Sailing in Armella 1

Sailing in Scotland with a drone

The World Sailing Show - May 2018

Sailing World Cup: Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre win 470 silver in Hyeres

Olympic champion Hannah Mills and crew-mate Eilidh McIntyre took silver in the women's 470 dinghy in the third leg of the World Cup Series in Hyeres, France. France's Camille Lecointre and Aloise Retornaz led going into the final day and held on to win gold on Sunday. Mills and McIntyre had edged slightly ahead of their rivals but a penalty turn ended their hopes of victory. Britain's Ben Saxton and Nicola Boniface won Nacra 17 silver for the second straight regatta on Saturday. The pair also finished second at the Princess Sofia Trophy earlier this month, where Boniface was a late replacement for world champion Saxton's injured regular partner Katie Dabson. The final round of the 2018 World Cup takes place in Marseille on 3-10 June. Mills won silver at London 2012 and gold at Rio 2016 with former partner Saskia Clark before teaming up with McIntyre, 23, after Clark's retirement from the sport. The 30-year-old from Cardiff announced last month that she plans to go for gold in Tokyo in a bid to become the "most successful female Olympic sailor of all time".

Ardfern to Lock Melfort in Scotland

BUSA/BUCS Team Racing Finals 2018

Push The Boat Out returns for 2018

The Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) ‘Push The Boat Out’ initiative is back for another year, with free sailing and windsurfing taster sessions for everyone across the UK throughout the month of May. The initiative launched in 2011 and has since proved to be a big hit in getting more people to take to the water. The 2018 event will take place throughout the whole of May and will see clubs and centres across the UK, including many in and around London, holding open days and inviting those who live locally to come and ‘have a go’ at sailing and windsurfing All kit and safety equipment is provided and no experience is needed. Refreshments will be available at many Push the Boat Out events, with a host of shoreside activities and entertainment for visitors to enjoy. “I got into sailing through my local sailing club so it’s fantastic to see so many people given the opportunity to discover what the sport’s all about right on their doorstep,” said Saskia Clark, who won a sailing gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. “If you want to inspire your non-sailing friends and family to giving sailing and windsurfing a go, make sure you put Push The Boat Out in the diary.” For more information about Push The Boat Out 2018, visit rya.org.uk/go/PTBO.

Privilege Catamarans appoint Inspiration Marine Group as UK and Ireland agents.

Inspiration Marine Group have been appointed agents for the Privilege Marine range of catamarans in the UK and Ireland. Privilege Marine was created by Philippe Jeantot, founder of the Vendee Globe round-the-world race. Jeantot designed his first cruising catamaran for his own family to live aboard in comfort whilst undertaking fast, long distance cruises. He later went on to create further designs that can be seen today in Privilege Marine’s range of 50, 60 and 70 ft sailing catamarans, soon to be joined by a new 50ft powercat launching in the Autumn. The Hanse Group, who had been looking to add a catamaran builder to their extensive portfolio of Sail and Powerboat brands, acquired Privilege Marine last year. Inspiration Marine, already one of the largest distributors of Hanse Group products are now agents for Privilege in the UK and Ireland, as well as agents for Dehler and Fjord. More information about their new partnership will be announced in the run up to a display at the Southampton Boat Show in September, but in the meantime Inspiration Marine can arrange viewing and sea trials of boats in France with a minimum of notice. Privilege will be on display at the International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte in the South of France from April 18-21st as well as the Palma Boat Show April 27th – May 1st. Inspiration Marine staff will be on hand at both of these events to meet UK based customers and show them over the range.

Positive news for the marine industry as participation in boating activities sees increase in popularity since 2002

Participation in water activities was up 3.4% in 2017, with motor boating, canoeing and paddleboarding being particularly popular. According to the latest research, a record 3.96m UK adults (7.4% of the UK adult population) participated in one or more of 12 core boating activities in 2017, the highest volume recorded since this research initiative was first launched in 2002. And despite challenges to consumer confidence and an unsettled economy in the wake of Brexit negotiations, boat ownership has also increased, with more than 690,000 boat owning households in the UK. Canoeing and motor boating saw the largest increases in participation. Canoeing increased by 345,000 and the number of people taking an interest in motor boating by 186,000 respectively. The other core boating activities remained steady. Stand-up paddleboarding also increased in popularity with 190,000 more participants in 2017 compared to 2016. Overall 16.3 million people (30.6% of UK adults) participated in any water-based leisure activities. With an increase of over 2 million more participants in 2017, it is the highest volume of participants recorded since the survey began in 2002. It includes participants of the 12 core boating activities and growing watersports activities, as well as activities such as sea angling and coastal walking. According to the survey, the number of boating enthusiasts has also grown, showing positive signs in the marine industry. Howard Pridding, Chief Executive Officer at British Marine, commented: “It is really encouraging to see this level of growth in boating and watersports participation and our members will particularly welcome the increase in the proportion of boat owning households. “There are so many great ways to get out on and enjoy the water in and around the UK. The continuing popularity of activities like stand up paddleboarding and canoeing are proof of just how easy it is to get involved in on-water activities. And the growth in sailing, motor boating and canal boating is excellent news for our boatbuilders and hire boat companies.”

The World Sailing Show - April 2018

Suffolk sailor still braving waves at 90 donates Paralympic standard racing boat to East Anglian Sailing Trust

When Alan Hazlewood’s wife Doreen died in 2014, he not only struggled with grief but felt unable to continue sailing – his lifelong passion. Not knowing where to turn, he joined the East Anglian Sailing Trust (EAST) – set up to help people with disabilities get out on the water. Thanks to specially installed hoists and winches, the 90-year-old was out sailing again within a matter of weeks. Now even more members will get that chance – after Alan donated a Paralympic standard racing boat to the trust. A pot of inherited cash helped Alan buy the Sonar, a type of keelboat specially designed for disabled sailing. He named her Dorsal after his late wife, and daughter Sally Oakley, at a special ceremony at Levington Marina yesterday. “They (EAST) saved my life after my wife died,” said Alan. “I had to give up sailing so I thought well, as I came into a bit of money, it’d be nice to do a little bit of good and buy them a new boat. “They always wanted another sonar and this is a boat that was used for one of the classes in the Paralympic sailing. “It’s a very good type of boat for the purpose we use it for and I’m very pleased that everybody’s turned up today and gave it the good send off and a good launching.” Alan fell in love with sailing when he was a young boy, watching the boats at Ramsgate in Kent before developing an even stronger passion on the Norfolk Broads. He is a former commodore and trustee at the Haven Ports Yacht Club in Levington. His daughter Sally said that yesterday was a great moment, which allowed her father to give back to a charity that has given him so much. She added: “After we lost mum he needed to have something to do and obviously sailing has been his life so the EAST has just been superb for him. “The EAST have been brilliant, as he is 90 he struggles to get around but they have a winch and special hoist to help people in and out of the boats. “He absolutely loves being back on the water.” Geoff Dreher, from the trust, said everyone at the charity is incredibly grateful for the donation.

Rare historic fishing boat returns to Norfolk’s waters thanks to new set of sails

She was a familiar sight in our seas and harbours for more than half a century, and now an iconic piece of the region’s fishing history is to take to the water again thanks to a set of new sails which will help it relive its glorious past. The Baden Powell was built in 1900 in a boatyard on the River Nar by Walter Worfolk. The double-ended cockling boat - which is the only one of its kind still in existence - served the area for more than 50 years, harvesting shellfish from The Wash and the West Norfolk coast. But like many vessels of its kind it fell into disrepair, prompting a group of dedicated volunteers to start work restoring it so that a special part of the region’s maritime heritage could be preserved. After community fundraising to help pay for the project and a 10-year rebuild from the keel up by the King’s Lynn Worfolk Boat Trust, the boat made an emotional return to the area last year. Volunteers have continued to give the vessel some tender loving care throughout the winter so it is ready for a series of summer sailing trips throughout 2018, where people can learn more about the cockling trips she did for more than 80 years. In order to do that though, it needed not the engines of modern boats but a good old-fashioned set of sails. After returning to her summer mooring on the South Quay pontoons on Wednesday, March 14, a new set of replica sails made in the traditional way by Steven Hall in his sailmaker’s loft on the River Blackwater at Tollesbury, in Essex, were fitted this week. Volunteers have been making the ropes and blocks that will enable the crew to set her sails to the wind for some part of the trips, so that passengers will be able to experience how the first owners, the Cook family, sailed the boat in 1900. It will, however, have a reconditioned diesel engine - just to ensure passengers do not become stranded. People can make bookings for trips and tours on the Baden Powell website at www.floatourboat.co.uk

Turn to Starboard inviting veterans to sign up for three day sailing event

An expanding Falmouth-based sailing charity for injured veterans has unveiled its plan to move into the world of competitive racing. In partnership with Help for Heroes and The Endeavour Fund, Turn to Starboard will launch a new racing division in May from a new office at Haslar Marina in Gosport. The charity was set up three years ago and believes sailing has a therapeutic effect on those affected by military operations. It recently reached a major milestone after providing 1,000 sailing opportunities to veterans and has helped many gain sailing qualifications to help start new careers in the marine industry. According to chief executive and founder Shaun Pascoe, the new venture will help to increase the number of sailing opportunities for veterans while honing skills for aspiring Yachtmasters on the charity’s training course. “We are honoured to enter into the world of competitive racing which is a natural progression of what we offer and provides a great way for those affected by operations to learn new skills, rebuild confidence and connect with other veterans,” he said. “Thanks to the incredible support from Help for Heroes and The Endeavour Fund, this exciting new venture will help show that suffering from physical or mental injuries doesn’t have to mean aspiring to less, while serving as a gateway to future opportunities in the sport.” Over the summer months, the charity is planning to enter a series of local races and regattas including the annual Round the Island Race which regularly attracts over 1,700 boats and around 16,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world. To celebrate the launch, Turn to Starboard is holding a fun three-day sailing event from May 24 to 26. Up to 60 veterans from all over the UK are invited to apply to sail on board ten racing yachts especially chartered for the event. “On day one, crew members can learn the basics of sailing in a relaxed environment with instruction from a professional skipper,” said Shaun. “The second day is some basic racing rules, tactics and general knowledge to help on the race course the following day, when each boat competes against each other in a fun regatta. The grand finale will be a party in the evening with prizes for the winners. “Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned sailor, come along and join some like-minded individuals and enjoy some time on the water. You can choose to pull on a few ropes or just sit back and enjoy the ride, it’s totally up to you. The event is about experiencing life on the water with other veterans affected by operations and having some fun, as well as maybe winning a trophy or two.” To book your place, contact Turn to Starboard operations manager Tamsin Mulcahy on 01326 314262 or email tamsin@turntostarboard.co.uk.