Waldringfield Cadet Week 2026 'Lucky Dip' on Day 1
by Emma Winchester 30 Aug 13:16 BST
28-31 August 2026
Waldringfield Cadet Week 'Lucky Dip' on Day 1 © Emma Winchester
Waldringfield Cadet Week got off to a cracking start on Friday with a 'lucky dip' of never-seen-before helm and crew pairings. The fun-filled day focussed on teaming up new helms with experienced crews or brand new crews sailing with our very experienced helms with the aim that everyone would come off the water having learnt something new from the person they were sailing with. Over 54 sailors took part on day, this included 8 sailors from this year's Waldringfield Junior Sailing programme.
In blustery and increasingly breezy conditions, the fleet took advantage of high water as they raced 'round the island', challenged themselves with a zig-zag reach-to-reach course and finished with multiple laps of a windward-leeward sausage.
It was fantastic to see the experienced helms supporting new crews to develop their skills and gain confidence in challenging conditions, and experienced crews helping new helms to focus on their role without having to worry about supporting a new crew too. New helm, Harriet Walker said the races, "Gave me a chance to practice my starts and mark roundings".
Whilst established helms, Tom and George, with their novice crews, Henry and Brax respectively, took the honours, it was celebrated at Prizegiving that four new helms had successfully sailed and laughed their way through all three races in the testing conditions.
After the racing a vast game of Manhunt around the village, complete with Tally system to ensure no children were lost, brought all the sailors together. "It was great, we had teams with people from different clubs so we could make new friends", said Edith Pynn.
From tomorrow regular crew-helm pairings will resume to compete for the three remaining days of Cadet Week. However, many of the promising new helms from today will no doubt look forward to the crews' race on Sunday, this is sure to be a more hotly contested race than ever!
As part of an RYA pathway club, the Waldringfield Cadet Squadron is committed to providing affordable, excellent sailing and coaching for its junior sailors. Between April and July, Saturday mornings at Waldringfield see up to 80 new or inexperienced sailors take to the water as they begin their sailing journeys. Junior Sailing - Waldringfield Sailing Club
Thanks to our event sponsors: Hawke Marine Optics, Associated British Ports, Royal Hospital School, Lewis Culf Group, Fox's Marina and Boatyard, Jackson Stops Estate Agents, Reubens Butchers, Deben Inns and Roberto's Ices.