2013 Cadet Week - Fantastic!
Monday, August 26, 2013 - 21:38
MONDAY: So here we all are, down at the Club, collecting our wristbands, getting changed, rigging the boats, finding out who is with who, and what Teams we are in. Then it is in the Clubhouse for a briefing from our Cadet Officer Chris before getting on the water ready for the first race. Now I don’t know about you but I’m convinced somebody turned the fan on, ‘cause it’s honking a bit (at least a five). All of a sudden the Toppers are off and rivals Ben, Robert and Tommy are definitely “in it to win it” whilst some of the other helms are, hey, a little bit more laid-back. Next the Topazes are away and Beth F. and Daisy chomp into the lead, with Brogan and Max hot in pursuit and Beth E. and Caitlin not far behind. Maddie and Amie-Lou seem to have lost their rudder but the Rescue Boat is soon on the scene. Then those Hobie 405’s are unleashed, cor do they shift or what. It all looks pretty cool until Conor and Finlay hoist their asymmetric spinnaker and over they go. Now you would have thought that was a warning but Zak and Jake then hoist their kite straight after and they instantly get dumped – tee-hee! Anyway, the results look something like this:
Topper:
1. Ben Richardson
2. Robert Gutteridge
3. Tommy Martin
Topaz:
1. Beth Ford and Daisy Swinbourne
2. Brogan and Max Bates
3. Darcie Baker and Alice Fuller
Hobie 405:
1. Conor and Finlay Williams
2. Charlie and Harry Spence
3. Emma Hygate and Sebastian Sanchez
We all got over this as we went up to the Clubhouse for a great lunch – Sausage, mash and peas, plus loads of fruit...What!, out on the water again. Now in our Teams we have the Triathlon. Some of us sail the course, with a batten, some of us swim, with that same old batten, and some of us real energetic sort run, still with that flaming batten (no mate it isn’t really on fire). No time to stop as soon as it’s over it’s the All-aboard Race; each team has a Topaz and starts off with two crew on board, sails a course and comes back to pick-up a third team member, sails the course, comes back for a fourth team member...and that all sounds cool ‘til we get to the seventh team member and things start going wrong. Well it isn’t my fault, and it isn’t yours, and it isn’t his or hers....we only just did it. Oh yes, just what we need – a cake-break, and it’s back in the water for Numbers-Up – grab as many bottles as you can, preferably with the largest numbers inside....and which Team gets 3,500 (true) your having a larf! Time to pack the boats away, get changed, hand in our wrist bands and just chill-out before tomorrow – Tuesday...it’s looking good.
TUESDAY: Wow guys, it’s looking like it’s going to be a hot one today – both on and off the water. We all get down there on time to make sure we get wrist-banded and briefed and, most importantly, on the water. The courses are set and all three classes have got two laps today. The wind is offshore and crikey those Toppers are off already, with Ben in the lead, followed by “Rock-on” Tommy, with Robert and Will both just behind. You’re joking, the Topazes are away and going like good’uns, Brogan and Max sandwiched between Beth and Daisy, and Beth and Caitlin – go it girls! Those 405 dudes are champing at the bit and as they head to the line the asymmetric kites are already going up, but what’s this....Emma and Sebastian have not bothered with their kite and they roar into the lead – cool bananas! But what’s going on; the wind is shifting, dropping, and shifting again, now that’s not on. The 405 Spence boys, currently at the back, are now in front and round the AWS buoy first; and who is this pulling up from third into a massive lead – why, it’s Tommy in his Topper, but what’s he doing, he’s only following the 405’s and they’ve got a different course – oh Tommy! Hello, he’s sussed out his mistake but he’s now dropped back into third place; I can’t watch; this is painful. Who’s honking? Oh I see the course has been shortened so we can all get ashore in time for lunch. Looking at the results it looks like Team SFA (Conor’s Team) is really bringing in the bacon on the racing front.
Topper:
- Ben Richardson
- Robert Gutteridge
- Tommy Martin
Topaz:
- Beth Ford and daisy Swinbourne
- Beth Elliott and Caitlin Ansell
- Darcie Baker and Alice Fuller
Hobie 405:
- Conor and Finlay Williams
- Zak and Jake Kurtulus
- Charlie and Harry Spence
Time to chill-out and there’s a bit of an Italian feel about the lunch with pasta, tomato sauce, cheesy bake, garlic bread and fruit, and in this heat it’s like being in the Med – mmmmm, great food.
I think I could do with a siesta now but there’s no time as it’s the Watery Wordsearch. Each Team has got to sail out and find the bottles with the appropriate letters to make up their nine letter word, now is out Team’s word Starboard, Gunwhales, Spinnaker or Gooseneck; hello, we’re off, get your foot out my ear; quick grab that bottle, don’t fall...SPLASH. Quick, quick, back to the beach. I don’t believe it; Team BOB (Tommy’s Team) has won. What! We’re off again, this time to pick up as many balls as we can – quick chaps, got to sail out there first before those other “funky monkeys” beat us to it. Hang-on, we’re doing brill, we’ve got so many balls in here I can’t see my feet...don’t let those other boats near us...ha ha, you haven’t got as many as us; hang on, you’re on our Team, go and get more balls you lot. Now we’re back on shore I can see our bucket overflowing, so have we won? Crikey it’s only Team SUPER (Charlie’s Team) that has won with 88 balls, and second is Team GBR (Rob’s Team) with 86 – I demand a recount! Oh no, forget that, it’s a “Cake Break” – OMG it’s that sickly, gooey, absolutely lovely millionaires’ shortbread – can I have another piece please? Better make it two.
I’m back, firing on all cylinders and we’re into the final game – the Water Balloon one – it sounds more like a Chinese Torture! Right, I get it, we sail out to the Rescue Boat, collect a token-ball and sail back to the shore, then throw the ball to our Team-mates who exchange it for large balloons of water and we’ve got to carry these along the promenade to Eastcliff Cafe – it is a Chinese Torture! Oh, hang-on, then the boats sail up to the Cafe and transport the water balloons back to the Club – it’s a piece of cake,,,talking of which, is there anymore Millionaires’ Shortbread left? Is that Maddie trying to carry two balloons – she will never do it; she has – good girl. Why are the beach hut owners looking at us as though we are mad? This is quite normal, for Gunfleet. I can’t believe how well our teams done; oh, all the Teams have been blistering good..doooh.
Well it’s time to pack the boats up and hand in our wrist bands, shame. What’s that? Am I looking forward to tomorrow? You bet I am.
WEDNESDAY: Wicked Wednesday – the weather’s brill – sunshine and blue skies, and a bit of that old wind stuff...quick, let’s get the boats rigged as there is so much going on today we’ve got to move a bit sharp-like. Boss man Chris is reminding us, at our daily briefing, that tomorrow is Sponsored Sail day, but look at the time, we must get on the water for our race. The Toppers are already away and it seems like someone’s glued the hulls together, and today Will and Nick are starting to put the pressure on the three amigos – Ben, Robert and “Rock On” Tommy; it’s not going to be such plain sailing for you today boys! Now it’s the turn of the seven Topazes and Ross and Hugo are already challenging Beth and Caitlin....mmmmm this is going to be interesting, is it going to be a real showdown-hoedown? Those 405 chaps worry me, buzzing up and down the line like pent-up Sherbet Dabs – just fizzing to be unleashed...there they go and the crews are straight out on the wire; what cool dudes. The Topazes are continuing to do battle as they go round the course and Finn and Emily are just nudging ahead of Maddie and Amie-Lou, but it’s oh so close. The 405’s are flying their asymmetric spinnakers and make it look so squeezy-easy. What’s that?, the shorten course flag is up, but we were just enjoying ourselves; oh yes, it’s an early lunch ‘cause we’ve got a mini-cruise this afternoon, with some games when we arrive. But let’s concentrate on the food first. Now, where did we come, let’s have a look:
Topper:
1. Ben Richardson
2. Tommy Martin
3. Robert Gutteridge
Topaz:
1. Emma Hygate and Daisy Swinbourne
2. Brogan and Max Bates
3. Beth Elliott and Caitlin Ansell
Hobie 405:
1. Conor and Finlay Williams
2. Zak and Jake Kurtulus
3. Charlie and Harry Spence
Oh well, better luck tomorrow, now let’s tuck in – jacket potatoes with cheese and beans, plus a doughnut and I have a choice of filling; jam, apple or lemon, yup those three should slip down nicely; well done Galley Team, that was a really tasty meal; now back on the water but first we will leave some of the Toppers behind and all share boats. Cor, its blown-up a bit and it’s on the nose, lucky I had all those doughnuts. On the other hand, with all that hiking-out maybe I am a bit stuffed. Are we at Holland Haven already? Oh yes, there’s the Beach Masters and Games Organisers waiting for us. So, the first game is a Treasure Hunt, trying to find 125 bottle tops hidden in the sand; no problem, any fool can do that and anyway we are working in Teams. What’s Rob doing ploughing the sand up from one end to the other with his foot? Yeah, very clever Rob, how many have you found then? Oh, a big fat zero...mmmm. And now Ben is on his knees filtering every grain of sand through his fingers, are we all on Planet Ga Ga or something? I shall just whip-out my magnet, tee-hee. Why didn’t you tell me these tops are non-magnetic....and the winning team has only found 17. Who said it was a piece of cake? Talking of cake what’s in those tins? Yup it’s a cake break, just in time, I was feeling a bit peckish! Now, what’s to follow – why, it’s a tug of war and we’ll show those other teams, I’ve got thighs like tug boats. Heave, heave, yes I think I will be heaving, I knew I shouldn’t have had all those cakes. Crikey, it’s a knock-out contest and Team SFA (Conor’s Team) has been knocked-out already. Who’s next to go; well it’s Team GBR (Rob’s Team), so that leaves two. Oh, bad luck Team Super (Charlie’s Team) you were beaten into second place by Team Bob (Tommy’s Team). It must soon be time to set sail back, ooops I’m wrong, we’ve got the egg throwing. The distance between the ropes is getting rather large, oh cripes, there goes another one, and another, and another. Just look at that catch, Daniel leapt in the air in almost slow motion and caught that stray egg without it breaking – wow, that’s clever, do it again! Hurrah the winners are Emma and Darcie, well done girls. Do we want a second go? You bet. Hang on, what’s happening? Max, no you don’t get points for breaking the egg on Maddie’s head (and then rubbing sand in it!), write out 100 times “The yolk is now on you”. The egg throwing is now reaching its climax and the winners this time are, oh it’s joint winners – Will and Finn and Nick and Ben. Just time to jump in the sea and wash ourselves before we sail back. Hey, the wind is now onshore and we can all reach all the way to the Club. Another fantastic day; yes please, if you could just remove my wrist band.....let’s go and crash-out on the sofa and REALLY look forward to Thursday. I am sooooo up for it.
THURSDAY: Blue sky, bright sunshine, light south-westerly winds; we’re in for a real good ’un today, and to add to the heat it’s the final race in the Cadet Week Class Series and I so really want to win it. Have I got my wristband? Yup; Have I listened to what Chris told us at the briefing? But of course. Let’s just check what buoys we have got to chuck ourselves round; what! 2 laps! There go those Toppers and Ben is in-front yet again, doesn’t it get boring always being the lead boat? But hang-on, Roberts giving him some grief, and Harry, Max and Will are all pushing their Toppers hard, as is young Lydia; good to see you out in your Topper Lydia. Cor, I nearly missed seeing the Topazes go and Emma and Daisy are under pressure from Brogan and Alice, and Beth and Emily. Look at those 405’s strutting up and down the line like peacocks, they had better watch out or they will be over the line, phew there they go and it’s a battle between the Williams brothers and the Spence brothers.
Now, what are these other four Toppers doing? Oh yes it’s the Otter Training Squad – Korben, Ted, Mac, and Harrison – they’re doing brilliantly at the helm; they’ve really come a long way since Monday. I’m getting a bit worried, more competition for me pretty soon.
Back to the racing and shock, horror; Robert’s overtaken Ben in the Topper class and opened up a good lead, Harry has moved into third place and Max is now fourth; ah, but there is another lap to go so don’t ease off chaps. Ross is currently not far behind Emma and Daisy in the Topazes but clearly getting some grief from Zak. Charlie and Harry had the lead for a while in the 405’s but I see Conor and Finlay have given it a bit of grunt and got it back. I think tension is really mounting in the second lap for everyone, but that’s helping them to build-up a mean appetite. Now before I tuck into my chicken-burger and chips, and that Magnum ice cream, I suppose I had better let you know what the results of today’s race are:
Topper:
1. Robert Gutteridge
2. Ben Richardson
3. Harry Swinbourne
Topaz:
1. Emma Hygate and Daisy Swinbourne
2. Zak Thomas
3. = Beth Elliott and Emily Marsh
3. = Ross Aylen
Hobie 405:
1. Conor and Finlay Williams
2. Zak and Jake Kurtulus
3. Charlie and Harry Spence
No, no more chips for me thanks, but what a brill meal! Now it’s the big one – the sponsored sail. What a great idea that was, to help raise funds for our IT kit. Wait ‘til I hand in my sponsorship form, oh alright, I’d better do the sailing bit first. Oh good, a nice simple course; right we’re away. Actually, as well as raising some money this is a lot of fun. Hello Jake, hi Amie-Lou, watcha Michael, how’s it going Seb? Cor, it’s busier than dinner time at school! Now, how many laps have I done? I hope someone’s keeping count. Who’s that giving me a wave? Yeh, I’ll keep it in a bucket mate – arf, arf! I think I’m going stir-crazy....phew, that’s the horn; quick, let’s get in for a cake break. What? You expect me to choose between all those? I have never seen so many cakes!! No, honest, I couldn’t eat another thing. And now it’s time for water jousting and I can see the two Topaz hulls moored out off the water’s edge. I am not sure what this is all about but yes, I’m happy to swim out to one of the Topazes with that other chap; that didn’t take long, now what? Ouch, what did you just hit me round the ear-hole with that foam lance for? And again...and again...and...I’m going to get pretty mad soon! I get it...take that...and that...and a bit more; this boat aint big enough for the both of us...now will you take that foam lance out my nostril before I do something I might regret...SPLASH...there I told you!! Cripes, they’re taking no prisoners on that other Topaz...quick, duck, what do you mean it’s a seagull...SPLASH, mmm....that’ll teach you to try and be funny. Hang on, it’s time to pack all the boats up, shower and get changed; mustn’t forget to hand my wristband in. Oh, alright, maybe I can squeeze one final piece of cake in...mum, what’s for tea? What a fab day it’s been, I can’t believe tomorrow is the last day; I don’t ever want it to end...
FRIDAY: Frantic Friday, I’m so tired after four blisteringly brilliant days, just let me sleep mum. You know that old saying “One good turn gets all the blankets”...hang on, it’s the last day of our Cadet Week and the Olympic Games at Frinton, and it’s cruising all the way. Mum, why didn’t you get me up earlier? Where’s my wet gear? I haven’t got time for this breakfast stuff, let’s get down the Club quick.
Hello everyone; quick, grab my wristband; Yes, I sure am booked in for the Cadet Week Party tomorrow night, I hear it’s going to be a bit of a gas, and there’s a hog-roast; now that’s my kinda food. OK, so each Team is taking just three boats to Frinton, well that will be a 405 and two Topazes then, and we can all jump aboard for a blast up the coast. If I can get on the 405 we can hoist the kite and leave ‘em all standing. Hang on though, we’re playing a game as we sail there. Now tell me, have I got this straight? There’s a Rescue Boat ahead of us, and another behind us, and all we have to do is get a ball from the rear Rescue Boat, and sail it up to the front Rescue Boat and then drop it in our Team bucket. That’s as crazy as an electric carrot but we’ll give it a go. But before we are off its Chris’s briefing....what was that? Oh yes, we must return our Sponsored Sail form by Saturday 7 September at the latest, I’ll get mine in tomorrow at the Party; even the dog has sponsored me – well he left a small deposit!
Right then, let’s go. Hey, it blowin’ nicely and we’re creaming along; quick, go about and let’s get that ball. Tee-hee this is a bit of a larf, let’s play tennis with it while we sail to the next Rescue Boat; hang on, what’s that person doing swimming alongside their boat....are they crazy in the coconut? Cor, are we at Frinton already? Yup, and there’s the Gunfleet Beach Masters, and the Games Arrangers, now I know we are here.
We are kicking off with British Bulldog – best to start with a lot of noise, cripes it’s turning into a rugby scrum, let’s dive in. Oh lummy, Lydia’s been knocked down, call for the Doctor and get his advice; and the first-aid answer is....throw her in the sea – arf, arf! And the result? Well there were sufficient survivors to allow us to have lunch.
Oh great, it’s a picnic; you mean I get all this – wow am I glad I didn’t have any breakfast. I’ll swap your chocolate bar for my sandwich, when I’ve taken a few bites.
To help us digest our food we have now got a Three Legged Relay Race; hang-on, how come I am tied to someone four times my height? Where’s my Team Captain? Oh, I see, they just drag – oh, and kick – me along the sand, yeah that sounds very reasonable; you’ll be hearing from my solicitor in the morning. Here, your hairy leg is scratching me – yeah, I know you are a girl but you had better borrow your dad’s razor. Well we won’t win if you’re going to get the sulks, will we? I’m not sure who won that but it seemed to entertain the Frinton golfers. What’s next?
A Wheelbarrow Race – bring it on! We’re off; steady, I haven’t got brakes. Stop tickling my feet. Here, Alice and Darcie are doing alright, oh lummy, Will and Ben have collapsed – I think Ben had a blow-out.
Now it’s the Long Jump, and there are some impressive distances being chalked-up. Actually it is looking very close; are you sure that’s right? Cor, look at his jump, and he’s only a little chap – is his mum a kangaroo or something? Hang on, what’s she doing jumping all over the place, it’s not her turn? Oh, I see, someone’s shoved a crab down her wetsuit; fair enough.
Right, now onto the Team Piggy Back; coo, look at that, Nick’s got Daisy, Conor’s got Caitlin, and Beth E has got Mac; look at them go. Now it’s Emma with Alice, Beth F with Harrison and Robert with Michael – that’s it Michael, keep shouting in his ear, Robert really appreciates it! Cor, look at them all fall. It’s going to be fun working out the results.
Now for the Swimming Relay – this Olympic Games business is certainly hard work. So we’ve all got to swim out to that float about 50 meters offshore – easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Actually it’s harder that I thought ‘cause it’s shallow which means running through the sea half the way – I’m feeling absolutely exhausted, I don’t think I can move. What was that? It’s a cake-break; I’m on my way, you try stopping me. Cake, cake, and more cake, that’s kinda cool.
Hello, have we got eggs as well? Oh, I get it, it’s the Egg & Spoon Race. Wow, look at Korben go – he’s done this before. Now it’s his brother Mac’s turn, cor – he’s good too. Oh, Seb, your egg seems to be in pieces. Doooo – there goes another one. Now it’s my turn; crumbs, it’s harder than it looks – don’t make me laugh, oh no, I’m getting the giggles. Well that was a smashing game, what shall we do with the eggs that are left? OMG here comes one flying through the air – this means war!! Ugh – let’s all wash ourselves off in the sea before we rig the boats and head home.
I wonder if they will put a plaque up here to commemorate the holding of the Gunfleet Olympics in 2013. This is a great sail back to the Club; oh, there’s the Clubhouse already. Up we go, time to pack the boats away and hit the road. Gosh, it’s all over. Oh, hang on though, we do have the Cadet Party tomorrow. This Week has been G-R-E-A-T; I will never ever forget it.
SATURDAY: Cor, it seems strange not going straight down the Club and meeting all my friends there. I really was looking forward to another blast on the water but instead I guess I can have a bit of a lay-in. What’s that? It’ll soon be time to get down the Gunfleet for the Cadet Week Party – bring it on. Hello, here we are, she looks a bit glammed-up; oh isn’t he cool; what do you mean, you didn’t recognise me with my clothes on; fancy a vicar saying that? Actually I don’t fancy a vicar saying that, or anything else for that matter; I’m here for a good time. The food smells nice but let’s grab a drink first, what shall it be? A Coke, maybe a Vimto. Oh yeah, mum said go easy on the drink, so I had better have a Rio. Here, I wonder if my Team won. That Chris has got a mischievous twinkle in his eye – what does he know? Actually, he knows the score “all-right Chris, how’s it going?” What do you mean “Wait and see buddy”? “By the way Chris, here’s my sponsored sail form and money”.
Gosh, Jon and Linda, and Mrs. Commodore have got a bit of a sweat on behind the galley – not surprising with 93 hungry mouths to feed; gazooks, look at that mountain of crackling, I’m hungry. Now how can I position myself to be first in the food queue? Oh, they’ve started serving and here am I chatting to you, excuse me a minute. That’s a mighty meaty hog-roast bap, simply oozing with ‘de pig’; apple sauce? Yes please, oh and can I have some stuffing and that lovely looking chunk of crackling...mmmm. Two corn on the cobs and a couple of new potatoes will slip down a treat. Here, move-up and let a tiddler squeeze in and sit down. “Yeah, I do live nearby”; “I’ve been sailing here a couple of years”; “Yes, I have two older sisters”; “here mum, why do you keep asking me these silly questions?”
That was really scrummy, I’m bloated, I feel like a big fat tart...but you’ll have to do, Mary...arf, arf. Ouch, there was no need to whack me round the ear. Shhh, Chris is making his speech, he’s thanking everyone; actually they really deserve it. Now here goes with the scores – that’s a great score for SFA Conor, oh Tommy – so close for BOB; ah’ never mind Robert – GBR tried their best...wooh, wooh, wooh – Charlie’s team SUPER have only gone and done it – congrats y’all. Hang on, hang on, the Commodore’s got the microphone, he’s not going to make one of his sniffy speeches is he? Oh, that’s alright, he’s giving us the run-down on the overall racing results; what was that, then? How did I do?
Topper Fleet – for the Swallow Trophy:
1. Ben Richardson
2. Robert Gutteridge
3. Tommy Martin
4. Will Marsh
5. Harry Swinbourne
6. Max Bates
7.=Emily Marsh
7.=Nick Cottee
9. Lydia Kurtulus
Topaz Fleet – for the Amazon Trophy:
1. Brogan and Max Bates
2. Beth Elliott and Catlin Ansell
3.= Darcie Baker and Alice Fuller
3.=Ross Aylen and Hugo Johnson
5.=Beth Ford and Daisy Swinbourne
5.=Emma Hygate and Daisy Swinbourne
7. Maddie Wyss and Amie-Lou Ansell
8. Zak Thomas
9. Finn Harkin and Emily Marsh
10. Nick Cottee
Hobie 405 – for the Captain Flint Trophy:
1. Conor and Finlay Williams
2.=Charlie and Harry Spence
2.=Zak and Jake Kurtulus
4. Emma Hygate and Sebastian Sanchez
Well I could have done worse! No, actually I’m rather proud of my sailing this week. And what about Ted, Harrison, Korben and Mac with the Sail Training Squad - didn't they do well. Hello, Chris is calling my name out...wow mum, look at this faberoony T-shirt, wait a sec, don’t I look cool in it? This is brill; wait ‘til I show my mates at school. Yeah, you look good in yours too. Time to celebrate, let’s have a lemonade; now what did mum say about mixing drinks. Could I have that piece of chocolate gateaux Jon? Yes please Linda, I’ll have a drop of cream.
This is a night to remember, it’s been an absolute blast. In fact it’s been the best week ever, and now all I have got to look forward to is school. Ah well I have decided what I want to do when I leave school, I’m going to be a lollipop man as you don’t have to start work until your 65; that leaves plenty of time for sailing!
Thanks to Gunfleet and everyone for giving me and all my mates such a great Cadet Week, and a special thanks to our Cadet Officer Chris – Top Banana, mate!
