Blackwater Sailing Club celebrates successful season

The season culminated with the cadet and club weeks, bringing together the club's members for a celebration of sailing, competition, and camaraderie.

Cadet week was held from August 5 to 10 and featured a packed schedule of sailing, coaching, adventure, and fun for more than 153 cadets.

Rose Harmer and Chris Mills at the celebration of the sea during club week (Image: Tracy Haigh) The club's training lake hosted first-time sailors while experienced cadets showcased their racing skills on the River Blackwater.

Throughout the week, the cadets sailed a variety of vessels, including Optimists, Toppers, RS Feva, 420s, Lasers, club cruisers, Thames Barges, and the Oyster Smack 'Hyacinth'.

As the week progressed, they demonstrated resilience, skill, and enthusiasm in the face of strengthening winds.

Dan Dixon, Mike Iszatt, Steve Jarred and Jess Welch (fourth place) in their positions as 'cock of the river' (Image: Zoe Nelson) The week concluded in a sunny sail to Maldon for ice cream on Sunday.

Osea Evans and Katherine Carver, cadet committee members, said: "What a fantastic and memorable week it was and many thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and organisers under the leadership of our enthusiastic Cadet Skipper, Jonny Garlick.

"With great sailing there was plenty of onshore activity too from roller skating, traditional tractor pull contest, curry night to the Ceilidh and fancy-dress competition with ‘O’ as the theme.

Julie Nelson, Tracy Haigh and Zoe Nelson at the celebration of the sea (Image: Zoe Nelson) "We are also thrilled to have raised over £1,800 from an amazing raffle for our four charities - Cardiac Risk in the Young, Thames Barge Sailing Trust, Heritage Marine Foundation and the Farleigh Hospice.

"Farleigh Hospice was also the charity being supported by the BSC member Richard Marshall’s Swim Across the Channel which took part over the last two days of Cadet Week."

The club week began mid-week due to tide times, with more than 80 boats participating in back-to-back races.

Fun on the lake during cadet week (Image: Anna Lau) The northerly wind posed a challenge throughout the week, fluctuating between strong gusts, which made for some exciting racing, and weak breezes, which resulted in shortened courses and boats struggling to cross the finish line.

Despite this, cadets Victor Iszatt and Amelia Gilbert demonstrated their determination by refusing offers of a tow and finishing their race after two-and-a-half hours.

The week concluded with the winners of each class competing in the single-handed Zest dinghy for the 'Cock of the River' race, which was won by Mike Iszatt.

Optimists in cadet week (Image: Anna Lau) The club week also included social activities, with a quiz night and a commodore’s supper.

Sheena Berney, the club's commodore, said: "Congratulations to all our winners, we’ve had some fantastic racing over these two weeks.

"As a club largely run by its members, it’s huge thanks to everyone - volunteers, race officers, safety boat crews and onshore teams who make it happen.

Cadets setting sail during cadet week (Image: Wren Carver) "With the success still fresh, planning has already started for next year.

"As always new members are warmly welcome."

Blackwater Sailing Club is located at Heybridge Basin in Maldon.

For more information on visiting or joining the club, contact the membership secretary at membership-secretary@blackwatersailingclub.org.uk.

Cadets setting sail to Maldon for ice cream (Image: Belinda Hunt) Boats sailing in cadet week (Image: Anna Lau) Boats sailing in cadet week (Image: Anna Lau) The start of a race during club week (Image: Zoe Nelson) Commodore Sheena Berney during the club week's celebration of the sea (Image: Tracy Haigh)