On The Water – June 2013 – Bob Warren

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASummer looks like it has finally made it and the action is taking off on the water. Last weekend saw the Pilot Cutters powering around the Carrick Roads in a lovely Northerly breeze that really suited them perfectly. These graceful vessels are the big brothers and sisters of the Pilot Gigs and were designed to be sailed in all weathers in the Western Approaches looking to get their Pilots onto the homeward bound sailing ships. Will the growing need for green travel, reducing carbon footprints and spiralling fuel costs mean we will see a new age of sail?

The Roseland Gig club are getting their breath back after a very successful weekend in the Scillies in the World Championships. The hard winter raining paid off with most crews improving on last years result except the Veterans who lost their Crown to a very determined and fit Caradon crew. The Men’s crews finished 3rd, 16th and 52nd the Ladies 9th and 36h well done to everyone who went and who helped the crews in training over the early season. The club are back rowing regularly on Wednesday evenings and are always keen to greet new members.

Roseland Wave riders hosted the first T15 windsurfing event of the season last month and despite some podium places were beaten at their home even so they have a real challenge ahead this season from Sibblyback and also from the Polkerris Pirates, winners at Percuil. The Wave Riders are sailing on a Wednesday evening at 5 pm and would be very happy to welcome new recruits whether they have sailed before or not.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALast weekend also found St Mawes SC team Feva take to road for their first away event of the season. The crews coped with some light and variable conditions at Penzance SC and all four crews finished in the top six with Charlie and Ali finishing in a well earned second place.

Restronguet SC have been busy as well holding the Firefly SW area championships over the bank holiday weekend. These little dinghies are a great example of the longevity of great designs. The Firefly was designed by Uffa Fox for the Olympic Games back before the Second World War. They were designed as a single-handed dinghy but are now raced by two often couples as they don’t require a great deal of weight to be competitive. Restronguet still boasts a very active fleet with good numbers out on Wednesday evenings and Sundays.

Top Tip for this month is to get afloat and enjoy some Regatta sailing. One of the unique features of sailing on the Fal is our village regatta events. I remember taking the SW Mirror squad to Point and Penpol regatta several years ago and the only people who enjoyed the event more than the sailors were the parents who spent a wonderful afternoon watching from the ‘grandstand’ on the quay as more than a hundred boats of all sizes circled the creek, starting and finishing off the quay. Put some fun back in your sailing and get to a regatta this month.

This weekend 8th June Loe beach regatta

16th June T15 event at Sibblyback

22nd June Point and Penpol regatta

24th Point and Penpol watersports

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