2010 SWSA Suffolk Schools Regatta Results
This year’s annual Suffolk Water Sports Association (SWSA)
schools regatta attracted a record 170 entries from schools all
over the county. Included were 50 youngsters who had entered
the sport through the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA)
OnBoard youth participation scheme.
A good lesson in spacial awareness. Youngsters
competing for the first time in an
OnBoard regatta learn the rudiments of competitive sailing
Held at Alton Watersports Centre near Holbrook, on Thursday
(July 1), conditions could not have been better, warm, sunny
and with a good south westerly breeze that gave the more experienced
sailors the opportunity to show off their skills while giving
the beginners an excuse to get wet.
The 170 youngsters, sailing in 132 boats, were divided into
three fleets, fast handicap, slow handicap and Topper. In addition
for the first time this year youngsters whose school is taking
part in the RYA OnBoard scheme were also competing on a different
course. Some of the older youngsters sailing in Lasers, RS500
and 800 and Larks, proved extremely competent sailors.
The OnBoard fleet comprised Laser Bugs, Picos, and Optimists,
while the main regatta fleets contained Laser Fevas, Teras and
Q’BAs, a large number of Toppers, RS500 and 800, Larks,
and Mirrors.
Some SWSA students are proving to be highly
skilled sailors
Kevin Connolly, chairman of SWSA said: “The beginner regatta
is new for 2010. It’s intended for beginner sailors and
those with no race experience, with coaching provided on the
day to help all competitors enjoy and learn. The turnout this
year has been far greater than we expected, nearly double the
number when we started organising this event. My thanks to all
who helped support and organise the event.”
As RYA East vice-Chairman Fiona Wylie commented after spending
the day afloat in the start boat: “It was great to see
so many youngsters here today enjoying themselves. And judging
by the smiles and thank yous as they passed the committee boat
at the end of the third race, every one of them clearly enjoyed
the experience.
“This has been one of the best run and best enjoyed youth
events I’ve been associated with in a long time – congratulations
to everyone, and especially to SWSA for encouraging more schools
to add sailing to their extra curricular activities.”
The SWSA regatta fleets head onto a reach
having safely rounded the lower windward mark
Chris Hussey, RYA OnBoard Officer for Suffolk and Essex who
ran the beginners fleet said: “It was fun. Everyone on
the water enjoyed it. One of the funniest sights though was in
the morning when we were running a teaching session a gust came
through and blew over most of the OnBoard fleet. No one was hurt
and most seemed to enjoy the experience.”
Presenting trophies in the main hall of the adjacent Royal Hospital
School, Babergh District Council chairman David Wood said: “I
must congratulate all the youngsters who took part. Although
my own activity afloat has been limited to windsurfing, I can
appreciate the skill and expertise most of you have shown. The
conditions today were ideal, a lot better than when I took part
in the recent mile swim in these same waters.”
The event was organised by SWSA and supported by Suffolk County
Council, Alton Watersports Centre, and the Royal Hospital School
and RYA OnBoard. Boat manufacturers RS and Topper along with
RYA East loaned boats for the regatta.
Results of the SWSA regatta:
Close action sailing in the Topper class
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