Good Turnout for the Peter Waghorn Regatta

Report by John Aston

On Coronation Bank Holiday Monday, Grafham Water SC ran a special regatta to commemorate Peter Waghorn and his huge contribution to the Club.

Peter Waghorn passed away on Sunday 15^th January 2023 after a brief illness, just short of his 90^th birthday. He retired in his mid-50s and devoted his energies towards sport development, both sailing and cycling. He was a member of Grafham Water SC for about 40 years and held senior volunteer posts for 24 years as Chair of Sailing Committee from 1980 to 1985, Commodore 1986 to 1989 and Open Meeting organiser 1989 to 2004. Peter made a major contribution to both sailing and cycling in the area and this resulted in him being awarded a well-deserved MBE in 2013.

The format of the regatta was three short back-to back races in the morning followed by a longer Pursuit Race in the afternoon. Over 45 boats entered including visitors from 4 members of the former Beds & Cambs Association Clubs of which Peter was a strong supporter.

The forecast for the day was a little foreboding with heavy rain forecast from midday onwards. However, the wind was a good one: 13 knots with gusts up to 20 knots, from the South, and the rain held off until after sailing for the day was finished.

The morning series was sailed with three handicap starts for Fast, Double-hander and Slow single-hander classes. In the fast fleet, Jon Sweet and Reece Webb in their Formula 18 cat revelled in the conditions, regularly lapping in under 7 minutes. In the slow double fleet Simon Kneller and Ashley Painter in their Flying Fifteen came out on top, with some close racing at times with Duncan Grindley and Jon Mortimer, also in a Flying Fifteen.

The slow single-handed fleet was the largest, with 25 boats. The starts were keenly contested, with boats OCS in both Races 2 and 3. Winner on the water in races 1 and 2 was Gordon Stewart in his D Zero, with David Maclay in a Laser taking line honours in Race 3. However, on handicap Tim Evans in a Laser Radial was the winner of both the first two races with Adele Burbidge in a Laser 4.7 winning Race 3.

When the results of all three fleets were combined, Jon Sweet and Reece Webb emerged as clear winners with three first places, followed by Tim Evans in second and Ian Walters, sailing a Solo, in third.

Rather fewer competitors came out for the afternoon pursuit race, many perhaps feeling that the three morning races in a good breeze was enough for a holiday! The race was led off by the Topper of Lucas Rooke, who faced the prospect of sailing for over 100 minutes up to the scheduled finish at 1615. We used one of Peter’s Pursuit Race courses, that he devised many years ago but which are still in regular use for the Wednesday evening and Christmas Pursuit Races. Fittingly, first mark of the Course was “W”, which the Club has agreed will henceforward be named “Waghorn”. Over the next 50 minutes boats of various other classes set off “in Pursuit” of Lucas, with Jon Sweet and Reece Webb starting at the end, some 52 minutes later. The course took competitors to all parts of the Western end of Grafham Water. Jon and Reece sailed at great speed but had a lot of distance to catch up and the final outcome looked uncertain. Ian Walters, in his Solo, led for some time, with Adele Burbidge close behind in her Laser 4.7. However in the final two minutes Jon and Reece emerged ahead, with Will Russell in his RS600 taking second place.

Combining the morning and afternoon results, Jon and Reece were clear winners, so took the “Peter Waghorn” Cup, as well as the “Past Masters” Trophy for the morning, and the “RNLI Trophy” for the afternoon. Second overall was Ian Walters; third was Adele Burbidge, with Peter Curtis (RS300) and Mark Rushton (Contender) taking the other prizes.

In the middle of the day, about 30 cyclists from Welwyn Wheelers, Peter’s Cycling Club which he actively supported over many years, joined us at the Club. They had organised their own tribute ride to Peter to coincide with our Regatta. The event raised contributions of £475 from those sailing which will go to the two chosen charities: RNLI and Magpas.

The full results of the regatta can be viewed here and more photographs of the event can be viewed at the Grafham Water SC Photo Gallery

We are looking for a person to run the club bar on Wednesday evenings and some Saturday afternoon/evenings – timings as follows:

6:30/7pm to 9:30/10pm every Wednesday from 10th April until 4th September.

Some Saturdays from 4pm until close.

We are also looking for someone to work in the office on Saturdays and/or Sundays as part of the rota. Hours/dates to be agreed.

To apply, or if you would like further information, please contact Heather, the Club Manager on 01480 810478.

To commemorate Peter and his huge contribution to the Club, we will be running a one day regatta on Monday 8 May (the Coronation bank holiday).  Please put the date in your diaries: more details, including how to enter, can be found here.

Peter sadly passed away on Sunday 15^th January 2023 after a brief illness, just short of his 90^th birthday.

Peter retired in his mid-50s and devoted his energies towards sport development, both sailing and cycling. He was a member of Grafham Water SC for about 40 years and held senior volunteer posts for 24 years as Chair of Sailing Committee from 1980 to 1985, Commodore 1986 to 1989 and Open Meeting organiser 1989 to 2004. Peter held some strong views on how things should be done, however you always knew when he didn’t agree with something as well! His work to develop sailing at Grafham was immense. He was keen to develop youth sailing and was particularly generous with his time to encourage members if they needed help or lacked confidence. For his contribution to the Club he was made an Honorary Life member.

His early sailing was in Enterprises, where he was a prominent member of a very active fleet and even sailed on the tidal River Great Ouse during North West Norfolk Week. In his later years, he acquired a Flying Fifteen which he raced enthusiastically, crewed by many members who are still active today. He had a very narrow escape sailing his FF15 10 years ago when he suffered a brain aneurism whilst racing with Pippa Chapman. Due to the prompt action by the FF15 fleet and that of the rescue services at Grafham he was moved swiftly to shore, whisked to hospital, operated upon and lived to sail another day.

With declining health he ceased competitive sailing and sold his final Flying 15 in his early 80s to focus his activities closer to home where he was Chairman of the Welwyn Wheelers for 50 years (obituary).

He left many lasting legacies at the club, some of his pursuit race courses are still in use and he was the instigator of the Grafham Grand Prix, now in its 41^st year and still one of the premier UK winter handicap events.

Not many people manage to make such a big contribution to two different sports and this resulted in him being awarded a well-deserved MBE in 2013.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

The Wednesday Evening Series, sponsored by Gill Marine, finished on 31st August and was rounded off by a Pursuit Race followed by the Prizegiving dinner on 7th September. The prizes for the series, generously donated by club sponsors Gill Marine, were presented by Rear Commodore Mark Rushton.

The pursuit race was won by David and Sam Bevan sailing a Wayfarer, with Alisdair James second and Ewan Birkin-Walls third, both sailing Solos.

The overall Wednesday Evening series was won by Jon Sweet and Matt Harrington sailing a Formula 18, with Neil Washington second in a D-Zero and Dave Maclay third in a Laser. A total of 132 boats took part over the course of the summer with a total of 21 races sailed.

All the results can be seen here.

The Fast Handicap fleet was won by Peter and James Curtis in an RS500. Jon Sweet and Matt Harrington came second and John Reynolds and David Marchant, sailing a 4000, were third.

The Slow Double-Hander Handicap fleet was won by Dave Philpott and John Forsdike in a Flying Fifteen. Second were Bob Gatton and Richard Houghton also in a Flying Fifteen, with Nigel and Fiona Denchfied third sailing a Lark.

Neil Washington, sailing a D-Zero won the Slow Single-Hander Handicap fleet with Dave Maclay second and Ewan Birkin-Walls third.

Sue and Andy Rhodes (Flying Fifteen fleet captains) are on a 7 week venture sailing around Britain on a Sigma 38 raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, the background to which is at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing2.

Final Report

A different type of week again for leg 6. We started early from Milford Haven with a full crew of four again, no wind and poor visibility. Then just as we were leaving the estuary, a range control boat caught us up and told us that there would be live testing on the nearby artillery range. We made a short detour to stay clear and then we were able to resume our passage across the Bristol Channel to Padstow. We were accompanied at various points by the sound of artillery shells and multiple dolphins who were enjoying the sun and smooth seas. They seemed to want to show off as they flew above the waves, swam alongside and crossed under the bow. We did get some sailing when the wind picked up and got into Padstow avoiding the Doom Bar but sadly after closing time for the pub that sold Doom Bar.

The next passage was to be round to Newlyn, but with a forecast of SW force 6-7 wind and rough sea state around Lands End, we spent two days in Padstow waiting for more favourable conditions. By Thursday, the wind had eased to SW force 4-5 and the sea state softened to moderate to rough. With a deadline to meet for crew change in Plymouth, we set out for Falmouth. Matching tide requirements for exiting Padstow and getting favourable currents round Lands End meant this would be a noon departure and overnight passage round Lands End. So, with rain falling and some very confused seas we set off on a fourteen hour beat along the the North Cornwall coast before rounding Lands End in the dark, Lizard Point at 8am and into Falmouth for 10am.

Saturday we had sun and wind, SW force 4-5, which gave us a great broad reach up to Plymouth, making too much speed, so the fantastic end to another great week finished too soon. We would have liked to sail longer.

Rather than photos this week, we have a video of dolphins for you to enjoy!

After last week’s weather being low dominated, our 7th and final week was high dominated, with light winds, blue skies and lots of sunshine. The week started even better as it was decided that we would have an extra 8th passage on the final Sunday so that we could have a timed return at 3pm to support sponsorship and fund raising!

We set out from Plymouth for a gentle sail to the picturesque Dartmouth with SW 3 and smooth seas – quite a change from last week. Tuesday forecast was for the wind to drop during the day, and with favourable tide round Portland Bill in the afternoon, we left early from Dartmouth heading to Portland and had a glorious sail until the wind dropped and we had to motor round “the Bill”.

Wednesday we had the first of our 5am slips to get favourable tide for both Anvil Point and the Needles which we managed with another glorious sail, and although the wind dropped as we passed Hurst Point it recovered as we passed Cowes allowing another great beat down to Gosport.

Thursday was the second of our 5am starts to get favourable tide at both Selsey Bill and Beachy Head and into Eastbourne. Unfortunately, no wind so a long motor. At least we could catch up on some sleep as we took turns at the helm.

Friday, a more leisurely start with a lock out of Eastbourne at 0800 heading to Ramsgate, motoring first but happily sailing after Dungeness and all the way up to Ramsgate.

Saturday was our 3rd 5am start to get across the Thames estuary before the forecast 5-7 on the nose and into Bradwell. We made such good progress, we actually had to slow down to get enough height of tide to enter Bradwell, so we dropped the main and part furled the headsail for the run across Spitway. In Bradwell all the teams had supper together in the clubhouse.

Sunday, 0700 we exited Bradwell before low tide. We put in 1 reef with a forecast N 3-5. A smashing speedy sail back down to Burnham, achieving 10 kts over the ground. We were safely onto a mooring a mile down river from Burnham for brunch, final packing and time for a nap before the final mile with the three boats together into Burnham.

Our overall thoughts? We’d happily have carried on and gone round again!

We’d like to thank you all for your support to us and to Macmillan,

Week 5 Report:

Back to just us as crew and long passages with lots of sailing last week for the longest leg to date.

From Rhu, we had a first stop at Troon to allow new crews on the other boats to get settled before crossing the Irish Sea to Bangor and a taste of Irish Guinness in Bangors oldest pub. Then a long reach / run down to Dun Laoghaire with a glorious sunset over Dublin Bay to greet our arrival but too late for a visit to the Guinness Centre. Thursday brought wind on the nose, so a long beat down to Arklow and the opportunity to compare the Guinness before a long reach back across the Irish Sea to Neyland, Milford Haven for a rest and the next crew change.

It’s hard to pick favourite legs because they are so different, but this one was right up there with fair weather, fair seas and sunshine allowing a lot of fast comfortable sailing and wonderful scenery from the West Coast of Scotland, the East Coast of Ireland and the Pembrokeshire Coast.

Weeks 3 and 4 Report:

After 600 miles in the first two weeks, week 3 was very different – 60 miles through the Caledonian Canal with 29 locks to negotiate and sailing the length of Loch Ness and Loch Lochy with 15-20 knot wind on the nose. Beautiful scenery and while we didn’t see Nessie, we’re sure she did go under the boat when we recorded 18m depth instead of the expected >180m. Crew mate for the week (Liz) brought a number of sponsorship challenges including dancing the hornpipe and paddling in Loch Ness, which Sue helped her with.

Week 4 brought us out of the Caledonian Canal and into Loch Linhe for a lovely sail down to Oban and then onto to Crinan passing by many islands, including Kerrera and Jura, while keeping well clear of Corryvreckan. After passing through the Crinan Canal (15 locks, mainly self service), sailing resumed to Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute via the Kyles of Bute and then onto Rhu. Too many islands to mention, but definitely a target for a return with more time to explore.

Weeks 1 and 2 Report:

The trip started on 1st May and is due to finish 19th June, with the 7 legs going from Burnham on Crouch to Newcastle, Inverness, Fort William, Rhu, Milford Haven, Plymouth and back to Burnham.  Crew changes happen at the end of each leg, but we’re going all the way.

Week 1: Just us and a skipper on board, so lots to do! No wind on Monday from Burnham to Shotley, but good sailing Shotley to Lowestoft on Tuesday, and most of the way on the 30 hour passage up to Whitby Wednesday/Thursday and a walk around the town and abbey. Finally, a gentle sail up to Royal Quay marina at North Shields – an opportunity for laundry, an explore of the town and taking on provisions and new crew.  

Week 2: The forecast for the week was showing strong winds, so it was a bit of a race to get ahead of the worst of the weather.  An early start Monday and 26 hour sail to Arbroath, with a short anchorage at Holy Island, Lindisfarne, for supper and rest before the night passage, saw us arrive early enough to get freshly smoked salmon hot off the barrel for breakfast. Wednesday was a hoot – broad to beam reach, double reefed main, 70nm to Peterhead in 10 hours. Thursday was harder work tacking into strong winds to get to Whitehills, where we stayed through Friday as the forecast 30-40 knot winds came through. This left a long passage to get into Inverness and a lovely evening sail into the River Ness and the Inverness Marina.  More laundry, provisions and a crew change before we set off on the leg through the Caledonian canal.  

If you want to follow us, our boat name is Monet (MMSI 235027298), and we’re accompanied by Galliver II and Florence Agnes II, and tracking information is normally available at https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/MONET-IMO-0-MMSI-235027298 or on MarineTraffic https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:6312440/mmsi:235027298/imo:0/vessel:MONET

It was a bright, breezy start to the Powerboat Refresher Day and twenty two PB2 qualified members turned up to the briefing hoping for a reminder about how the club RIBs work, and a little oil for rusty confidence, but were treated to an afternoon of so much more. We split into two groups; one started on mark laying, the other on powerboat rescue and we swapped at half time.

The mark-laying group got hands-on in pairs on land with the new GPS gadgets; setting a waypoint and finding a mark that was a set distance away on a particular angle. Then we took our new skills onto the water; taking turns driving, manning the radio, using the GPS and streaming the mark. it was fun helping each other remember what to do, and at the same time gaining an understanding of what the race officer is measuring. After a short break we swapped over and went out in another RIB to play with some capsized dinghies; a Dart 16 and a Laser 2000.

As a single-handed Laser sailor I’m not at all familiar with either of these boats, so it was really useful to learn the tips and tricks to righting them from their completely turtled starting position! I was glad we didn’t need to actually go swimming to do this! The wind had become quite exciting by this point and a few squalls came through, so it was the ideal scenario to train in.

Suddenly there was a call over the radio that there had been an incident and a casualty needed rescuing. The poor course leader, Andrew, had suffered a leg injury and needed to be brought ashore on a spinal board. Everyone had a task to do, and the team calmly brought the casualty safely ashore.

The day went brilliantly and everyone involved came away more confident and better prepared for their duties on the water. A big thank you to all involved, especially to Andrew who turned out to be absolutely fine except for the hole he discovered in his drysuit!

Grafham Water Sailing Club has announced an innovative new partnership with marine technical apparel brand Gill.

The new partnership will see Gill acting as club sponsor enabling new investments in events, equipment and infrastructure. The collaboration includes event sponsorship, research and development of new products and joint marketing initiatives to raise awareness of water sports in the community. Club members will benefit from exclusive products and early bird product launches, as well as a member discount across Gill’s range of clothing and accessories.

“I am delighted to welcome Gill as a new partner for Grafham Water Sailing Club” said Mike Edwards, Commodore. “We are pleased to be recognised by such an innovative and well-known water sports brand and the new partnership will enable us to further boost our reputation as offering the best inland sailing in the UK”.

Created in 1975, Gill is now an established and trusted technical apparel brand, with their latest range being put through its paces by the Great Britain Sail GP team, led by Sir Ben Ainslie. The 2022 Gill product range spans everything needed for any type of water sports from wetsuits and offshore clothing through to watches, sunglasses, gloves and changing robes.

“Gill is very excited and proud to enter into this relationship with Grafham Water Sailing Club” said Sally Streeting, Marketing Director at Gill. “This partnership capitalises on our sailing heritage and product expertise and more importantly, it will allow us to further hone our product development and knowledge. The ability for us to have regular and direct access to the large number of sailors, windsurfers and paddleboarders who visit Grafham Water Sailing Club every year, is priceless as we grow and develop our product ranges further”.

To see the special offer discount code on Gill products available to club members click here.

To see the full range of Gill products please click here.

To see the list of events at Grafham Water SC being sponsored by Gill please click here.