Scouts celebrate with 100 boats on Hamble River

In 1907 Lord Robert Baden-Powell held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island in Poole. He brought together 20 boys, some from public schools and some from working class homes, and put them into camp under his leadership. In 2007, 28 million young people worldwide now take part in the adventure of Scouting and this year the movement celebrates its centenary.

As part of our own local celebrations, on 2nd June 2007 Fareham West and Itchen South Scout Districts organised a Parade of 100 Boats along the Hamble River. 100 boats of all shapes and sizes gathered just off Premier Marina in Swanwick and at 12:30 yachts, powerboats, dinghies and kayaks all paraded in harmony along the river finishing at Warsash Sailing Club for a well earned and relaxed social gathering.

The day started early for some, closing car parks, rigging masts and putting the finishing touches to that all important paperwork. We were blessed with a perfect day for the event and the best weather for weeks although the sailors could have done with a few more knots of wind to help them to the starting line. By 10:00am all was quiet on the Hamble apart from the jittering nerves of the organisers based in Shore House at Warsash Sailing Club. It’s an enormous challenge, and exercise of courage and safety procedures to co-ordinate 100 vessels parading down one of the busiest rivers in the world.

Vessels of all sizes made their way up river for the start: Hamble Sea Scout’s concrete gaffer with all her bunting flying, a Wayfarer bursting with cubs and scouts and an open canoe being paddled furiously. The District Commissioner of Fareham West was running the control box at Warsash, making sure that the right number of people got out on the water, and more importantly, that the same number came back. At midday the Mayors of Fareham and Eastleigh laden with heavy gold chains boarded the Discovery Sailing Project yacht ‘Discovery’ at Premier Marina and at 12:15 poignant prayers were said and a blessing made over VHF for all those sailing on the river that day.

Two minutes to go before the start dinghies and kayaks were milling around in bright sunshine waiting to go and one more boat arrived with Sea Scouts that had been taking part in the annual Royal Navy Summer Camp held onboard HMS Bristol in Portsmouth Dockyard.

At 12:30 the 60 foot Thermopylae Clipper crossed the start line and led the parade down the river. From then on every few seconds the siren signaled for another vessel to join the parade and as if on command, the breeze picked up to a reasonable Force 3 enabling the dinghy sailors to start with some self-esteem. “It was great fun. My first words when the wind picked up were watch the boom! I ducked but Ed, my crew, didn’t!” said John O’Rourke – Assistant Scout Leader, 1st Titchfield Sea Scouts on ‘Vincent’ the Vibe. What a melee! An old seagull outboard gave up on a rowing boat which had to be towed to the Start line; 3 distinguished gentlemen were sitting in plastic garden chairs on a small motor launch; a Scout was dangling from a Bosun’s chair half way up one of the tallest masts on the river and a Drascombe Longboat passed full of Beavers who pulled wonderful faces for the camera. “The kids had never sailed together before, for some of them it was their first time on the water, but they were marvellous and listened to everything they were told” explained Mike Would – Skipper of the Drascombe Longboat ‘Jubilee’.

On the way down the river, the breeze dropped off again, but no-one seemed to be in a rush. Egrets were flying low over the water with just a few wisps of cirrus in a virtually cloudless sky. The Scouts on two Wayfarers were having a water fight and the crew on a GP14 were lobbing seaweed at their fellow participants on a Topper Vibe to pass the time. Two fishermen out for a quiet afternoon’s fish, at anchor off Mercury Marina in a little black boat, gave up and went home after kayaks, dinghies and power boats passed close by chucking water and generally having fun. The lead boat arrived at the finishing line off Warsash Sailing Club at about 13:15 with Jon Redman, a Fareham West Explorer, up the mast videoing the boats as they cross the line. A single handed Laser skimmed past on it’s ear, a little lad, barely out of short trousers, finished his solo leg in an RS Feva and one single handed young lad was using his Scouting Initiative by motoring with his sails up until the very last moment. “It was so much fun, very laid back, and I had a brilliant time with all my friends” added Amy Wyatt – Sea Scout from 1st Titchfield and crew on ‘Candy’

By 14:00 the yacht “Discovery” was moored up on the Warsash pontoon with all her flags flying and the Mayors disembarked for refreshments at Warsash Sailing Club. The majority of the parade arrived in a fairly tight group and soon the last dozen brave paddlers brought their kayaks over the finishing line. The lawns of Warsash Sailing Club were soon filled with participants, their families, Leaders, the Scouting teams from District and County, representatives of local businesses and sponsors who all enjoyed the BBQ and a well earned drink whilst recounting adventures out on the water.

What a day, what a feel good factor there was out on the water – an occasion that can truly claim to be unique. Memories that will last a lifetime were made on 2nd June 2007 as hundreds of people joined in to celebrate 100 years of Scouting. Liz Brightwell, the Hampshire Scouts Deputy County Chairman said “100 Boats, 1000 smiling faces, what an amazing day, and it is all arranged by volunteers!” The many benefits that Scouting offers to the young people of our community are mostly down to the time and commitment given by our adult Leaders and supporters. They are all volunteers and rely heavily on donations to purchase and maintain the equipment needed to provide the adventurous activities the children enjoy so much. Please consider making a contribution to help improve the quality and range of activities we are able to offer to the youth of our community, thank you.

Please visit our website at www.100years100boats.net for on-line donations and more information about this great day. One person really can make a difference to the life of our young people and as this year promises to be one of the most exciting times to be involved with Scouting why not join in?