Please select your home edition
Edition
Stoneways Marine 2021 - LEADERBOARD

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

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 today at 1:30 pm
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
Jazz Turner's fundraising target is smashed
Already £30k raised for Sailability, so it's time to up the ante Jazz Turner has now passed the northern-most tip of Ireland and is on her way to the Shetland Islands, and at the same time her fundraising total of £30,000 has been smashed! Posted on 15 Jun
The X-Yachts Gold Cup Experience
A celebration of sailing, of X-Yachts and, most importantly of all, people Having just returned from Haderslev, Denmark - which is the home of X-Yachts and played host to the X-Yachts Gold Cup 2025 - I was left wondering if this was a racing event, a rally or a social celebration amongst close friends. Posted on 10 Jun
Jazz Turner is now nearing Ireland
Fundraising circumnavigation almost hits the £30k target after just 8 days afloat As at the 10th June Jazz is 8 days out from Brighton, and starting to near Ireland. Jazz had hoped to be further along than this, but the winds have been forcing her to stay close-hauled ever since she started. Posted on 10 Jun
The evolving world of sailing fabrics
The sport of sailing is evolving, and the clothing we wear is changing with it The sport of sailing is evolving, and the clothing we wear is changing with it. We see features such as impact protection becoming more commonplace, but there is a more subtle change happening with the fabric of the garments themselves. Posted on 4 Jun
Jazz Turner sets off around the British Isles
Wheelchair cast aside for a gruelling fundraising voyage for Sailability We have been following Jazz Turner on a quest to become the first female wheelchair user to complete a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the British Isles. Today she left Brighton Marina, velcro-ed to the windward side on the epic voyage. Posted on 2 Jun
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys. Posted on 1 Jun