Cadets and Otters Have a Great Week

Gunfleet Sailing Club has just completed its annual Cadet Week and it was declared an overwhelming success by all those taking part.  Some 40 Cadets and Otters spent a full and varied week both on and off the water.  When the winds were suitable for sailing there was a large fleet of Toppers and Topazes flying around, and on one day there were some record breaking attempts, including how many people you could get on a Topaz and who could climb highest up the mast on the water.  With some very strong winds the Cadets and Otter spent some time on shore and had an organised tour around the Clacton Lifeboat Station, as well as a game of rounders.  Then when the seas calmed down a bit everyone had a go at surfing the waves before going back out on the water and playing boat-swap on the high sea.  At the end of the week there was an evening’s celebration when every Cadet and Otter taking part received a certificate and a T-shirt bearing the slogan “I was blown away at the 2009 Gunfleet Cadet Week”.  Cadet Officer Andy Ford paid tribute to the youngsters as well as the many Club members who helped make the week such a success.  “We have some really good sailors in the making and their natural ability to get the most from their dinghies is fantastic.  Many of the young people have only just taken-up the sport but it is evident that we have some future champions here.  I would particularly like to thanks all those members that helped to ensure the event went smoothly”.  For a more detailed report, with plenty of picture, visit the Cadet Page.

On Sunday five of the Club’s boats took part in the Clacton Sailing Club’s Double Dan – a passage race from Brightlingsea to Holland Haven.  In fresh conditions the craft had a lively sail with the Gunfleet boats taking the top five positions and Paul Stanton winning the Trophy outright in his Laser.