Bala Family Week Regatta at Bala Sailing Club

Bala Family Fun Week © John Hunter

Bala Family Fun Week © John Hunter

Bala Family Fun Week © John Hunter

As the club is closed over winter there is no opportunity to celebrate Christmas together, so the annual family week regatta in August had an Xmas theme with tree, decorations, fancy dress and even a visit from Santa who arrived in the club rib heavily disguised as a sleigh.

The 30 competing adult boats and 24 youngsters experienced a wide range of sailing conditions and their high spirits and enthusiasm overcame the predominantly grey and overcast weather conditions. Both adult and junior fleets participated in 9 regatta races, a pursuit race and a fastest lap competition.

As well as the classes normally sailed on the lake, this year saw our Drascombe Lugger competing with a quickly-calculated handicap. With its crew of 10, many non-sailing visitors grabbed the opportunity to get afloat in the relative comfort and safety of this 7 metre vessel.

In between and after racing, entertainment was provided by the youngsters jousting on a slippery pole suspended just above the water from a jetty in front of the clubhouse. It does seem that children, chips and water make a great combination for fun.

Some very creative bottle boats were built during the week and raced from the Lugger back to shore on Wednesday evening before retiring to the clubhouse for Salsa dance lessons.

Bala's recently created ‘Youth Squad’ was in full swing during the week making sure that our most junior members got onto the water in the clubs Toppers and Picos for a mix of games and races around a small triangular course.

The weather didn’t manage to dampen any enthusiasm and the consensus was a great week had been had by all. Ideas for next years theme are already being discussed – watch this space!

Adult Results:

Junior Results: