Sailing is making the headlines again and what a fantastic finale to the Americas cup with Sir Ben helping with one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. The AC 72’s foiling Catamarans provided some of the most extraordinary sailing seen on TV. Closer to home the C class catamarans have been flying around the bay and Carrick Roads giving anyone watching a taste of flying multihulls.
On the whole sailing is a very safe sport but the accident in the working boats during a recent harbour race is a reminder that we do need to be careful afloat and should check our safety equipment regularly. As some of our boats come off it’s a good time to get your lifejackets serviced, Ocean safety in Plymouth offer the service and it could be money well spent!
The yacht racing season in St Mawes is coming to an end but the dinghies continue at Restronguet sailing club until December with regular racing on a Sunday afternoon so plenty of sailing to be had yet for a while. Our younger sailors and windsurfing are busy this coming weekend taking part in the RYA zone championships one of the qualifying events for the RYA squad systems a programme in place to produce the next Ben .
The County Gig championships are trying to produce a champion this weekend having been thwarted last time around because of one of the Gigs capsizing after a collision with another boat. The Roseland A crew are hoping to repeat their success in Scillies where they finished third. The event should be interesting with strong offshore winds and a very open event after some of the favourite crews have lost crew members to university commitments. The Gig club are going to be rowing and meeting regularly for maintenance work through the winter so if you want to find out more about the club have a look at their website.
Last night I was taking a group of school children on a paddle trip down the Eastern edge of Carrick Roads on sit on top kayaks. I was reminded what a great way of getting on the water they are. We were hugging the shoreline to stay out of the wind and had a fascinating view of all sorts of wildlife as we travelled from Turnaware to St Just. Modern kayaks of all types are easy to transport, maintenance free and easy to paddle, all of which make them a great way of getting on the water any time of year. The equipment you wear is important as we approach winter but it doesn’t have to cost the earth. If you want advice on this feel free to email me. bob@paddleandsail.com
See you on the water!