditional atmosphere.

Seasonal sailing notes

Summer Meltemi winds can exceed 25 knots, especially around the northern capes.

The west coast generally offers more secluded anchorages than the east.

Fuel, water and provisions are easiest to obtain in Chios Town; stock up before departure.

Daily passages in this itinerary range from approximately 6–18 nautical miles, leaving plenty of time for swimming and exploring ashore rather than spending the whole day under sail.

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Celebrating 90 years of the National 12

 

The National 12 class, the boat that brought dinghy racing to the masses, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, with a number of events planned to mark the occasion.

The celebrations begin on 18th and 19th July at Royal Harwich Yacht Club, with the fourth event of the National Series, an anniversary dinner and a special pursuit race.

For the pursuit race, boat age will determine each boat's handicap, creating an opportunity for boats from across the class's history to compete on a more even footing. With 90 years of development represented on the water, it should provide a fitting way to mark the anniversary.

The Saturday evening dinner will offer National 12 sailors, past and present, as well as friends of the class, the opportunity to come together and celebrate 90 years of National 12 sailing.

The celebrations will continue at the National Championships, Burton Week, which this year will be hosted by Shoreham Sailing Club from Saturday 29th August to Tuesday 1st September.

Burton Week is always a highlight of the National 12 calendar, with four days of racing, the Sir William Burton Cup endurance race, the Burton Week Dinner and prize-giving, alongside a full programme of social events (yet to be announced).

Shoreham Sailing Club last hosted Burton Week in 2021 and will welcome the fleet back for what is expected to be a memorable anniversary championship. The event will include racing on the sea, a large fleet, prizes across a range of boat designs and crew categories, and the annual Burton Week Dinner at Sussex Yacht Club.

Further information and entry details are available through the Burton Week 2026 website.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the anniversary events, or with National 12 sailing more generally, is encouraged to contact the class. Whether you are looking to borrow a boat, find a crew, offer crewing, or simply try a National 12 for the first time, the National 12 Owners' Association can be contacted at ntoa@national12.org.

The Clippers are coming!

The Clipper Race Fleet is on its way to Oban after departing the shores of Washington DC last week. 

The race’s 10 day stopover in the USA capital ended on June 22 with all 10 teams now a third of the way through their transatlantic sail, the penultimate leg on their year long race around the globe. 

Team Scotland have slipped to fourth in the leaderboard after 8th and 9th placed finishes across the last two legs, two points behind London Business School for a podium position. 

Skippered by Heather Thomas with support from first mate Millie Apperley, the Oban sponsored team have done incredibly well on their first race.

They will be hoping for a big finish on their homecoming leg, which is expected to result in rapturous celebrations here in Oban. And it is looking likely that will happen! 

At the moment Scotland sit in first place on this current leg, 1.8 nautical miles ahead of the chasing pack. 

Yachts are expected to sail into town between July 10 and 12, marking the start of the festival of the sea, which will end with their departure on July 19 from Dunstaffnage Marina. 

From there they complete the final leg to Portsmouth, where the winner will be crowned. 

Annandale Sailing Club celebrates its 70th anniversary

 

As Annandale Sailing Club gears up to celebrate its 70th anniversary with a weekend of racing and a party on June 27 -28, we take a look back at its history, from ‘the small band of adventurers’ who launched it at Lochmaben, to its celebrity supporters, and the passionate volunteers who are keeping it buoyant for a new generation

Seventy years ago, a small band of adventurers decided to launch a sailing club on the shores of Castle Loch, Lochmaben.

They included a farmer, a fishmonger, a roofer, a medical consultant and a car salesman - most of whom had no previous sailing experience.

One of them, Bruce Beveridge, who owned the Crown Hotel in Lockerbie, did have some sailing know-how, having been a member of Clyde Cruising Club at Bardowie Loch near Glasgow and it occurred to him that the not dissimilar Castle Loch, had great untapped potential. Annandale Yacht Club (later changed to Annandale Sailing Club) officially opened in 1956 with the main aim of dinghy racing and members learned through trial and error, with no official training. They settled on GP14 dinghies as the most suitable boat class and most members built their own.

The early clubhouse was a tiny, derelict curling bothy but that gradually developed with a major expansion in 1970, a new boatshed appearing in 2005, extended changing rooms in the mid-2000s, and most recently a new training room and balcony added to the front.

ASC has survived flooding, new housing developments growing up around it and even, in 1989, almost losing the land it sits on when the site it had leased for 20 years was put up for sale, with a price tag of about £13,000.

With only £1,000 in the bank and less than a year to raise the required sum, things were looking grim for the club. But, at the eleventh hour, thanks to the hard work and initiative of the committee, headed up by the then Commodore Alasdair Cook, enough was raised by members’ loans, to buy the site and secure the club’s future.

Like most sailing clubs, training has been key to Annandale’s longevity and, without doubt, the club’s most memorable training day rounded off the 50th anniversary in 2006, when members welcomed double Olympic gold medallist and broadcaster Shirley Robertson on a sunny September day.

Membership at Annandale SC has, like most sports clubs, ebbed and flowed over the past six decades. In 1974 it was growing so fast, the committee discussed setting a limit on the number of new members and boats and it reached a peak of 300 in 1976.

Just seven years later it had declined to 105 and finances were said to be in a ‘serious state’.

These days, membership sits at around 100 and is relatively stable, though the committee is always keen to encourage more young people and families in to safeguard the club’s future.

Current Commodore Trudie Mitchell, who joined the club in 2016, says: “Growing the club is always a challenge but over the past few years we’ve had parents coming in, following their children, realising they can learn to sail too.

“I’m so thankful to the club for being there over the years. I love the feeling of racing and being supported by a friendly club, catching up afterwards with a cuppa and a chat, and I get great pleasure from coaching, seeing our young sailors learn to sail, develop and race their own boats and knowing I have been part of that journey.

“The next 70 years will bring more change, but the club will adapt, move with the times, and can look forward to many more years to come.”

Annandale Sailing Club is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a weekend of racing and a party, on June 27 /28. For more information about membership and training see 

 www.annandalesailingclub.myclubhouse.co.uk

New sailing boats proving popular at Stanborough Park

 

Since arriving at Stanborough Park, the new fleet of sailing boats funded by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has been a great success, supporting a wide range of activities.

The boats have been in frequent use by schools, holiday programmes and community groups, and were a popular part of the recent This Girl Can Week activities, the Sport England initiative that champions physical activity for women and girls. They will also continue to be regularly used for the Youth Holiday Sailing programme, school bookings and community sessions.

Among the groups benefiting from the new fleet is Heathlands School for the deaf, whose pupils attend Stanborough Park weekly to work towards their Stage 1 Sailing Qualification. The boats are also used by Home Education Groups and students who may not be in mainstream education, helping to make sailing accessible to a wider range of people.

The 18 boats replaced the older fleet which had come to the end of its useful lifespan. The council’s total investment in the new boats came to just over £62,000.

Councillor Max Holloway, Executive Member, Community & Leisure, said:

“The sailing facilities have always been a great attraction for visitors of Stanborough Park. Now, the sailing experience will be even better, with the new boats in use for the start of the sailing season and summer holidays! We were very pleased to be able to fund and supply these new boats to GLL, our leisure partner, who do a brilliant job of running lessons and activities for many sections of the local community. This new fleet of boats should provide a lot of educational fun for many years to come!”

Emily Nicholls, General Manager, Outdoor Facilities at Stanborough Park, said:

“The new fleet of boats has been a fantastic addition to Stanborough Lakes, and their bright yellow sails look beautiful on the water. They are extremely stable and user-friendly, making our sailing courses easier and safer, and the team love using them".