High Summer at Overy Staithe Sailing Club
by Jennie Clark 21 Aug 2023 15:00 BST
High Summer at Overy Staithe (club regatta) © Jennie Clark
August always sees the club at its busiest, with many of the members making the most of their holidays to join in a wide range of events. The club also hosts its regatta over this time, which opens up racing to non-members too.
This year the club hosted a junior social event on the Tuesday night, a new event proposed at the club's AGM and organised by committee member Lucy Lamont. The social took the form of a disco held in the Quay Room at Burnham Overy Boathouse. A total of 59 young members enjoyed music and a range of snacks and soft drinks. The quay hummed with the chatter of parents enjoying the evening sunshine. A wonderful start to a busy few days!
On Wednesday evening the junior members raced for the Wilson-Stephens Cup and the ladies of the club raced for their Ladies trophy. This year the club has had a clear focus on encouraging juniors to compete in club events and it was incredibly encouraging to see 17 young sailors on the water in a mix of Pico, Mirror and Topper dinghies.
Faire Sailing's Race Coach, Ellie Clark, providing pre-race coaching and was on the water watching the juniors throughout the race, and Ash Faire-Ring took his workboat out to provide parents with the chance to watch the racing 'from the course'.
With such a huge fleet out racing it was good to have the experienced team of George Smith and Paul Goakes providing safety cover.
The ladies race saw eight members take part sailing a mixture of single and double handed boats. Anna Morley (Europe) shot away from the start line and developed a commanding lead to win overall, with Jane Heath (Lightning) in 2nd and the Laser Radials of Sophia Hodges and Catherine Goodley in 3rd and 4th. Julie Carroll and Ruth Smith were first double handed boat (Twinkle Twelve) in 5th.
Open sailing commenced on Thursday morning, with racing commencing 7.00. A hardy fleet of 21 boats took part in the Pursuit race for the Crossley Holland trophy, and this was won by George Smith (ILCA 6) with a nail-biting dash for the line with Mark Beck (Europe) and Alex Scoles (OK) chasing hard and crossing the line just seconds after George. There were a number of other close finishers which kept the race team on their toes!
Regatta day 1 saw another early start (07.45), with 7 separate fleet starts to keep RO Andy Turner his race team busy. Some of those competing were rumoured to be back at their desks in time to start work at 9 - the joy of tidal racing! Winners were Alex Smith/Paul Beachell (Sharpie), Alex Scoles (OK), Ash Deakin (Laser), George Smith (Laser Radial), Sophia Hodges (Laser 4.7), Gemma and Isla Dow (Mirror), Jasper Keeling (Junior), Mark Beck (Europe), Ben and Jacob Goakes (Wooden clinkers) and Dave Cooper/Clare Wathes (open handicap).
Regatta day 2 commenced at 08.00 on Saturday and RO's Andy Turner and Mark Beck expertly managed the 7 fleets, providing another good morning of racing for the competitors. With the wind having freshened and moved to a southerly direction the start was from committee boat "Maggie May". Winners were Alex Smith/Paul Beachell (Sharpie), Alex Scoles (Europe), Ash Deakin (Laser), George Smith (Laser Radial), Lucy Lamont (Laser 4.7), Gemma and Isla Dow (Mirror), Georgia Toosey (Junior), Rodney Tidd (OK), Ben and Liberty Goakes (Wooden clinkers) and Dave Cooper (open handicap).
After two days of fleet starts, Sunday's racing was for the William A Haines Memorial Cup and took the form of a pursuit race. This is a fund-raising race for the RNLI and it was good to hear the donations hitting the bucket! A race within the race saw the Clinker boats also competing for Regatta Challenge Cup.
The regatta prize-giving was held in the Village Hall after racing.
Junior results:
1st Topper - Lexi Adams
2nd Topper - Fred Archie
3rd Topper - Theo Adams
4th Pico - Georgia Toosey
5th Topper - Liberty Goakes
6th Topper - Jacob Goakes
Adult fleet:
1st overall - Paul Goakes and Natasha Dow
2nd overall - Alex Scoles
3rd overall - Malcolm Morley
1st clinker - Paul Goakes and Natasha Dow
Prizes awarded:
Wilson Stephens (under 17) - Lexi Adams (Topper)
Crossley Holland - 1st George Smith (Laser Radial)
Green Trophy (Mirrors) - Gemma and Isla Dow
Stella Trophy (Clinkers) - Ben and Liberty Goakes
Europe Trophy - Malcolm Morley
Murray Noyes (Juniors) - Georgia Toosey
Lorrimer Cup (Clinkers) - Ben and Jacob Goakes
Capt Rix Trophy (OK's) - Rodney Tidd
Earl Cup (OK's) - Alex Scoles
Stratton Cup (Handicap) - Dave Cooper
Storer Trophy (Lasers) - Ashley Deakin
Haines Cup (Pursuit) - Paul Goakes and Natasha Dow
Maclean Trophy (Laser Radial) - George Smith
Evans Cup (Laser 4.7) - Lucy Lamont
Douglas Carruthers Bowl (Handicap under 14ft) - Dave Cooper and Claire Wathes
Thursby Cup (Sharpies) - Alex Smith and Paul Beachell
Regatta Tankard (Handicap over 14ft) Alex Smith and Paul Beachell