Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Savouring being back out on the water, but missing the karate sailing

by Mark Jardine 25 May 2020 18:00 BST
Land Rover BAR's David 'Freddie' Carr and Paul Campbell-James messing about on boats on a windless Saturday at Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Bermuda © ACEA 2015 / Ricardo Pinto

It seems I struck a chord when we published 'The great grass-roots revival?' a fortnight ago. Since then lockdown restrictions have been gradually eased in both Australia and England: we're allowed to go sailing! Rules vary from nation to nation within the UK, and state to state in Australia, which makes things confusing, but the hope is that all will be able to get out on the water soon.

We of course are continuing to observe social distancing rules and need to be mindful of the conditions we're sailing in. While completely avoiding risk is impossible, with due care we can minimise the chances of needing rescue and that of having contact with people from outside our household.

Where it's possible, local club sailing is thriving. My own club at Keyhaven, nestled behind Hurst Castle at the very Western end of The Solent, has been bustling with activity. A myriad of craft are launching to take advantage of the glorious weather we've been having in the UK - another May bank holiday weekend with sunshine is a rarity indeed...

Saturday's high winds saw the kite surfers out in force; Sunday's solid breeze, gusting 25 knots at times, was enjoyed by the single-handers such as Lasers and Finns (one of the regulars decided instead to take their foiling windsurfer for a spin) and more than a few families sailing together.

Sunday for me was crewing in an RS Feva for my eldest son. At six-feet tall this is possible, although the complaint I heard most was that I was in the way and needed to duck down... easier said than done! It was a hugely enjoyable sail and my son came back beaming from ear to ear. This surely is the great grass-roots revival in full effect.

On Monday I took the Feva out again with my youngest son for his first sail of the year. After a morning of no wind, a light South Westerly sea breeze filled in, making it ideal. A plethora of dinghies, RIBs and paddleboards were taking advantage of the fine weather. A perfect day for 'messing about in boats'.

The two big missing elements are of course racing and the club social scene - the rivalry, the camaraderie, the post-race karate sailing*, the burgers on the barbecue, that beer at sunset after a close race.

What am I missing most? Without doubt it's the Lymington Thursday evening keelboat series. Sailing in a menagerie fleet of 80 boats in relaxed atmosphere with a bunch of good mates as we zig zag our way around the Western Solent is a highlight for many through the summer months. Social distancing on a keelboat isn't practical and the joy we gain from this is going to have to wait for the time being. It will return, and the enjoyment we derive from it is going to be savoured all the more after the enforced break.

It isn't fine weather everywhere, and our thoughts are with all those along the West coast of Australia being battered by ex-Tropical Cyclone Mangga.

Stay safe everyone.

Mark Jardine
Sail-World.com & YachtsandYachting.com Managing Editor

* Karate sailing - the hand actions made when discussing a scenario on the water, most often boats crossing

Related Articles

The oldest video footage of Moth sailing
A look back into our video archive, to when the name of this class first settled down We delve into our video archive to find the oldest possible videos that show Moth racing. Are these International Moths, British Moths... or was the name still Olive, Inverloch 11ft, National Moth or Brent One-Design?! Posted today at 11:00 am
The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? Posted on 2 Jul
An evening with the Scaramouche Sailing Trust
Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy (GCA). But they've shown it can be accessible to everyone, with amazing results. Posted on 2 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted on 1 Jul
Project FEAR is in the final few days
Charity circumnavigation almost over, in record time, with a record total raised Jazz Turner is expected to reach home (Brighton Marina) on Monday 30th June or Tuesday 1st July. She has sailed round the British Isles - all round Ireland and the Shetland Islands - without any assistance in 27 days so far. Posted on 28 Jun
Funding for clubs transforms sailing opportunities
During the latest RYA Participation Webinar we heard from UK clubs about their experiences During the latest RYA Participation Webinar we heard from a range of UK clubs, walking through their case studies, and then heard from experts in finance who talked us through the opportunities and pitfalls of acquiring funds. Posted on 26 Jun
A brief history of marine instrument networks
Hugh Agnew has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge One man who has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge, is Hugh Agnew, the Cambridge-educated mathematician who is one of the founders of A+T Instruments in Lymington, so I spoke to him to find out more... Posted on 25 Jun
Project FEAR turns southwards
Charity circumnavigation progress report from the Shetland Islands Last month I didn't even know that Muckle Flugga existed. Yet today, the very name of the island brought tears of emotion to my eyes, as I heard Jazz Turner scream it out in victory, in a video she took when passing the lighthouse. Posted on 22 Jun
The Big Bash
Every summer the tournament rolls into town. A short format of the game. Fun and excitement abound. Every summer the tournament rolls into town. Local and international players. A short format of the game, run over a relatively compact six-week season. Posted on 15 Jun
The oldest video footage of Kiel Week
A look back into our video archive at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s In our series of articles looking back in time through our video archive, we visit Germany. Kiel Week is been a crucial event on the world circuit, and here we look back at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s. Posted on 15 Jun