National Scouts Regatta at Draycote Water Sailing Club

130 Scouts from across the UK converged on Draycote for the National Scouts Regatta 2012 © Paula Irish

130 Scouts from across the UK converged on Draycote for the National Scouts Regatta 2012 © Paula Irish

More than 130 Scouts from across the UK converged on Draycote Water Sailing Club to compete for their annual national championship.

Ranging in age from 10 upwards, the Scouts raced over two days in singlehanded and doublehanded dinghies with categories for Under-13s, Under-15s and Under-18s, an additional category for leaders, helpers and Network Scouts, and 50 boats in total battling for honours.

Winners included Benedict Aveyard and Jonny Hissen from 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts, who sailed an RS Feva doublehander to take first place in the Under-15 slow fleet.

‘We won the cup! We won the cup!’ said Jonny, who added: ‘It was great to meet and compete with other Scouts from different groups, I thought it was tremendous.’

Having practised at their local sailing clubs and on summer camp, the regatta was a chance for the participants to make friends, share new experiences, gain in confidence and complete badgework - one requirement of the Scout Nautical Skills badge is to take part in a competition.

Draycote Water Sailing Club member Jenny Stockbridge, of 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts, who was one of the organisers, said: ‘It was lovely to see the Scouts and Explorers making new friends and being reunited with friends from last year, as well as having some fantastic sailing - from the youngest Scout who has only been on her own in a boat twice before to the more experienced sailors who came back this year to try and win back the trophy they took home last year!’

Those competing were: 1st Blofield and Brundall Sea Scouts, Norfolk; 1st Cogenhoe Sea Scouts, Northamptonshire; 1st Mancetter (St Peters) Scout Group, Warwickshire; 1st Raglan Scouts, Monmouthshire, Wales; 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts, Warwickshire; 2nd West Kirby Sea Scouts, Merseyside; 3rd South Shields, Tyne and Wear; 4th Heswall Sea Scouts, Merseyside; 4th New Forest North, Hampshire; Crosby Scout and Guide Marina Club, Merseyside; Northampton District, Northampton; and 3rd Witham (St Nicholas), Essex.

Under 18 Singlehanded results:

Under 18 Fast handicap results:

Under 18 slow handicap results:

Under 15 singlehanded results:

Under 15 fast handicap results:

Under 15 slow handicap results:

Under 13 singlehanded results:

Under 13 fast handicap results:

Under 13 slow handicap results: