Phantom Southeast Travellers at Broadwater Sailing Club

Race 4 start - Phantom Southeast Travellers at Broadwater © John Greaves

Broadwater Sailing Club hosted the final round of the 2025 Phantom Southeast Traveller Series on Saturday 18th October. The conditions were overcast and dry, with forecasts predicting 7-12kts with gusts up to 15kts. Twenty-two boats in total took to the water, an increase of six from last year's open.

The competitors were met with warm welcomes and the unmistakable grin of the eternally cheerful Dave Patrick #1416 Broadwater SC — a man whose smile could probably charge some mobile phones. Wasting no time, the sailors dove into gratefully received bacon rolls and enough tea and coffee to caffeinate a battlegroup.

Even before a single sail was hoisted, the hot topic was who'd be stuck writing the report. Turns out, fate still has a wicked sense of humour... and here we are. Again. Alas, I must decisively get better or worse in my overall standings next time.

The racing was tight — we're talking elbows-out-at-the-Jumble sale kind of tight — with boats rounding marks two or even three abreast. There was no shortage of enthusiastic commentary (read: yelling), a few gentle love taps, and the occasional penalty gracefully accepted all in good spirits, of course — competitive but fair, just like the well-known family board game that almost ends in a fistfight.

The wind had its fun too. A few sailors were unceremoniously introduced into the lake via unexpected gusts, leading to surprise immersion (see: Race 2). Others decided to check just how shallow the lake could be by digging their foils into the bottom — some more dramatically than others (see: Race 4). No need for bathymetry and science, the Phantoms found the remaining shallow spots.

A Southerly wind started to fill in before taking to the water, and most races ranged from 4kts to 10kts with the occasional rogue 15kt gust.

Richard Nurse - Phantom Southeast Travellers at Broadwater - photo © John Greaves

Race 1

In some of the lightest breeze of the day — and at points we're talking just barely enough to ruffle a crisp packet — the upwind legs turned into a full-blown game of nautical Snakes and Ladders. Those with patience, cunning, and a suspicious amount of racing experience glided ahead, while others watched helplessly as their boats parked up like they were queuing for a seafront ice cream van. It was less about agility, more about zen.

Race 2

The wind was more consistent most favouring the committee boat end, but it was so crowded it resembled gulls behind the trawler. Sprucey#1342 Lee on Solent, never one to fade quietly into the background, made his grand entrance to the competition with a bang — quite literally — after some hastily undertaken repairs shore-side during Race 1. He charged up the first beat like a man on a mission, he was looking seriously competitive... right up until his first gybe, a swift capsize just before the first leeward mark put an end to the drama. Some say they heard a long, mournful sigh echoing across the water as he landed. I can confirm, dear readers... the phrase used was definitely not printable!

Race 3

In a valiant push to climb the leaderboard, a couple of boats got a little too keen on the start line — earning themselves a swift OCS. Some returned behind the line like naughty schoolkids, while others sailed the race towards disappointment. Richard Nurse, Will Gulliver and Alex Spurgeon rounded the windward mark 3 abreast prior to Richard switching gears from drifting to dusting the fleet with his superior downwind speed.

Race 4

Will Gulliver #1481, Northampton SC, sitting in 2nd place, was really giving it the beans trying to chase down Richard. Unfortunately, he may have tried a bit too hard — edging into water shallower than a politician's promise. His centreboard popped up, the boat skated sideways like confused seal on a frozen lake, and his rudder took one look at the chaos and jumped itself clean off the pintle. The grand finale? A spectacular capsize... in a majestic 30 cm of water. A tough break for Will — but a glorious moment for those behind, who sailed past with a mix of sympathy and smugness, grateful for the free position upgrade.

Bill Taylor - Phantom Southeast Travellers at Broadwater - photo © John Greaves

Overall Recap

A massive congrats to Richard Nurse #1500 Northampton SC, who absolutely dominated — aside from the first race, where he kindly let the rest of us feel useful for five minutes. He stormed through the rest, winning so decisively it made the rest of us wonder if we'd accidentally entered a different fleet.

Mark Addison #1489 Upper Thames SC was his usual lightning-fast self, cruising into second and giving Richard just enough pressure to keep glancing over his shoulder.

Jeremy Deacon #1423 Broadwater SC claimed a classy third overall with a hat-trick of 3rd places—and for the second-year running, he's bringing home the Broadwater Phantom trophy, which is more slab than silverware. Seriously, you need a spare trailer for that Thud Nugget.

Back on dry land, the sailors were met with an absolute feast fit for champions — The Buffet of Bad Decisions — featuring a heroic spread of sandwiches, quiches, sausage rolls, pork pies, real ale, and enough cake to keep the Bake Off judges busy for weeks.

Of course, it did absolutely nothing for the waistlines of the sturdy sea sailors, who knowingly committed full-blown carbageddon. The hospitality bar has now been set dangerously high. Some suspect this might be a cunning long-game from Dave Patrick — fatten them up now, then sweep next year's inland events while they're wallowing and wheezing in his wake.

As plates were cleared and belts discreetly loosened, the day's most notable (and cringeworthy) moments were relived with laughter and exaggerated hand gestures. The rigours of close competition gave way to warm memories — and maybe just one more slice of cake.

Podium places at the Phantom Southeast Travellers at Broadwater - photo © Alex Spurgeon

Event Results:

Overall Series results:

The Southeast Travellers series also culminated at this event; the standings were wide open on points before this event. Congratulations to all those who took part.

1st Alex Spurgeon #1274 Lee on Solent SC - 13pts
2nd Jeremy Deacon #1423 Broadwater SC - 15 pts
3rd Chris Shelton #1491 Downs SC - 19pts

A special mention and thank you to Chris Shelton, the Southeast representative since 2019, doing a super job booking and communicating the season's events. Bravo.

Lastly, thank you you Broadwater Sailing Club members for hosting a well-organised, competitive, friendly, and accomplished event in the Southeast Series — an essential date for the Phantom Sailors' 2026 calendar!

Southeast Traveller Series podium (after the Phantom Southeast Travellers at Broadwater) - photo © Alex Spurgeon