Topper, Topaz & Taz Open at Findhorn Marina

by Kirsty Lytton 3 Sep 2008 10:43 BST 31 August 2008

52 young sailors arrived at Findhorn Marina on Sunday 31st August for the centre's first ever regatta. Local children who had been on courses over the summer were invited back to mark the end of a successful first season on the water.

The regatta was also a part of the annual fundraising barbeque for the Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation, which is based in Findhorn. Competitors took to the water in a number of sailing school Toppers, Topazes and Tazes.

Two races were run despite a severe lack of wind and a strong tide. For most children, this was their first experience of dinghy racing and the emphasis was on fun. Through a mixture of paddling and sailing, all the boats made it around the triangular course. Parents were invited to watch the racing from the marina's water taxi or a pontoon, which was anchored in the middle of the course.

The prize giving ceremony took place in front of a growing crowd. Sailors that had come in the top three in each fleet stood on a podium to receive a medal from Katrina Paterson, owner of Findhorn Marina. Luckily for the rest of the fleet the principal had ordered enough prizes for everybody, so the whole fleet went away with a sailing medal.

All the staff at the marina were surprised by the huge turnout, so fingers crossed for next year…

Overall Results:

Topper fleet
1st Lee Binks, Jack McDonald & Lewis McLean

Topaz fleet
1st Sandy Snowball & Toby Jones

Taz fleet
1st Charlie Honnor & William Angus