Bowmoor Sailing Club Regatta and Six-Hour Race

The Quba Challenge during the Bowmoor Regatta © Derrick Page

Bowmoor Six-Hour Race © Doug Roberts

Bowmoor Regatta 2015 © Derrick Page

Due to the wet weather forecast for Friday night people started setting up their tents on Wednesday night and by Saturday there was over 60 tents, caravans and campervans. On Friday, families started to arrive at Bowmoor Sailing Club ahead of a fun-filled weekend Regatta.

Friday was arrival, registration and time to set-up tents in preparation for the busy weekend; the planned BBQ was abandoned due to wet weather and most families opted for take-out with the local curry house doing very well!

Whilst the wet weather persisted throughout Saturday, it did not dampen enthusiasm for the range of family friendly events. With around 150 adults and children, the organisers were kept extremely busy.

The first event was a fun run around the lake with both an adult and junior category; the run comprised competitors of all ages and abilities together with some extremely capable runners.

The second event was a family-focused 'pirate-themed' treasure hunt. Fourteen teams and 65 participants took part searching for answers to cryptic clues that were placed around the clubhouse, dinghy park and on the water. Each clue guided the teams to a location where they found a letter; the letters formed an anagram 'Long John Silver' from Treasure Island... Teams comprised as few as 2 through to whole families and groups of scouts.

After lunch there were at least 10, 4 man rowing teams with the lightest helm they could find. This was split between adults and junior teams complete with a final row off. It was surprising how fast they could make these large rowing boats travel (See Bowmoor Facebook page for pictures).

People were then invited to try the Quba Challenge which was ably demonstrated by David Lynall and Chris Jenkins. This consisted of donning a wig and a garland and carrying a big blow-up crocodile, sailing a single handed boat around the committee boat and then on the way back to the shore taking the crocodile and yourself around the front of the mast.

Needless to say there were not so many volunteers for this game but sufficient to keep the audience entertained for at least half an hour. The activities were rounded off by the rocket firing. The children had been building these throughout the day. The distance travelled varied from about 50 metres to minus 3m.

Prizes were then awarded to all the children and the winners of the various events. Paella was provided by Olivas Delicatessen with a bar by Stroud Brewery and excellent entertainment by Pantastic Painswick (a Steelband) and Mango Jam followed by a disco.

On Sunday the Steve Robertson Memorial 6hr Race sponsored by RS Sailing started at 10.45 with an entry of 31 boats and about 90 sailors. There had to be a minimum of 2 helms and 3 change overs. There were 16 different types of boat including 4 Aero 9's, 4 lasers, a Devon Yawl, optimists, a zoom, a mirror and a topper. With a 10 mph wind and sunshine everyone had a great sail.

The Junior prize winners were the Quba Sport of Lewis Fowler and Owen Mills in sixth place.

Everyone had a wonderful time and our thanks must go to David Lynall For Organising the weekend and being OOD, Kate Tustin for organising and compiling the results and their Team of Helpers, Jon Cooper and Olly Hopkins the run, John Banbrook (Treasure Hunt), Richard Miller (Avon - Rowing Races), David Lynall (Quba Challenge), Rockets (Mike Tustin). Catering and soft drinks for the weekend were provided by Pat and Stan.

6hr race results: