Fine week on the water at Keyhaven Yacht Club regatta
LOCAL sailors took to the water at this year’s Keyhaven Yacht Club regatta, which finished with a flourish after a fine week of sailing and entertainment.
For the first time in the regatta’s long history, the organisers started a day early on Saturday with a Youth Regatta.
All the young sailors, aged five to 18 years, undertook various activities for their age group.
The weather was very kind, if slightly breezy, and prize-giving took place on the club’s lawn in bright sunshine.
The following four days saw excellent racing out on the Solent, with the wind behaving almost perfectly, if a little strongly, during Wednesday’s final race.
Thursday morning’s wind was too strong for racing, so attention switched to the regatta’s well-known Pirates Day.
Even though the wind howled and the rain fell, a pirate ship sailed into the harbour, with nearly 50 piratical children and quite a few adults dressed up, soaked each other, played silly games, walked the plank and generally had a great time.
Friday’s weather more than made up for the cancelled Thursday. With hectic river starts for the fast and slow fleets, 24 boats headed out into the Solent on our David Jupp long-distance race.
During the race, which saw the fast fleet visiting the Lymington River, the wind built significantly, resulting in champagne sailing conditions and a few aching limbs.
Following prize giving, the Keyhaven clubhouse rocked to the sounds of local band Six and Sax.
Judging from the response from Keyhaven and visiting Twickenham Yacht Club members, all had a great time.
The organisers thanked sponsors Hurst Marine, West Solent Boat Builders, Buchanan’s Jewellers of Lymington, Harken, and Seahorse Magazine.
A special mention also went to the dedicated volunteer members, without whom the event could not occur.
Keyhaven Yacht Club offers many different approaches to water sports for all ages and ability levels.
For more information or to join Keyhaven Yacht Club, visit keyhavenyc.co.uk
