Streaker P&B Northern Paddle Series at Beaver Sailing Club

by Stuart Burnett 4 May 2023 19:00 BST 29 April 2023

Beaver Sailing Club boasts one of the biggest Streaker fleets in the UK and so, despite the windless forecast, a total of 25 competitors turned up, all praying for wind at the P&B Northern Paddle Series open meeting on 29 April.

On arrival, the visitors rigged their boats while the locals looked on, fearing the worst. After a 10.30 briefing from Race Officer Oliver Groves, partnered up with grandfather Roy Moxam, the committee boat set off up the lake, anticipating a slight breeze as the ripples on the water gave all the right signs. The sailors attempted to follow but it was soon clear they were going nowhere, so they drifted, paddled or were towed back to the club for an early lunch; spag bol and garlic bread followed by hot custard and sponge!

After lunch, everyone's patience was finally rewarded, with a gentle breeze filling in and continuing to build through the afternoon, allowing three back to back races to be completed.

Streakr P&B Northern Paddle Series at Beaver - photo © Dave Nicklin

The first was certainly no walk in the park, with everyone struggling to make headway up the first beat. However, there was a breakaway pack fronted by Beaver's own Martin Penty, with Giles Therkelson-Smith, Richard Hanby (both Beaver) and Yorkshire Dales' Phil Priestley in hot pursuit. Sheffield Viking's very own Alan Gillard in his vintage 1551 was also in the mix, proving that both boat and helm were certainly not past it.

Into the second race and, with another level of wind, all the strugglers of the previous race came into contention. Martin gained another potential winning position, although Alan did hold the lead for a short spell. However, Martin pulled clear on the run along with Giles's father Dave Smith who settled nicely into second place. Giles pushed hard to take 4th just ahead of Phil, with Beaver's Dave Borrett edging father and son, Steve and Richard Hanby also from Beaver, who were slightly off the pace after poor starts.

Streakr P&B Northern Paddle Series at Beaver - photo © Dave Nicklin

In other notable Beaver performances, the gritty Nigel Robinson held off a barrage of attacks to hold ninth and the three ladies, Catherine Bradley, Nicole Rühmann and Lianne Therkelson, all fought well in their personal battles. Nicole was in the top six before relinquishing her position with an unlucky wind shift bringing others back into the game.

The final race could change the leader board dramatically. Beaver's dominance continued, with Alan being the only visitor in the leading pack. Jon Aldhous, Stuart Burnett and Richard Hanby eased their way through the fleet and opened a gap to the rest who were left struggling with a shifty tactical beat. Meanwhile at the front, Steve and Giles battled with each other but were unable to catch Martin who wrapped up the event with another straight ace.

Martin Penty (right) winner of the Streakr P&B Northern Paddle Series at Beaver - photo © Lianne Therkelson

A big thank you to all those that took part, especially the travelling visitors who, it turns out, were right to ignore the forecast! Thanks also to our Race Officer (Oliver Groves with a helping hand from grandad), the safety boat crew (Dave Nicklin/Thomas Penty) and Helen Penty with her gang of helpers who kept everyone fed and watered.

Overall Results:

Pos	Helm	Sail No	Club	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1	Martin Penty	1982	Beaver SC	‑1	1	1	2
2	Giles Therkelson‑Smith	1974	Beaver SC	2	‑4	3	5
3	Alan Gillard	1551	Sheffield Viking SC	‑5	3	5	8
4	Steve Hanby	2162	Beaver SC	‑10	7	2	9
5	Dave Smith	1985	Beaver SC	‑7	2	7	9
6	Phil Priestley	1700	Yorkshire Dales SC	4	5	‑11	9
7	Dave Borrett	1864	Beaver SC	‑8	6	4	10
8	Richard Hanby	1995	Beaver SC	3	8	‑9	11
9	Peter Kitchen	1914	Tees and Hartlepool YC	6	‑10	10	16
10	Jon Aldhous	1703	Beaver SC	11	‑15	6	17
11	Nigel Robinson	1652	Beaver SC	9	9	‑17	18
12	Stuart Francis Burnett	2159	Beaver SC	‑17	14	8	22
13	Catherine Bradley	1866	Beaver SC	‑14	11	13	24
14	Matthew Whitfield	1901	Tamworth SC	12	‑16	14	26
15	Tim Bell	2170	Beaver SC	15	‑21	12	27
16	Richard Brameld	794	Beaver SC	‑16	12	15	27
17	Ian Whitfield	1900	Tamworth SC	13	18	‑21	31
18	Sandy Mills	2165	Winsford Flash SC	‑20	13	19	32
19	Peter Cogill	1683	Beaver SC	19	‑22	16	35
20	Nicole Ruhmann	1518	Beaver SC	18	‑19	18	36
21	Bob Towler	2105	Beaver SC	‑21	17	20	37
22	Lianne Therkelson	1888	Beaver SC	22	20	‑RET	42
23	Oliver Gabbitas	1515	York SC	‑23	23	22	45
24	Stephen Blair	2	Beaver SC	24	‑25	23	47
25	Nicholas Crellin	1593	Beaver SC	‑25	24	24	48