UK Scout Sailing Nationals a success for Norfolk

The UK Scout Sailing Nationals held at Wroxham at the weekend were hailed a major success for Norfolk after more than 100 scouts from around the country participated. Local sea scouts taking part in the annual event included 1st Brundall, 8th Norwich, 1st Blofield, 1st Dickleburgh, Victory Explorers North Walsham and Wherry Explorers Wroxham. Organiser Gary Howes said the local scouts had acquitted themselves well in the two day event against some tough national competition. He said: “The event was held at the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club at Wroxham and organised by 1st Blofield and Brundall Sea Scouts and 8th Norwich Sea Scouts.” Mr Howes said just over 100 sea scouts had taken part from around the UK. “We had 101 camping and sailing in total. Other competitors came from South Shields, Whitby, Nottinghamshire, Warwick, Epping Forest and Gosport.” There were 10 trophies on offer across the following categories: Single Handed, Slow Handicap, Fast Handicap in Under 13s, Under 15s, Under 18 and one trophy for the Leaders/Network. “Sailing conditions were difficult with very light winds on both Saturday and Sunday,” said Mr Howes. “The wind did build on Saturday afternoon but Sunday morning saw a postponement while we waited for the wind.” Local winners included: • Daniel Conway of 8th Norwich in the Under 13 Topper class single-hand race; • Toby Pearce of 8th Norwich in the Under 15 Laser class single-hand; • Joe Wootton and Toby Pearce of 8th Norwich in the Under 18 RS Vision class fast hand; and • Ed Cubitt of Victory Explorers North Walsham, Under 18 Laser class single-hand. Mr Howes said the UK Scout Sailing Nationals will be held in South Shields next year. “We are hoping the event will return to NBYC in 2020 as it was a great success. We need to thank everyone who gave their time to ensure it went off so well.” The NBYC is situated on the banks of the Wroxham Broad and promotes all aspects of competitive racing as well as encouraging a more leisurely and relaxed sail. Mr Howes said anyone wanting to join the Scout movement as a youngster or a leader should contact hq@norfolkscouts.org.uk

Sailing championships come to a close in Lyme Regis

A week of mixed weather provided a variety of conditions at sea. One day was lost to a strong south easterly combined with spring tides, and on the final day the sea breeze failed to build. Sailors had to contend with shifts, significant tidal flows and both light airs and strong winds, big waves, swells and choppy cross currents. Close contenders swapped places each day, and a winner’s shirt was worn by each of the three fleet leaders. An international jury of five monitored observance of the Racing Rules of Sailing on the water and dealt with enquiries and protests ashore. A team of 45 club volunteers and guests took charge of race management on the water, under the leadership of race officers Paul Withers and Peter Baldwin, with 13 crewed course and safety boats. The shore team, part of the race committee, organised berthing, launching and retrieval of the fleets swished by harbourmaster Grahame Forshaw and staff, without whose help an event of this size could not have been brought to Lyme. Daily racing was followed by refreshments, locally sourced food; the hog roast and formal dinner proving particularly popular. Bar managers Trish Williams and Sharyn Walker were kept busy and Dan Alsop’s social, programme kept everyone amused. The main sponsors were Gul sailing clothing, Allen dinghy fittings and Otter Brewery, with CoastWaterSports and Mark Hix. An address by chairman David Beer followed presentation of prizes by Commodore Jerry Rook. The competitors appreciated their welcome, the town sailing waters here. Mr Rook has already received personal thanks and congratulated all volunteers for their input demonstrating pride in their club. He also thanked the harbourmaster and staff who put in many hours of preparation, training, clearing up and supported with planning. The club thanks all harbour users and visitors who may have been inconvenienced by heavy use of the slipway and pontoons at certain times during the week. OVERALL RESULTS: 1st, Matt Burge and Dan Schie- ner, Poole YC, 29pts; 2nd, Christian Birrell and Vyv Townend, Bough Beech, 35 pts; 3rd, Ian Dobson and Richard Wagstaff, Burwain SC, 39 pts.

Otley fundraiser to 'sail backward' to highlight plight of those with dementia

AN Otley man who has been inspired by his father’s battle with dementia will be taking part in a unique fundraiser -sailing a dinghy backwards. Matthew Thomas was just six years old when he was taught how to sail by his father, Eric, in a boat he had built in his garage back in 1971. It turned into a lifelong passion for Matthew, 52, the Chief Instructor at Otley Sailing Club, one that he shared with his father. Thirty five years later his father was diagnosed with dementia, which led to a five-year battle with the devastating condition, where he was stripped of his independence and became unrecognisable to those who loved him, before he died aged 84. Inspired by their shared love for the sport, Mr Thomas a production engineer at NG Bailey, is now challenging himself to sail backwards for two hours on his dad’s beloved boat. He says the unusual fundraiser is a way of mirroring the heartbreak caused by dementia, and the sailing session will raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK. What makes the situation even more poignant is that Matthew’s mum, Margaret, is now living with Alzheimer’s. While her symptoms are not in the severe stages yet, Matthew knows from experience what is to come. The father-of-two, from Otley, said: “I didn’t know anything about dementia before my dad was diagnosed, but what I experienced was harrowing. “He was always a very gentle man, but his symptoms made him become violent and he would lash out at people who tried to help. It was horrible to see someone I looked up to, who picked me up when I fell and who taught me so much, having to be cared for like a small child in the end. “This is why I decided to challenge myself to sail backwards, as a way of highlighting what happens when somebody develops dementia. It’s like their mind is working backwards. I also wanted to do something relevant to us – every time I hoist a sail, I remember my dad, and it means a lot to be able to do this in the boat he built.” Employees at NG Bailey voted for Alzheimer’s Research to become this year’s charity partner. Mr Thomas will be sailing around a 140-metre course at Otley Sailing Club on Saturday. His target is to raise £500. To sponsor him, visit ngbailey.everydayhero.com/uk/matt

Restored bothy boasts private jetty and boathouse on stunning west coast of Scotland

AN AMAZING home overlooking a picturesque loch could be yours for £445,000 – complete with its own private jetty and boathouse. The Studio, in Ardpatrick, Argyll, is a dream home for sailors and boat enthusiasts looking for an idyllic location. The incredible property boasts a plot of 1.6 acres, and the house itself is a restored bothy which has been redesigned to give it a more modern feel. The new owner would not only get a two car garage and separate boathouse as part of the sale, but also a private shorefront on West Loch, a long and narrow sea loch on the Kintyre peninsula, with access to launch a small boat. The contemporary bothy overlooks a picturesque loch complete with a boathouse and private jetty The two-bedroom property is set over one level, but has a host of exciting and enticing features at an unmissable picturesque location. Included in the purchase price of offers over £445,000, the new owner could get the chance to relax in the master bedroom which features a vaulted ceiling with a mezzanine study area, built in wardrobes and a separate private study or library area. The landscaped gardens include plots to grow fruit and vegetables, a pond, a summerhouse and much more. The incredible property boasts a plot of 1.6 acres After enjoying the scenic views from the property’s garden and exclusive shorefront, the new owner can retreat into the energy efficient, solar panel powered home which benefits from underfloor heating. According to Savills, the real estate service selling the property: “The Studio is a unique, architect designed, contemporary home situated on the shores of West Loch Tarbert. “The original stone-built bothy has been reinstated and is complemented by a fantastic modern addition which sits comfortably within a plot of approximately 1.6 acres. “The property is immaculately presented throughout and boasts an area of private shore frontage and a stunning outlook over the West Loch.” The current property owners restored and redesigned the small stone cottage into the modern and spacious property that it is today. The home also offers a haven of privacy , as there is only one other house further down the private road. The area is also very popular for sailing and in the summer is host to Scotland’s largest sailing regatta – the Scottish Series.

Luxury ships arriving on the Mersey ahead of Clipper World Yacht Race

A fleet of luxury ships will be arriving on Mersey today ahead of Clipper World Yacht Race. The world's biggest round the world yacht race will arrive in Liverpool today, ahead of the race start day on Sunday August 20. A fleet of 12 70-foot ocean racing yachts will arrive in Liverpool for a parade along the Mersey before entering the Canning Half Tide Dock and Albert Dock. The fleet arrival will take place between 5pm and 6pm today, with an official civic welcome for the Clipper Race fleet at the Albert Dock from 4pm to 6pm. Open tours of the magnificent fleet will be taking place on the Albert Dock from Wednesday August 16 to Friday August 18 between 10am and 7pm. Clipper Race Director Mark Light said: “The twelve Clipper Race Skippers and their crew have been working hard and training for months so it is a big moment for all involved to be leaving for Race Start in Liverpool. The world famous Clipper race will return to Liverpool this summer (Image: Liverpool Echo) “The Clipper Race gets bigger and better with each edition and I wish all the teams well, both for the delivery to Liverpool and for the race ahead.” There will be a naming ceremony for the Liverpool 2018 yacht on Thursday, August 17 as well as the Great Britain naming ceremony on Friday, August 18.

Crew set sail on round-Britain challenge

A team of veterans affected by military operations have swapped home comforts for two months of nautical endurance as they attempt to sail 2,000 nautical miles around the British Isles. The crew of 17 veterans, many with little or no sailing experience, were waved off by crowds of well-wishers at Falmouth harbour on Saturday afternoon on the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge 2017. The crew will spend eight weeks at sea circumnavigating Britain aboard a 92-foot tall ship, with the journey seeing them sail around Wales and Scotland before heading down Britain’s east coast and a final leg back to Falmouth. During the feat of physical, mental and emotional endurance, the crew will spend time learning to navigate Britain’s coastal waters along with everyday tasks such as scrubbing the decks, cooking in the galley and managing the huge sails by climbing the various masts and rigging. The expedition has been organised by Turn to Starboard, a Falmouth-based sailing charity that helps hundreds of military personnel suffering with physical injuries or mental trauma by providing sailing courses in a supportive environment. The expedition will be led by Turn to Starboard sailing instructor and former Royal Marine, Dan Fielding. After being medically discharged from the Royal Navy, Dan signed up for the charity’s Zero to Hero programme and has gone on qualify as a yachtmaster instructor and skipper of the epic challenge. He said: “It’s great to see the sun shining on us today as we set off on this epic adventure. The aim of the Round Britain Challenge is to help participants re-engage, reintegrate and gain new skills while raising awareness of some of the challenges veterans can face after service life. "Some of the crew will be gaining valuable sailing miles as part of their training for yachtmaster qualifications, whereas others have set themselves a personal challenge as they battle with their own issues after service life. Many of the participants are seeking solace in the companionship of others who have experienced similar situations, which allows them to feel valued in a supportive environment.” The lead supporter of the initiative is the Endeavour Fund, which offers funding for sporting and adventure challenges and helps emerging initiatives with advice, hands-on support and mentoring. Stuart Croxford, programme manager at the Endeavour Fund, said: “I’m thrilled that we’re able to once again support this incredible challenge. Turn to Starboard does a fantastic job in supporting wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women on their journey to recovery and helping them rediscover their fighting spirit. This Round Britain Challenge will not only be a once-in-a-lifetime experience but it will give all participants the chance to gain new skills and qualifications which will help them long after they return.” The charity is inviting the public to help them raise funds towards the cost of the expedition at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/www.turntostarboard.co.uk/roundbritain.

Rolex Fastnet Race 2017 - Start

Oban pontoons are officially open

Lead Councillor for Oban Lorn and the Isles, Elaine Robertson, said: “This project will complement Oban’s existing marine facilities and will bring new customers for other local facilities, industries and retailers. “It had been expected that the pontoons would open later in the summer, but thanks to the hard work of contractors GSS of Roseneath, North West Marine of Mull and Oban, Laffertys of Oban and Gaelforce the facility is open for business in July. This has been an outstanding demonstration of the quality of our home based contractors in Argyll. This season the facility will be operated by the council in partnership with Bid4Oban. Work on the associated maritime visitor facility, costing £1.6million, is scheduled to be completed later this year. Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “This is a landmark day for Oban and for the whole west coast tourism industry. “The substantial investment in these first class facilities will attract new people and businesses and bring economic benefits to the town and the surrounding area for years to come.”

NATASHA TRIUMPHANTLY SAILS FROM SCOTLAND TO IRELAND

Cowes-based adventurer Natasha Lambert BEM has successfully become the youngest disabled woman to skipper a yacht from Scotland to Ireland. Her grand adventure started from South East Scotland on Monday at 10:30. 6 hours later Natasha triumphantly sailed into Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. Natasha, who has artheroid cerebral palsy, is unable to use conventional controls. Instead she steers and controls the sails of her 21ft yacht ‘Miss Isle Too’ by sipping and puffing into a single straw. Mandy Lambert, Natasha’s mum and chief logistics officer said: “The North Channel certainly lived up to it’s challenging reputation. Natasha had to deal with very light fluctuating winds coupled with strong tides. But we made it and can’t wait to carry the expedition on South to Dublin”. No stranger to a challenge Natasha has already sailed across the English Channel, around the Isle of Wight and reached the summit of Cairngorm. This expedition is far from over. Over the next 2 weeks Natasha aims to carry on sailing South to Dublin. Natasha is raising money for her charity, which helps take people in a similar situation sailing, and the RNLI. You can follow Natasha’s adventure on her website www.missisle.com.

Royal visit for Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

The new clubhouse has been significantly extended and renovated over the last two years, with £120,000 of improvements, partly funded by Sport England and the National Lottery. Whilst at the club Her Royal Highness was able to see plenty of activities taking place. Youngsters were being trained in Topper dinghies, a This Girl Can Ladies sailing group was in action and a group from Churchill Park Complex Needs School in Kings Lynn were using the facilities. She also met club members, past commodores, guests from other local sailing clubs and representatives of the RNLI and RYA. Robbie Bell, Regional Development officer, and member at SBSC, said: “It was a great honour for the club to receive a visit from HRH The Princess Royal to see grassroots activity taking place, chat with a variety of participants and volunteers and officially open the new facility. I know SBSC is looking forward to welcoming many new people to try sailing and become members of this superb family friendly club.” Club commodore Adrian Tebbutt added: “She is really very knowledgeable about sailing, we had quite a detailed chat about the tides, wind, the boats the club sails, and she was very impressed with how we built a thriving club in a location which, on the face of it, where the sea washes in and out giving us perhaps a three-hour window of opportunity for sailing. However, our lake makes us unique in the UK, allowing us to introduce and develop newcomers in absolute safety before graduating to sea sailing, as confidence and experience grows.” For more information about the club visit www.snetbeach.co.uk

ISBJORN OFFSHORE: Scotland Highlight Reel 2017

Natasha Lambert ready for next sailing challenge

NATASHA Lambert is busy preparing for her next adventure - Sea and Summit Ireland. The 19-year-old adventurer, who, with the support of her parents, has proven disability need not be a barrier to completing challenges, is not only planning to sail across the Irish Sea on July 17 but down the coast from Belfast to Dublin - and then scale a mountain in the Wicklow National Park. The challenge, made possible by the invention of her father, Gary, which enables her to sail by the power of pressure from a gentle breath, and climb with the aid of a special brace and wheels, was featured in a recent BBC South programme, Invented in the South. Natasha will be fundraising for the charity established by the family, the MissIsle School, which helps others with limited mobility to sail, and Cowes RNLI. Natasha has athetoid cerebral palsy, which means she has movements she cannot control. Despite that, the inspirational teenager has not only sailed around the Island, but also across the English Channel, to Wales, around Scotland, and from Cowes to Tower Bridge. She has also climbed two mountains. Natasha can be sponsored at tinyurl.com/IWCP-ISC

YES! wins the 2017 Round the Island Race in association with Cloudy Bay Gold Roman Bowl

There are still some boats needing to finish, but mathematically we believe none of them will be able to dislodge Adam Gosling’s JPK 10.80 YES! from the top of the overall results, hence scoring them the biggest trophy of the day, the Gold Roman Bowl. Often they say that the Round the Island Race is won by either the biggest or the smallest boats and for a time it looked like this would be a big boat race, after an impressive performance from Irvine Laidlaw’s Reichel-Pugh 82, Highland Fling XI. But with Fling sitting at the top of the results table, Yes! and much of the rest of the IRC1 fleet, within which she was racing, stormed home to dislodge a number of previous finishers from the top positions. Highland Fling did manage to hold onto second, but ultimately Yes! were in another league taking victory by just under eight minutes corrected. Gosling’s team are a well-known group in the Solent and have won a great many trophies and plaudits but the Round the Island Race win had thus far eluded them. They join a very special group of 81 winners from the illustrious race. Congratulations to all of the team.