Star studded entry list, star venue for the Noble Marine Rooster RS400 Nationals
by Sally Campbell 3 Mar 2022 14:00 GMT
8-12 August 2022
Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships venue © Steve Cockerill
Just two weeks after entry opened the Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships at East Lothian YC, 8th-12th August already has a star-studded entry list, including sailors from the south coast of England and Ireland, as well as the far north of Scotland and the north of England.
Others in the fleet have booked their accommodation but are still to finalise crew/helm/boat details etc before entering.
The last time the fleet held the RS400 National Championships at ELYC in North Berwick was in 2013, and the venue is an undiscovered gem for many current RS400 sailors, so we asked Steve Cockerill, who placed 3rd last year and 2x winner Stewart Roberston what makes East Lothian YC so special, and so worth the trip up from the South and South West of England, where it is actually only an hour or two further than the 2021 venue, South Shields.
Steve says "East Lothian Sailing Club offers a traditional Scottish Welcome. The air is fresh, the sea is clean and a number of great sailing areas can be used depending on the wind direction.
The boat park is on the grass a short walk from the harbour where a cosy, welcoming club house is situated. Launching is easy on a sandy beach which is sheltered by all but a Northerly and a bustling main street is a short walk away.
The waves can vary greatly depending on wind direction, so every day is a challenge, but the evening walks along the sandy beaches as the sun sets, does it for me."
Stewart agrees, "as Steve says - The Sailing can be on the east course or west of Craigleith Island. There is a tide to be considered but does not dictate tactics entirely. In an easterly there can some great waves in the East Bay.
The Town has lots of nice places to eat with a good chip shop at the east end of the High St.
The club has good changing rooms, galley and seating area, a nice bar with great views over the water and a good supply of great beers, although you won't find Steve there!
For the family, there is a choice of beaches in the town, east and west, with putting greens near the dinghy park. The area has lots of other beaches nearby such as at Gullane and Yellowcraigs.
There are walks in and around the town, trips round the Bass Rock, the John Muir coastal walk which extends east and west and often runs adjacent to golf courses. (There are a lot of golf courses. As a friend once said 'I used to play golf but I'm better now'.) There are places like East Fortune Museum of flight, Myreton Motor museum, Tantalon and Dirleton Castle to visit.
The event is during the Edinburgh Festival so it would be possible to catch the odd show. There is also the 'Fringe by the Sea' - 5th - 14th August. Texas (who the older sailors may remember) are playing in North Berwick on Saturday 6th August.
Dunbar to the east is an interesting small town with a nice harbour and adjacent coast and is an option for accommodation if there isn't anything suitable in North Berwick.
North Berwick has always been a favourite place for our family and I'm sure the club will work hard to ensure that it is a great event to go to."
Stewart advises booking accommodation early as it is a popular place, more so since lockdown. There is a camp site within walking distance to the east if that is the preference.
The early entry deadline is not until 15th May, so sailors have plenty of time, but we encourage early entry, not only because all those entered by 31st March will be receive a fabulous event-branded Rooster dry bag, but also because it will help the Class Association and club plan the very best possible Nationals for everyone.
The RS Class Association's two demo boats will be in use at the event, to encourage new sailors to the fleet. Ben Hay will sailing one of them and says "Thank you so much for lending us the 400 for the nationals. We are really looking forward to trying out a different class and experiencing a new fleet and the boat, it will be looked after as if it was our own." At the time of writing the other demo boat is still available - contact if you are interested.
Full details, NoR and entry pages can be found on the RS400 Class Association event website. Have a look and whet your appetite - after a fabulous day's sailing, will you join Steve on the beach, or Stewart in the bar?!