Streaker North Sails Northern Paddle Series at Hornsea Sailing Club

Streaker North Sails Northern Paddle Series at Hornsea © Brian Kelly

Saturday 25th April saw the return of the Streaker fleet to Hornsea Mere for the opening event of the 2026 North Sails Northern Paddle Series. With the forecast showing around 7mph building to 15mph and sun throughout the day, it was expected to be a great day for the gathered fleet. However, it proved to be somewhat more challenging!

On arrival, it was obvious that there had been some sort of time shift with the breeze already around the 15mph mark and dark water showing the gusts spreading out across the mere! Restricted by the NE wind direction, the race team set a tight course of "old school" triangles and sausages. With the windward mark falling under the influence of the island, the approach to it was always going to be subject to changes in both wind direction and speed.

The first race set the trend for the day with Giles Therkelson-Smith (Beaver SC) and Pete Gray (Staunton Harold SC) out front, followed by the rest of the Beaver SC contingent and Ian Priest (Ripon SC) also in the mix. The gusty conditions made for some big distance gains and losses as the fleet reached away from the shelter of the island, ready to catch out the unwary at the turning marks.

After a break for lunch, sitting out in the warm spring sun while sheltering from the chilly breeze coming straight off the North Sea, the fleet ventured out for back-to-back races two and three.

Giles and Pete again showed the fleet the way around the course with both Steve Hanby (Beaver SC) and Dave Borrett (Beaver SC) pushing them, ready to capitalise on any error. Further back in the fleet the racing was close with places changing nearly as frequently as the gusts fanning out across the mere.

A wind shift at the start of race three allowed Dave and Pete to break away from the fleet. On the second beat, Giles showed impressive upwind speed to close down the leaders, only to fall foul of an unforgiving wind shift at the windward mark that allowed him to wash his sail before deciding to retire! Pete took the win followed by Dave, Steve and the closing fleet.

Thank you to all the volunteers at Hornsea SC. Everyone agreed that it was a great day, with close racing throughout the fleet in conditions that were testing. The results prove testament to this with ties and close scores down the table. Giles Therkelsen-Smith took the overall win ahead of Pete Gray in second. Dave Borrett pipped Steve Hanby to take third on a tie break.

Overall Results:

Next up for Streaker travellers this May:

• Hunts Open 9 May - Midland Series / East Anglian Series - NEW
• Margate Open 9-10 May - South East Series - NEW
• Ripon Open 9 May - North Sails Northern Paddle Series
• Oulton Broad Open 16 May - HD Sails Southern Paddle Series
• St Mary's Loch Open 16 May - HD Sails Scottish Series