Squibs at Bridlington Regatta Week

by Tony Saltonstall 12 Aug 2016 11:14 BST 30 July - 6 August

The Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club once hosted 24 National Squibs as a class but over the years the numbers dwindled slowly but left 4 hardened Squib crews to contest the local trophies which includes a Goblet in silver handed over at a dinner by Queen Victoria. This coveted little trophy is the star of the regatta prizes and is intensely fought over by the remaining boats.

The racing for the 2016 Regatta Trophies:

• One for the overall result - Fairy Cup [ Q.V's] 10 races (2 lost to strong winds)
• One for the first six races
• One for the North of England Championships
• One for the last six races sailed

From the outset this was set to be a dogfight between the Old and the New—Squibs 12 and 840, with 772 and 880 being in the mix. Gerard Dyson, sailing 840 is unreservedly one of the top helms in the Squib Association – sailing the big events with Tony Saltonstall... but this regatta saw them again pitched against each other. Ghost 840, Dyson and Fred Ingham, tussling with Perkers 12, Neil Orum and Salty, at each start.

The starts were probably the key to this overgrown match race and whilst most would put their bet on the 840 team, Perkers was hot and slippery on the start line on 8 occasions. The other two saw her buried in one and over the line in the other, hitting marks etc... but that didn't end it all!

Perkers won 9 of the 10 races against all the expectations—particularly when over the previous two years she had won 5 races in a row to be beaten in the last 6!!!, but taken all into account, there was rarely a big distance between the first two boats and the pressure never let up..

Perkers is the second oldest Squib afloat and still shows her original mirror gelcoat finish, her original teak rubbing strakes AND all her original internal woodwork... a sheer credit to Neil Orum who looks after her like a fastidious father figure!! A 1968 boat that looks almost new!!

Sails? Perkers used a 2011 Hyde Jib, a 2015 vertical cut kite and a 2015 2A Hyde main. Ghost had a 2015 Hyde Jib, a 2015 Batt main and cross-cut kite. Both boats have Superspars rigs.

The final and non -counting race- the "Guy Shackles" - was an all-in pursuit which Ghost eventually won. Perkers came in 2nd after giving up a good lead by taking a wrong course. 772 Threadbare- Tim & Lynne Jones was 3rd, taking honours from Contessa 26's and some 36 footers that really should have been much further in front. A fantastic sailing day—you know- 20 kts, sunny, warm 5ft waves, surfing etc..Magic.

How Squibs have declined in Bridlington is a mystery... the harbour and bay are just ideal - the race area has a maximum of 1.2 knots springs and shelter from 250 degrees of the compass... It's a crying shame but life in Bridlington Bay without a Squib is unlikely to happen whilst these die-hards are around!