Portaferry Traditional Boat Regatta
by Kieran Gilmore 29 Aug 2010 09:36 BST
20-22 August 2010
Portaferry Traditional Boat Regatta © Kieran Gilmore
Last weekend Portaferry Sailing Club hosted the annual Traditional Boat Regatta. The weather was perfect for all three days and provided good sailing conditions for Saturday’s race. The start of the race from Black Boat Bay was a fabulous site with a bevy of red sails moving majestically up the Lough past the throng of spectators on the shore and there was an even bigger crowd to view their return to the finish line opposite the sailing club. A wide variety of boats took part including the Galway Hooker - Naomh Cronan, the Zulu Ketch - Bracan Lass, the gaff rigged yawl – Watercolour, the Cornish Shrimper – Bluechip and the Portaferry Punt – Gertrude to name a few.
Everyone had a great time on and off the water with lots of traditional music sessions throughout the town plus other land based events like the fish market with fish tasting and lots of family themed activities.
The committee of Portaferry Sailing Club wish to extend their thanks to all the competitors, to the sponsors Ards Tourism, Ards Borough Council and the John Hewitt Bar, to the Portaferry Community Collective for their hard work and organisation, to the Officer of the Day John McAlea and his team and to all those who gave of their time to ensure a successful and enjoyable event. We look forward to next year’s event.