Highlights of the Summer Calendar at the Blackwater Sailing Club

by Gay Ayton 27 Aug 19:33 BST

Blackwater Sailing Club (Maldon, Essex) has celebrated another outstanding summer with the successful staging of its annual Cadet Week and Club Week, the flagship events that continue to be the highlight of the Club's calendar.

Together the events brought hundreds of sailors, volunteers, families and supporters together for two weeks of exceptional sailing, excellent coaching, friendship and community spirit.

Off for ice cream at the promanade - Blackwater SC's cadet week - photo © Anna Lau

Cadet Week inspires the next generation

Held from 26-31 July, Cadet Week welcomed 145 young sailors supported by an army of about 145 volunteers from instructors, race officials, dinghy instructors, training group leaders, race organisers, rib crews to bridge and ramp teams, the galley team, stewards and countless others working tirelessly under the leadership of Cadet Skipper Jonny Garlick and Deputy Tom Cecil.

Blessed with sunshine and fresh breezes, cadets enjoyed coaching with three optimist training groups on the lake, four river training fleets and five racing groups on the river as well as the adventure cruises in a barge and traditional sail to Maldon complete with water fights on the way and ice cream at the Promenade.

Off the water, cadets enjoyed equally memorable activities including the talent show, tractor pull, field and lake games and their legendary cadet disco.

Sailing to Maldon - Blackwater SC's cadet week - photo © Anna Lau

Club Week delivers top class racing

If Cadet Week celebrated the future of the Club, Club Week showcased the strength and diversity of its entire membership.

135 boats competed across 10 fleets during the week (10-16 August), with sailors ranging from first-time racers to former national and world champions. Excellent sailing conditions throughout most of the week produced competitive racing across every fleet with numerous battles remaining undecided until the final race. The Cock of the River finale saw fleet winners compete in identical boats and Nikki Taylor, a Laser sailor crowned overall champion.

Blackwater SC's club week - photo © Zoe Nelson

Onshore sailors enjoyed a packed social agenda including charity cream teas, disco bingo, quiz night, the Commodore's Caribbean supper and live music.

Sheena Berney, the Blackwater Sailing Club Commodore, said: "These weeks demonstrate what this Club is all about. They bring together every generation of sailor creating unforgettable memories both on and off the water. A highlight was excellent performances by cadets and juniors who also race in Club Week, particularly our young Optimist sailors showing adults what close competition looks like. None of it of course would be possible without the tremendous commitment of our volunteers whose hard work makes these events such a success year after year."

With record participation, fantastic weather and an outstanding community spirit, the Club has once again demonstrated why its summer programme is one of the highlights of the local sporting calendar.

Blackwater SC's club week - photo © Zoe Nelson

Results for Cadet Week: Racing Group Winners:

General Handicap MG: Jess Welch & Bonnie Marshall - Snipe
Laser MG: Stanley Johnson. Ist ILCA 4 - Mara Thomas
Feva MG: Daniel Hall & Bertie Elderton
Topper/Tera MG: Arthur Moncrieff
Optimist MG: Matthew Marshall

Results for Club Week Fleet Winners:

Optimist: Victor Iszatt
Mirrors: Julie Nelson & Clare Lambert / Kiley Gooch
Short course: Carlie Jenkins (1st series), Esme Thomas & Florence Fenton (2nd series)
Fast handicap: Mike Iszatt
Fireball: Charlie Stewart & Sue Gibson / Becca Shepherd
Medium handicap: Rob & Wendy Walker (1st series), Rob Carver & Ronnie Bartlett (2nd series)
Medium handicap, 1st Solo: Ian Smith
Medium handicap, 1st 420: Katherine & Wren Carver
Laser: Nikki Taylor (1st series), Austin Edwards (2nd series)
Wayfarer: Dave & Clem Evans (1st series), Steve Perkins & Mike Mansell (2nd series)
Wayfarer, 1st Lady helm: Osea Evans
Wayfarer, most improved: Dominic & Graham Fisher
Wayfarer, best classic: Andy & Angie Dyer
Sprite: Steve & Mark Jarred (also won the Bunting challis and David Marlow Salver)
Sprite, Thursday cup: Marcus Gallo & Gill Callander
Cruiser: Egret