Six blind servicemen learn to sail in Suffolk

A Suffolk sailing club hosted six blind veterans for an “exciting” session on the water organised by a charity helping former servicemen who have lost their sight. Blind Veterans UK brought servicemen from Ipswich, Colchester, Ely and Southwold to learn a new skill during a taster session led by The East Anglian Sailing Trust in Levington. One of the blind veterans, Roan Webb, 49, from Ipswich, said he enjoyed his visit so much he was considering joining a sailing club. “Blind Veterans UK have given me equipment which show that by making small adaptations, it’s possible to do things that I never thought I would have been able to do,” he added. Ian Jewry, of The East Anglian Sailing Trust added: “The audio navigation device includes a fluxgate compass which beeps when the boat goes off course, meaning a vision-impaired helmsman can steer the boat.” Visit blindveterans.org.uk/support to learn more about the charity.

Sir Alec Rose’s Lively Lady to sail at Hamble Classics 2018

Sir Alec Rose’ famous round-the-world yacht Lively Lady will be sailing in this year’s Hamble Classics Regatta on 15-16th September at the Royal Southern Yacht Club. Now under the stewardship of Alan Priddy, Lively Lady is back in commission after a complete refit and will be celebrating the anniversary of her homecoming to Portsmouth in 1968 on July 8th this year, 50 years after thousands gathered to welcome her home. Sir Alec was later knighted by Her Majesty the Queen. The boat will also take part in a parade of sail in June to commemorate Suhaili’s departure from Falmouth 50 years ago in the Golden Globe Race, details here https://www.falmouth.co.uk/falmouth-events/suhaili-falmouth Lively Lady’s 354-day singlehanded voyage with stops in Melbourne, Australia, and a repair stop at Bluff Harbour, New Zealand, was a year after that of Sir Francis Chichester aboard Gipsy Moth IV, and with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston completing his epic non-stop circumnavigation in Suhaili a year later. Sir Robin and Suhaili were the special guests at the inaugural Hamble Classics Regatta in 2016. Hamble Classics welcomes all styles of classic yachts including the International Metre classes, Classic Racers, Cruisers and Dayboats, Old Gaffers, Spirit of Tradition Yachts and Dayboats, and the classic One-Design classes. Owners of classic style GRP production yachts are also requested to make contact. Those already invited include pre-1971 S&S designed Swans, Contessa 26 and 32, She 31, S&S 34, Rival 34, Nicholson 32, 35 & 36, and Cal 40 as well as GRP versions of pre-1971 traditional wooden production boats, Folkboat & Twister. See the Notice of Race for full details. https://royal-southern.co.uk/Afloat/Hamble-Classics-2018 https://www.facebook.com/hambleclassics/

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.