A UK challenge

 Retired UK aerial lift rental entrepreneur David Cadman is inviting people to join him in a Triathlon challenge to raise money for charity. As well as doing it for charity he is doing it in order to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Starting on Friday 17th of June, and concluding on Sunday 19th of June, it will consist of:

- A 20 mile designated walk around the Lake

- A 26 mile cycle around the lake, this will include the peninsular island

- A 24 mile night sail on a lake course.

We’ll kick proceedings off with a barbecue on the Friday night where we’ll formally handover the donations to representatives of the three carefully chosen charities close to my heart:

- Sailability, the R.S.C charity that provides sailing facilities for the disabled.

- The RNLI, lifeboat charity.

- The Air Ambulance.

Do you fancy joining in or sponsoring?

I am looking for 30 companies to help me fill 30 spaces with an Entrance Fee of £200 per person – this will be the charity donation. I hope you can take part yourself or sponsor someone to take part.

Additional notes for the celebration weekend:

Bring your own bike or hire locally - electric bike hire is about £25. Accommodation – we are hoping to secure accommodation at the sailing club but there’s plenty of good hotels and B&B’s locally or bring your caravan / motorhome and pitch up at about £10 per night. Don’t worry if you’re not blessed with sea legs the boats will be captained by members of the local club and you’ll be part of the crew. We are looking for a £20 contribution per person towards the cost of Friday’s presentation barbecue.

Anyone wishing to help with the event - take part, act as a guide, or simply donate to the event will be most welcome. Simply contact me by email at david-cadman@hotmail.com or text/call me on +44 (0)7968 959579 to book in a delegate.

I hope to send out sponsorship forms to any companies interested in supporting the event when all planning aspects are complete.

Many thanks, let’s hope, that with your help, we can make this event happen.”

David Cadman

Work Parties and Storm Eunice at Blackwater Sailing Club

 February often brings us the worst of winter. At Blackwater Sailing Club traditionally this month is a time when no racing is scheduled. The opportunity is taken to carry out maintenance on the race marks that have been brought ashore, ensuring that they are kept in good condition.

This time they have all had nice new labels attached; this greatly helps anyone racing. Also, they are very useful for anyone else navigating our waters; its always reassuring to see a familiar landmark and in recent times there has been a huge increase in river activity with paddleboarding particularly becoming more popular.

Our sailing committee has been busy revising the race courses. This has been done to accommodate the increasing range of craft that regularly race at the club. Short course races have also been introduced in recent years and these are very popular with many members.

At the beginning of the month we held one of our regular winter work parties. Word must have spread about the tasty jacket potatoes on offer for lunch.. At 9am on a Sunday morning the heavens opened, the wind was howling. Despite this horrendous weather there was a great turnout with over 70 members helping on the day. There was a team of busy bees deep cleaning the main galley, and another group preparing the lunch in the members galley.

There is a feeling of Spring in the air now. Racing will resume, cruisers will be launched and a new season of sailing begins. If you would like to visit the club with a view to joining then please contact our membership secretary by emailing membership-secretary@blackwatersailingclub.org.uk

For more details see www.blackwatersailingclub.org.uk

On board 26.2m superyacht Haze with owner Steve Rigby

 Three decades after dropping out of school, the owner of 26-metre Haze, UK-based entrepreneur Steve Rigby, talks about finally making his first foray into superyacht ownership.

“I have been dreaming about owning a boat ever since I was a young man,” says energetic British businessman Steve Rigby. “It is a big commitment financially, so it just took me a bit of time to build up the courage.”

Having built up that courage, and nearly a decade of charter experience, Rigby decided there wasn’t anything on the water that met his requirements; so rather than buy a boat, he opted to build one. “A new build seemed the obvious route for me because I didn’t particularly like the traditional format of motor yachts,” he explains. “I wanted something that was stern-orientated and there are very few of that style of boat.”

As part of creating this homely feel he has recruited a “small and personal” crew of four, including BOAT International columnist Eddie Jordan’s former captain, Tim Beebe. Haze’s layout, with the galley on the main deck, means that there is a constant dialogue with the Croatian chef. “We like an informal style; we are not hierarchical,” Rigby says. “We don’t want people to be on watch; we are happy to serve ourselves drinks or to get drinks for them. Tim is a great guy, and we would be friends with him outside of our boating life.”

Despite Covid-19 limiting some of Rigby’s initial plans, he wasted no time in getting to know the yacht last summer. After joining the boat in Sicily, the couple spent time on the Amalfi Coast and the surrounding islands, taking advantage of the reduced summer crowds. “Capri was beautiful,” he says. “I have never been to Capri when it has been so quiet before. It was lovely.” They then went on to Sardinia and Corsica before returning to the South of France, where Rigby enjoyed a “boys’ trip” on board.

The yacht is wintering in Savona in Liguria, and Rigby has no intention of her crossing to the Caribbean for winter seasons. “The boat doesn’t really suit the Caribbean,” he says. “She’s a Med-only boat.” After the winter, Haze is set to head for Turkey, where she will be based for the summer and available to charter with Fraser. “The plan is to spend five weeks on board each summer,” he explains. “One with my family, one with Claire’s family and the rest either by ourselves or with friends.” Steve’s three children from his previous marriage were able to enjoy their first trip on board Haze last summer. “The kids love the watersports and, as they get older, the rosé and beer flow quite a lot,” he says, with a wry smile. “They created this thing called rock beers, where they took a paddle board, found a rock somewhere and had a few beers on it. I have no idea why.”

Sign Up For Bart's Bash 10th - 11th September 2022

 This year Bart's Bash takes place on 10th-11th September 2022 and is open to all venues globally that are inspired to take part and where it is possible to host a race.

Use Barts Bash as your mass participation event platform and fundraise for the Andrew Simpson Foundation or your own club, venue or community project. The funds raised during Bart's Bash for the Andrew Simpson Foundation has already helped a huge number of sailing projects across the world.

Sign up at BartsBash.com

#boatgen announces line-up of events and new ambassadors for 2022

 Boatgen, a not-for-profit initiative, delivered in partnership by boatfolk and The Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF), has announced a line-up of new events for 2022.

Following the success of the first boatgen get afloat day in October 2021, ten new events have been launched, with more to be announced soon. From Portland, Dorset, to Birmingham, West Midlands, the get afloat days aim to engage and encourage young people to experience the benefits of being on the water and will have the support of boatgen's five new youth ambassadors.

The current list of participation dates include:

13th Mar: #boatgen day - ASC Birmingham

26th Mar: #boatgen day - ASC Reading

27th Mar: #boatgen day - ASC Portland

8th May: #boatgen day - ASC Portsmouth

10th July: #boatgen day - ASC Portsmouth

16th July: #boatgen day - Haslar Marina

17th Jul: #boatgen day - ASC Birmingham

18th Sept: #boatgen day - ASC Portsmouth

25th Sept: #boatgen day - ASC Portland

16th Oct: #boatgen day - ASC Birmingham

Regular updates, new events and registration for the activity days can be found at www.boatgen.co.uk.

Five new youth ambassadors join Tim Long, the very first boatgen ambassador who became the youngest person to solo-sail around the UK in 2020.

To find out more about boatgen and to sign up to one of the upcoming events, visit: www.boatfolk.co.uk/boatgen Use #boatgen to help spread the joy of boating and encourage participation.

For further information about boatfolk, visit: www.boatfolk.co.uk.

RYA/BUSA Women's Team Racing Championship 2022

 Eleven teams found weather windows to drive to Budworth SC in Cheshire for the RYA/BUSA Women's Team Racing Nationals - and were rewarded with a weekend of great sailing.

Saturday saw a true Manchester style of weather conditions from light winds to big gusts - sun, rain and just a little snow. The expected high winds from Storm Eunice held off and the races were sailed in full rig Fireflies with the round robin completed on the Saturday and the Gold/Silver leagues started.

With a wet and windy forecast for Sunday, race officer Eilidh Millar sensibly called a late finish on Saturday and an early start Sunday. With another named storm, Franklin, now on its way, the first race started in cut downs at 8am but the winds continued to build over the morning until a big gust tracking down the course blew over five boats across the two fleets.

The race committee brought all the boats ashore to wait for a break in the wind. Unfortunately, this did not emerge and it was not felt safe to send the sailors back out so the results thus far and from the completed first Gold League round robin were used to announce a winner.

 A full breakdown of results from the event can be found at http://events.ksail.co.uk/2022/RYAWomens/

Next up on the national team racing calendar is the RYA National Team Racing Championship for the Prince Philip Trophy, 26-27 March 2022, at West Kirby SC. Teams are invited to find out more and register their interest for an invitation at https://www.wksc.org.uk/uktra-2022/ by 23.59 on Saturday 27 February 2022.

UK Nacra 15 Class Association announces 2022 UK Nacra 15 National Series

 Whilst the Nacra 15 class prepares for a busy weekend at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, a four-event National Series is announced for the RYA Youth Multihull class, with events ranging from long-distance racing to inland venues!

GP1: East Coast Piers Race

Hosted by Marconi SC in Essex, the Nacra 15 fleet will take part in the iconic East Coast Piers Race weekend, including a day of 'round-the-cans' handicap racing, as well as the 29 mile 'Colne Point' long-distance race! This offers an exciting challenge for the next generation of high-performance sailors, making the most of the world-class safety support and incredible onshore atmosphere to offer a unique opportunity amongst any of the RYA youth classes!

GP2: Weston Catamaran Open

The venue of the 2019 and 2021 Nacra 15 National Championships, the class will return to race on Southampton Water, with Weston SC having always provided close racing and great conditions alongside a wide range of catamaran classes!

GP3 & National Championships: Brightlingsea CatFest

Returning to Brightlingsea for the first time since 2018, our 2022 Nacra 15 National Championships will take place at the spiritual home of catamaran sailing in the UK! The open water on the east coast provides great racing, ideal to decide the National Championship title!

GP4 & Inland Championships: Grafham Catamaran Open

Inland racing makes up a huge part of the dinghy racing scene in the UK, recognised by the UK Nacra 15 class as we head to Grafham Water SC for their annual catamaran open! Prepare for some top speeds as the Nacra 15 fleet battles on the flat inland waters in the heart of Cambridgeshire!

2022 National Series:

GP1: East Coast Piers Race - 18th/19th June - Marconi SC

GP2: Weston Catamaran Open - 10th/11th September - Weston SC

GP3 & National Championships: Brightlingsea CatFest - 1st/2nd October - Brightlingsea SC

GP4 & Inland Championships: Grafham Catamaran Open - 22nd/23rd October - Grafham Water SC

Other Key Dates:

RYA Youth National Championships - 9th/15th April 2022 - Pwhelli, Wales

Nacra 15 European Championships - 23rd/29th April 2022 - Carnac, France

Nacra UK Taster Day - 14th May 2022 - Grafham Water SC

Nacra 15 World Championships - 8th/15th August 2022 - Lake Garda, Italy

Nacra 15 World Championships - 19th/26th February 2023 - Fort Lauderdale, USA

Full details can be found at www.nacra15.co.uk

Royal Irish Yacht Club Prepare to Stage May's Dun Laoghaire Cup for Sportsboats

 The Royal Irish Yacht Club will host a four-class Dun Laoghaire Cup for sportsboats in May with racing for 1720, SB20, J80 and Beneteau First 21 classes. 

The 1720 East Coast Championship, the J80 East Coast Championship and First 21 National Championship will all be staged as part of the Cup running from Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd May on Dublin Bay.

For the SB20s, it will be the first opportunity to 'cross swords' in what promises to be a very exciting season in the build-up to September's class World Championships being staged at the same venue.

Graduate dinghy celebrating Platinum Jubilee year

 The Graduate Dinghy Association is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Graduate dinghy in 2022. 

Our Nationals this year will be at Grafham Water on 9 & 10th July. 

UK National Cadet Class - 2022

 Covid and Omicron permitting, what does 2022 have in store? For one thing the Class is celebrating its 75th year - quite a landmark - 75 years of sailors having fun, enjoying competitive sailing and making friends for life.

The racing season gets off to a bang in March at the second of the Grafham residentials when one day will be a 4 race event to kick off the Spring Championships. The other 2 Spring Champs events are scheduled for Pevensey (April 23/24th) and the National Sailing Academy at Weymouth and Portland (May 7/8th) and when that's all done and dusted we will have selected the GBR Cadet Team that will be invited to compete for the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia at Christmas 2022.

Alongside these events we also have scheduled a number of Open Meetings at the various squadrons, the RYA Regional Junior Championships at Grafham (this year June 18/19th rather than September), and the ever popular Waldringfield Cadet Week (26-29th August).

The undoubted highlight of the Summer will be the Nationals followed by the European Championships at Royal Torbay Yacht Club which run from July 24th to August 5th. This will be the UK Class' first taste of international competition since the pandemic started and is keenly anticipated after not being able to get to Garda last summer. It will be interesting to see where we are at as a fleet but I'm confident we will as always have some sailors attacking the podium positions.

So as always there's plenty to get involved with. With regatta fleet coaching for the less experienced at all the events everyone is very welcome to attend and will find there are lots of welcoming sailors and parents on hand to give advice.

More details are available on www.cadetclass.org.uk or contact us on chair@cadetclass.org.uk

Les Powles tribute: Fair winds to the Corinthian sailor

 Corinthian sailor Les Powles who successfully sailed solo around the world three times during the 1970s and ‘80s and was a recipient of the British Yachtsman of the Year award, has passed away, aged 96.

An engineer, Powles began to crave the freedom of the sea in the 1970s, and spent his life savings building his 34ft yacht Solitaire.

Recklessly, he set off to cross the Atlantic in 1975 with only eight hours sailing experience.

He was heading for the Caribbean, but poor navigational led him to land in Brazil.

Sailing on a shoestring budget, he set out on his first non-stop circumnavigation without a radio transmitter, and did not speak to another person for 329 days.

Towards the end of his second, non-stop voyage in 1980-81, Les struggled with hunger and survived only on rainwater, a few spoonfuls of rice and quarter tin of meat per day.

On his third eight-year voyage in the late 1980s he was given up for dead, but surprised everyone when he returned to Lymington four months after setting sail from New Zealand.

He had lost five stone and hardly had the strength to lift the sail.

Lymington Yacht Haven marina gave Powell a free birth for life and until very recently, he was still living aboard Solitaire.

His book, Solitaire Spirit, retold his life story and circumnavigations.

With publication of his book, telling his life story and circumnavigations, Powles received unsolicited letters from all over the world congratulating him for his unpretentious pioneering spirit and the inspiration he provided.

Once his sailing days were over, he was once asked “Do you miss the open sea?” He answered: “I’m completely satisfied with what I’ve got.”

Powles’ funeral will be held at Romsey Crematorium on Tuesday 15 March at 12.15pm, followed by a wake at Lymington Town Sailing Club at 2.30pm.

His next of kin have kindly extended an invite to all to attend.

BoatLife Live 2022 Goes Down a Storm

 BoatLife Live made memories at the inaugural show with reports of strong sales and companies already rebooking for next year. Visitors and exhibitors have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback on the show organisation, the diverse range of boats, layout, and visitor experience.

The launch show has created a springboard for the future. 140 companies exhibited over four days and displayed over 120 boats from RIBS, to powerboats, inland boats to watersports. The feature boats Falanda, SmartFish 25 and Atlantic rowing boat were also popular attractions.

Richard Dove, Director, BoatLife Events Ltd "I couldn't be happier with how the show has been received. The hard work has paid off, and it's the start of something very special. We now need to build on the success and gather feedback. Next year we hope to have more yachts, equipment and watersports. From the interest we have had from companies visiting the show to check it out, it looks possible. We may need a bigger space"

Despite challenges in the lead up with covid and stock availability, and during the show Storm Eunice, nearly 10,000 dedicated visitors came and battled with the weather. Visitors enjoyed talks on the Live Stage from Pip Hare and Katie McCabe and lots of fun was had on the Virtual Reality feature.

The show organisers are currently looking at 16-19 February 2023 for the next BoatLife Live event!

The ETs are back! Entries open to much-loved junior regatta

 The Eric Twiname Junior Championships is back after a two-year absence - and entries are now open. The RYA's iconic "battle of the regions" pits young sailors from across the country against each other, representing their RYA Region or Home Country.

But the regatta is so much more than just a competition - it's as much about nurturing young sailors in a racing environment and empowering them to learn and develop.

The Eric Twiname Junior Championships, lovingly known as the ETs, will once again return to long-term hosts Rutland Sailing Club from April 30 to May 2.

It takes place in the British Youth Sailing recognised junior classes - Optimist, RS Tera Sport, RS Feva, Topper and ILCA 4 dinghies plus four different rig sizes of Bic Techno windsurfer.

This year, ETs entry for the ILCA 4 and RS Tera Sport classes is open to all young sailors. Entry for the Optimist, RS Feva, Topper and Bic Techno is by invite, through British Youth Sailing's Regional Training Groups.

Chris Atherton, RYA National Performance Manager, said: "After a two-year forced absence we are absolutely delighted to see the Eric Twiname Junior Championships back with a bang.

"Huge thanks go to Rutland Sailing Club, long-term supporters of this much-loved event, who have once again made this year's event possible with their backing and generosity.

"We can't wait to see everyone at Rutland over the early May bank holiday for a long weekend of great sailing and racing, and lots of fun."