Blackwater Sailing Club Cadet Week 2024
by Gay Ayton 19 Aug 04:15 UTC
3-8 August 2024
The Blackwater Sailing Club's Cadet Week which took place from 3-8 August is an annual six-day extravaganza of racing, RYA training and onshore fun and games. This year was no exception with 150 cadets enjoying a packed timetable of onshore activities in the morning followed by the hotly contested racing for trophies on the river and then the evenings' entertainment.
This week gives cadets, aged from 8 to 18 and of all sailing abilities, the opportunity to have fun and enjoy being on the water whilst building confidence, friendships and sailing skills. Under the supervision of the highly experienced and well qualified instructor team, they attain their different RYA levels as well as learning to race.
Typical British weather presented daily challenges to the sailors from glorious sunshine with little or no wind when beating the tide became the focus to the strong gusting force 6 winds and rain by the end of the week. The skilful safety boat teams were kept busy.
Jess Haigh, the cadet commodore said: "We had an amazing week. With six fleets and 11 races there was some fantastic competitive racing on the river including our plucky young cadets in their Opis and Toppers.
Our cadet committee laid on an exciting programme of events for everyone - with team building games on land and the training lake, ice-cream relays on the river, the tractor pull which was won by the adults although they were subsequently disqualified for cheating! Also fancy dress competition and film and curry night - an exhausting time was had by all, it is huge fun though and really one of the best weeks!"
Sheena Berney, vice commodore, said: "Organising our cadet week is a mammoth task and it's all thanks to the army of volunteers, some 130 people who give up their time to make it happen so smoothly. We are hugely grateful. I'd like to particularly thank Rob Carver our Cadet Skipper as he steps down after his final cadet year at the helm - his energy and hard work has been inspirational."
At the prize-giving the worthy winners across all the fleets were:
Optimists
1st Daniel Hall
2nd Isabelle Miller
3rd Evie Truman
Toppers
1st Austin Edwards
2nd Thomas Doggett
3rd Natasha Adkins
RS Feva
1st Flo Evans & Katherine Carver
2nd Hattie Garlick & Hector Johnson
3rd Alice Ruston & Isabelle Foy
Lasers full/radial
1st Hugh Andrews
2nd Dominic Carver
3rd Osea Evans
Lasers 4.7
1st Jess Welch
2nd Stanley Johnson
3rd Mara Thomas
General handicap
1st Jess Haigh & Lucy Shelter
2nd Sam Glover & Charlie Bourne
3rd Hermione Cook & Bella Elderton
Pink Flag Tankard: Best results in a handicap fleet not winning the first prize - Dominic Carver
Evans Endeavour Goblet - Oliver Keeble for his perseverance
Challenge Trophy: Best points for the week - Hugh Andrews
Blue Flag Tankard: Girl's best points for the week - Jess Haigh and Lucy Shelter
Heron Spoon: Most Resolute Cadet - Natasha Adkins
Best crew Medal: Katherine Carver
Cock of the Cadets
1st Hugh Andrews
2nd Jess Haigh
3rd Dominic Carver
For further information about visiting and joining the Club, contact membership secretary or visit www.blackwatersailingclub.org.uk