Broads One Design Weekend at Aldeburgh Yacht Club
by John Aitken 24 Sep 2023 19:56 NZDT
16-17 September 2023
Nine BODs enjoyed the warm welcome, hospitality and wonderful racing as guests of The Aldeburgh Yacht Club last weekend. Seven boats travelled from NBYC in Wroxham, one from The Cam Sailing Club in Cambridge and the one local BOD based in Aldeburgh.
Aldeburgh provides a beautiful but exciting sailing venue and although there is only a seawall and a beach separating the River Alde and the North Sea the river and estuary journey eight miles downstream before joining up with the River Ore and entering the North Sea.
Strong tides and a windy forecast restricted the races from four to three. Nevertheless long courses made up for the restriction.
Broads One Designs sailing on these open waters in bright late summer sun heralded the two races that were held on Saturday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. At the briefing helms were warned of the dangers of running aground if sailing too close to the banks and to observe meticulously the withie rods further upstream where the river opens up into wide broad like but shallow waters.
The fleet set off for the first race in a North Easterly wind reaching down the wide river into a strong flood tide with Sam Chadd, perhaps with the advantage of his local knowledge sailing Harlequin, Nick Heath sailing Dipper, Ben Campbell helming Kittiwake and Chris Aitken in Peregrine setting the pace to Home Reach Half Way buoy before they returned past the Clubhouse and, after rounding the Elbow Buoy, set off through the many moored boats towards the open spaces and Chapman's Creek buoy.
Strong competition followed with Philip Harston sailing Puffin, Will Bentall at the helm in Emperor and Tim Barratt sailing Kite all very close. Peter Sabberton kept Whimbrel firmly on their tails but unfortunately Trevor Cave got just too close to the Oyster beds and by the time he freed himself the fleet had gone!
Further drama unfolded as the course for the second round was shorter than the first and sadly Nick Heath having by now established a convincing lead missed the buoy and his beat back against the tide cost him dearly allowing local helm Sam Chadd to take first bell with Ben Campbell second and Chris Aitken third.
The second race was an extended course from the morning and the start in the opposite direction. Chris Aitken led his brother- in- law Nico Bentall now helming Emperor followed by Nick Heath round the Elbow, a compulsory mark in the course, past the Clubhouse and up through the moored boats into the open river. Spectators at the splendid Clubhouse could see the white sails weaving their way through the Suffolk countryside before rounding the Stanny buoy to head back towards Orford before the long tack back to the finish line. The three leading boats held their positions throughout to complete the challenging course.
However once the race had finished the BODs experienced the difficulties of mooring to a buoy with a fierce tide pulling them one way and a strong wind blowing them the other. Strong arms were required to grab and secure the buoy while an efficient crew had to rapidly lower sails in a following wind! Once secure and sails furled the crews were ferried back ashore by the very helpful team from the Yacht Club where the bar beckoned and a delicious Barbecue soon restored spirits!
Sunday dawned with a mixed forecast of wind and rain although on the water it was not as strong as anticipated. The course began with a mile and a half fetch seawards with once again crews splitting into two groups to avoid the beginning of the flood tide. Despite the drizzle and poor visibility Dipper headed the west bank trio of Peregrine and Emperor, but once round The Home Reach Lower buoy Kite and Kittiwake joined the group and enjoyed a tussle all the way back up The Alde. Fortunately the weather cleared for the race through ever changing scenery to Barbour's Point where the fleet turned to reach and tack the long way home against the tide. This time Nick Heath made no mistakes and won from Chris Aitken and Ben Campbell with Tim Barratt in fourth position.
With all three races to count the winner of the Islemere Trophy, presented for the BOD travelling series each year, was Chris Aitken in Peregrine crewed by Kate and Laura Aitken with Ben Campbell in Kittiwake crewed by Beth and Jamie Campbell second and Nick Heath in Dipper third.
All those taking part agreed it had been an exciting and very enjoyable weekend sailing in totally different waters and they wished to thank the Aldeburgh Yacht Club for their excellent hospitality and, in particular, the club boatmen for launching and pulling out the boats so efficiently.