Bart's Bash at Notts County Sailing Club

by David Eberlin 23 Sep 2014 06:48 UTC 21 September 2014

Bart's Bash event at Notts County © David Eberlin

Notts. County, one of the most active Sailing Clubs in the East Midlands, managed to attract over 100 boats on the water, 86 finishing the course. As part of their record attempt which was overseen by independent observers in strict accordance with Guinness World Records Rules. We think the club had the largest windsurf fleet racing in the world with 13 starters.

The weekend started with a Saturday night quiz, where the club youth squad had been baking and raised over £80 from cake sales and quiz entry to the Andrew Simpson Foundation, the following day volunteers persuaded members to part with a further £450 of cash, along with the online money raised the total was well over £1,000.

The day was a day to remember with the water covered in dinghies and windsurfers. I can safely say in nearly thirty years as a member I have not seen so many taking to the water at once, and not only that everyone was entering into the spirit of the occasion. The day started early with course laying and measurement, followed by a briefing and team photo.

With so many boats it was decided to split fleets into 4 starts, a windsurfer, fast and slow handicap and novice start. It was great to see a huge age range from excited 5 year olds in a mirror with Mum to 77 year old windsurfers and dinghy sailors of all ages between. The weather was sunny with a moderate breeze at times, providing plenty of work for the safety boats. The race officer coped admirably with a very difficult race and though it took some time we are confident virtually everyone was timed and accounted for correctly.

After about an hour on the water everyone was finished and retired to the clubhouse for food and afterwards the odd pint.

Bart's Bash event at Notts County - photo © David Eberlin

Nicki Theokritoff, the club's Commodore, said, "We were delighted to be part of this world wide record attempt to have the Biggest Sail Race ever, ever. It was a great sailing & social day for everyone with a fantastic atmosphere and lots of money raised for the Andrew Simpson Foundation. My thanks to everybody who came down & took part; also to our Sailing Secretary and the other organisers at the club who made this event possible here."