Scottish Scout Regatta at The Lochgoilhead Centre

Scottish Scout Regatta at The Lochgoilhead Centre © Jane Campbell Morriso

The 2012 Scottish Scout Regatta took place at The Lochgoilhead Centre, one of the Scottish Scout Association's National Activity Centres, over the weekend of the 29th and 30th September. The event was a success with over 140 participants taking part in five different races within three different age groups from scouts to leaders. Racing took place in Toppers, Topazs, Bahias, Canoes and kayaks giving everyone an opportunity to compete in a variety of craft.

The event was attended by RYA Scotland who provided support throughout the weekend by running the Honda Youth RIB Powerboat Challenge course which allowed youngsters from across the scout association to pit their powerboat handling skills against each other.

Each day was a complex programme of on water racing, moving people between single handed and double handed sailing, and kayaking. Those who weren't racing, but who still wanted to be on the water, came to the powerboat challenge. The timescales for each of the activities were often challenging, but everyone made it to their respective events without too much loss of time. Those who weren't on the water took part in a wide range of land based activity, ensuring everyone had something to do.

Saturday the 29th presented some challenging sailing conditions with strong gusts throughout the day, testing participants. A strong team of professional staff from The Lochgoilhead Centre and a number of Volunteers from the Scout associations active support groups were on hand to ensure the smooth running of the event in these conditions.

Sunday the 30th saw a much calmer day with ideal conditions for racing. All concerned pulled together to get through a large back log of races from the previous day and ensured the sailing was completed on schedule. The Sunday provided a good opportunity for all the teams attending to watch proceedings from the shore cheering on team members and created a fantastic atmosphere around the event.

Results were announced at the prize ceremony on the Sunday afternoon with the overall winners being The 1st West Lothian Sea Scouts. The sectional awards were as follows: scouts- 1st West Lothian, explorers 29th Glasgow Sea Scouts and network/leader went to Avoch Sea scouts.

Particular thanks go out to the RYA for their assistance with the event in particular to Iona Cornish for her support as the race officer for the event. Other thanks go to Cumbrae National Watersports Centre, Longcraigs Scout Centre and the 29th Glasgow Sea Scouts for their support with boats and equipment.

Huge thanks to all of the volunteers and participants for their help and making the event a fantastic success for a second year.