The 10th annual sailing camp was once again a great success with many, many people giving up their free time to promote junior sailing and generally have a good time. There were a lot of new faces at camp this year both in the kitchen, on the shore and generally helping out, which was wonderful. After the unbroken sunshine of last year, this year was a bit of a wash out weather-wise as there was a lot of rain, generally overcast days and light shifty winds. However, on the bright side, sailing took place every morning and afternoon for all five days.

This year there was a Beginners group, an Intermediate Oppi group and an Intermediate Topper group. Significantly the instructors were all graduates of previous sailing camps with Shona looking after the Beginners and Ailsa taking the Oppi group. Annie, Ian and then Anna worked with the Topper group. The Racing group of last year were drafted in to be helpers this year with Duncan, Robert and Calum all adding their own expertise to the training. Calum in particular was brilliant at demonstrating how a Topper should be sailed! The three helpers also achieved their Powerboat Level 2 certificates and completed an RYA first aid course.

Throughout the week the catering was excellent with everybody enjoying the culinary delights of the galley team who always had a hot meal on the table to refuel the rather cold and wet sailors! The after dinner singing in the kitchen was slightly subdued this year as some of the more vocal members of the teams had graduated to be instructors (and were hence exempt from washing up duty). However Anna more than made up for this with her series of rousing group songs before each sailing session. There was a full range of evening activities to keep anybody still awake fully occupied. These included story telling, Aunt Emma's auction, boat making, a beetle drive and the return of the traditional bonfire.

Saturday dawned a fine sunny and windy day - just perfect for the Junior Commodore's Cup. However as the morning progressed the wind strength increased and bought in some exciting gusts. The first race saw almost everybody from camp on the water and then rather quickly in the water as quite a few sailors were caught out and capsized before even crossing the start line! The second and third races saw a smaller group of sailors enjoying some brilliant sailing conditions and battling for the Junior Commodore's Cup. The final results were: 1st - Duncan Nicholls (Laser Radial), 2nd - Jamie Noyes (Topper), 3rd equal - Rachel Heaton and Jo Smith (Toppers).

Once again sailing camp was a great success due to the combined efforts of very many club members, so a big "Thank You" to everybody who came and helped during the week.

Don't forget to see the pictures in the Gallery