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South Windermere Sailing Club hold their first Old Gaffers event

WINDERMERE saw a fleet of traditional boats set sail in the first event of its kind held by local sailing society. South Windermere Sailing Club organised their first ever ‘Old Gaffers Regatta’ event on Saturday, August 15 which saw a collection of vessels cross the iconic waters. Six traditional sailing boats in the club’s new fleet crossed the lake from Fell Foot and enjoyed a picnic before making the return journey. The fleet was accompanied by club members in cruisers and dinghies, as well as appropriate safety measures. The club is looking to put on similar exhibitions and events in the future. The term “Old Gaffers” refers to the distinctive sailing rig of traditional boats, including gaff, lug and spritsail rig. The club’s fleet included Drascombe and Deben Luggers, Cornish Crabber and Cornish Coble, Artic Tern, Sea Otter and several others. Jeremy Lambert, South Windermere Sailing Club's old gaffer fleet captain is hoping more events can be arranged despite the current Covid arrangements. He said: “The Old Gaffers Regatta had been in our diaries for some months, and I know all the fleet members were looking forward to getting together and sailing as a fleet. “On the day, the turnout was super and we were all able to enjoy a day out on the lake. The lack of wind enabled us to sail, row and motor together and also enjoy each other’s company. “As a group we could all see the potential for developing the Old Gaffer fleet’s activities. “The 2021 event is already in our thoughts and hopefully the Covid situation will allow for a more publicised event that would enable other old gaffers from the north of England to come and join us.” For more information on the South Windermere Sailing Club, go to www.swsailing.co.uk.

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At Felpham Sailing Club the club’s volunteers have really come together to devise solutions which meet the current legislation and guidelines and are still able to offer fun in a safe environment. Commodore Guy Maygar said: “We’ve worked really well together to understand the constraints of the new normal and adapt our offering to club members. “Our members are enjoying getting out sailing, racing and training. A lot of work has been done to make the bar and clubhouse conform with guidelines and members are respecting what has been put in place. So far it is going well.” Measures have been established for social distancing including household groups providing safety cover, launching on a falling tide (providing a bigger beach and avoiding the high tide dump), and only using lightweight safety craft (two person launch and recover). Choke points in the dinghy park and on the ramp and promenade are self-policed for social distance. Training and race coaching have been strongly led by Paul Miller with a team of young instructors looking for work now that school and uni are over for the summer. With a couple of instructors from the same household and four students, the instructor ratios have been excellent and the price has been kept low to maximise uptake. Social sailors have not lost out either as they have gone out in small groups around low tide in lighter winds giving each other support while they enjoy the sea. The racing is as closely fought as ever with many close finishes. Maygar added: “It has been difficult trying to get it right, but the support from the RYA through the online forums and the local Flag Officer network has helped us through some challenging times. The last two weeks have been very rewarding, seeing many old friends back sailing and having fun, and some new members too.” Just along the coast at Littlehampton, Arun Youth Aqua Centre has had a fantastic response from youngsters desperate to get out on the water, with increasing numbers attending. Roger Elliman from the centre said: “We carried out risk assessments and introduced measures including wind strength limits, one-way operations, pre-rigging and washing down of equipment by the instructors, all allowing us to restart sailing with competent youngsters. “The youngsters must have an adult accompanying them from the same household to assist with beach launching retrieval and recovery, and sailors arrive at the centre ready for sailing as all the changing facilities were closed to reliably social distance. “The smallest safety boats are used to enable launching and recovery maintaining the required social distancing. The plan is to gradually take more members into the groups.

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Lymington sailor Santiago takes gold at international sailing cup in Italy

LOCAL Optimist sailor Santiago Sesto-Cosby powered through a fleet of 282 boats to win the International Ora Cup in Lake Garda, Italy. After months of being unable to compete, Royal Lymington Yacht Club’s Santi, 14, beat a high-standard fleet which included sailors who finished in the top 10 at the previous world and European championships. The race took place over the same course as this year’s cancelled Optimist World Championships. Santi, the number one ranked Optimist sailor in Britain and the current national champion, said: “My dream has always been to be the best GBR sailor in the Optimist World Championships. I have been working so hard for the past couple of years and this winter I was so looking forward to the worlds in Garda. It is my favourite place to sail, where I have lots of friends from Italy and other countries. “I was very sad when it was all cancelled as this will be my last year in the Optimist class. But by the time the news came round, it was already expected.” Optimist is a youth class for sailors up to the age of 15. Despite the travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, nearly 300 competitors from 12 nations took part over the three days of the international sailing. After winning the event, Santi said: “It is amazing to be here again, thank you to all the Italian coaches who have welcomed me within their club team, especially Mauro Berteotti, the Fraglia de Riva head coach, as well as Simone and world champion Marco Gradoni. I am so happy to be sailing and racing again. “My thanks also go to Rupert Scott and the Beaulieu Beaufort Foundation for their financial support. I could not have done this without them.” All official British Sailing races have been cancelled this year, which means Santi will be unable to defend his national title, and the upcoming European championships in October looks likely to be cancelled too, so this may be the young sailor’s last competition in the Optimist class.