Burghfest Regatta 2021 at Burghfield Sailing Club
by Nigel Rolfe 27 Jul 2021 16:18 BST
24-25 July 2021
Ben Rolfe, Burghfield Sailing Club Champion 2021 © Peter Blackman
Burghfield Sailing Club wanted to say a massive thank you to its membership for being so supportive during the lockdown with its own Club Championship, Junior Club Championships and music festival.
Due to rising Covid-19 cases we were very conscious to make this an outdoors event and to allow everyone to enjoy themselves in a safe environment. We just needed the weather to play ball.
Over the weekend, we had 31 competitors in the main fleet and 17 Youths/Juniors. On Saturday, we also held our first Stand Up Paddleboard Championship with novices, juniors and adults all taking part. The only rule was you had to be standing as you crossed the finish line! It was great entertainment for those watching and smiles all around from those taking part. The youths not surprisingly taking the top two places.
There were seven races across three days for the main fleet, starting with a breezy 90-minute pursuit on Friday. The competition was fierce, but Ben Rolfe managed to pull the rabbit out of the hat to win the final race and Championship and with it the win.
In the Juniors, the day two leader was Charlie Howard, and it looked like this was going to be his event, but Adam Craig, in his Oppy, pulled out all the stops to take the Gold.
At the daily prize giving, there was plenty of Rooster vouchers up for grabs, but the rules were you could only win them once which created further excitement!
Fortunately, the evening weather was on our side and enabled everyone to enjoy the regatta evenings in style. The stage was set by Stunning Tents. Over the two evenings, six bands played, getting the party started, helped by one of our sponsors, Just Pressed Cider! The evenings were complemented by the outside bar and beach cafe.
Our final act on Sunday was during the prize-giving, finishing the weekend with a bang along with Sunsail, who had donated two £250 vouchers for the end of the event raffle!
Well done to all our prizes winners, and a huge thank you to all our sponsors Stunning Tents, Gourmet Queens, Rooster Sailing, Sunsail and Just Pressed Cider.
Big thank you to all our volunteers and helpers without whom this would not have happened.
Burghfest Regatta 2022? Definitely, and we may even make this an open event so more can enjoy the party and what Burghfield Sailing Club has to offer!
Overall Results:
Main Fleet
1st Ben Rolfe, RS Aero 7
2nd Craig Richards, Blaze
3rd Ann Jackson, Solo
Silver Fleet
1st Paul Taylor
2nd Steve Townsend
3rd Will Mason
Junior Fleet
1st Adam Craig, Optimist
2nd Charlie Howard, ILCA 4
3rd Sebby Bailey, Optimist
PaddleBoarding
1st Charlie Howard
2nd Arthur Bailey
3rd Tim Jones