We have enjoyed a fantastic season with over 80 young sailors joining up this year for both Optibat training and for the Topper Challenge series. Spanning 18 Sundays between March and October, we have seen a fair share of both clement and inclement weather conditions with only one session having to be totally cancelled. The children and young people seemed to have got a lot out of the sessions and we have seen real progression from many as confidence and skills have improved.

This year we divided the groups according to ability with the first session devoted to our youngest and most novice sailors, all who have made great strides in both their knowledge and confidence. The second session was devoted to more intermediate sailors who, under the careful guidance of our group of instructors, have begun to understand and master some of the finer sailing skills, not least how to cope with an off shore wind and get round a triangular course.

For this second session, the introduction of the club’s 3 Topper 4.2 rigs has been a great advantage for those who are taking their first steps from Oppies to Toppers and on several occasions we have had a small group, coached separately, for those wanting to double up and have a go. Well done especially to Alice Edmonds, Oliver and Scarlett Swales, Erica Heath, Sophia Woodiwiss, Lizzie Cooke, Alice Hemming, Daisy Halliwell, Lali and Ben Rhydderch, Poppy Sidorowicz and Marcus Stevens. We hope to see this small bunch improve their Topper skills throughout next season as they make the transition between craft.

The Challenge group have enjoyed improving their racing skills with some close finishes – with one more race session to go, we still don’t know who has won the Junior Challenge Cup but it will be close run. It has also been great to see both of the club’s Fevas being put to good use as our older sailors have had a go at sailing a two-hander.

Thanks especially to all our instructors, especially Cameron Scott who has been reliable and committed throughout the season – but also to Andy Harris, Rob Mitchell, Mark Rolfe, Helen Martin and Josh Preater and Pierre Fox who have put in some sterling work.  Many thanks also to those young helpers who were working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards or just helping out with the younger sailors. These included Ben Alvey, Gabrielle Wightwick, Tom Hughes and Eleanor Hemming. Of course without the help of parents setting up, putting away, launching, and generally being available on shore to dry tears and noses, our Junior Sundays would not have run so smoothly. Our thanks especially go to Aiden Bell, Richard Simms, Julian Widdecombe, Anna Stevens, Jo Scrutton, Iain Smith-Taylor and Margaret and Richard Heath and all those others who have been around to help.

At time of writing we are looking forward to celebrating all our young sailor’s achievements with an end of season Prizegiving lunch before a final session dedicated to some fun. We really hope that everyone got something out of our programme and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again next season. With some good opportunities to sail before the weather begins to change, it would be great if everyone can get down to the lake and take out an Oppie or a Topper and have a practice before the new season starts. Happy sailing!

The Junior Sunday Team