Broads One Design Weekend at Aldeburgh Yacht Club

 

Nine BODs enjoyed the warm welcome, hospitality and wonderful racing as guests of The Aldeburgh Yacht Club last weekend. Seven boats travelled from NBYC in Wroxham, one from The Cam Sailing Club in Cambridge and the one local BOD based in Aldeburgh.

Aldeburgh provides a beautiful but exciting sailing venue and although there is only a seawall and a beach separating the River Alde and the North Sea the river and estuary journey eight miles downstream before joining up with the River Ore and entering the North Sea.

Strong tides and a windy forecast restricted the races from four to three. Nevertheless long courses made up for the restriction.

Broads One Designs sailing on these open waters in bright late summer sun heralded the two races that were held on Saturday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. At the briefing helms were warned of the dangers of running aground if sailing too close to the banks and to observe meticulously the withie rods further upstream where the river opens up into wide broad like but shallow waters.

Sunday dawned with a mixed forecast of wind and rain although on the water it was not as strong as anticipated. The course began with a mile and a half fetch seawards with once again crews splitting into two groups to avoid the beginning of the flood tide. 

With all three races over the weekend to count the winner of the Islemere Trophy, presented for the BOD travelling series each year, was Chris Aitken in Peregrine crewed by Kate and Laura Aitken with Ben Campbell in Kittiwake crewed by Beth and Jamie Campbell second and Nick Heath in Dipper third.

All those taking part agreed it had been an exciting and very enjoyable weekend sailing in totally different waters and they wished to thank the Aldeburgh Yacht Club for their excellent hospitality and, in particular, the club boatmen for launching and pulling out the boats so efficiently.