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2023 Annual Dinghy Regatta & Bart's Bash

Published 16:03 on 16 Sep 2023

2023 Annual Dinghy Regatta and Bart's Bash

Over the weekend of September 9 and 10 TCYC held its' annual dinghy regatta and rolled in our Bart's Bash race at the same time. This was to take advantage of suitable tides as the nationally advertised dates (16&17 Sept) for Bart's Bash are unsuitable for us in estuary sailors in south Devon. And what a weekend it was the weather was a superb mid 20's crystal blue skies and a superb sea breeze flooding up the river.

Race Officer, Steve Pocock, set a simple triangular course and explained the days' proceedings atop our very wobbly committee boat.

With ages ranging from 8 upwards and sailing abilities ranging from novice to world champion it was important for all to keep their wits about them as our young novices were treated as moveable obstructions with a need for the more experienced to keep clear at all times. Over the course of the weekend 30 different dinghies took part including those in club boats like RS Tera's, Q'bas, Fevas and Visions as well as club member boats like ILCA 6's (formerly Laser Radials), Enterprise, Solos, Taser, Topper Topaz, Wanderer and Wayfarer so a complete mishmash of boats

In recognition of Bart's sense of fun the weekend was advertised as a pirate themed party with young and old dressing the part, some taking to the water in full pirate regalia.

Rylie Commander-Finnemore, U8

Oliver Commander, 8-15

And not just sailing on the river but paddling on both standard and giant SUPs (stand up paddleboards). Our fellow scouts from the Shaldon River Teign Sea Scouts (RTSS) led the paddling on both afternoons with some 20 children joining in the fun and games. For our YouTube video of Pirates, sailing, paddling and games all captured here

And to cap it all we welcomed some 17 new members to come along for the fun, games and a club BBQ hosted by our resident chef Ian Heppell. We must have been doing something right because we gained 7 new members as a result they must be as mad as the rest of us.

Can't let this go without saying a huge thank you to all those that helped make this such a memorable event, 25 different folk over the weekend. Thank you all!

And last but not least if anyone still wants to donate to the Andrew Simpson Foundation in memory of Bart please follow this JustGiving link. Bart was such a wonderful guy, family man, friend to many and superbly talented Olympic sailor. He's remembered fondly by many of us and his legacy of the Andrew Simpson Foundation is inspiring to so many young sailors around the world. Go Bart!

Overall Winners

Best Dressed Pirates:
U8	Rylie Commander Finnemore
8-15	Oliver Commander
Adult	Ian Clemow and Claire Colyer joint winners

Bart's Bash			and	Dinghy Regatta
1^st	Tim Martin	Solo		1^st	Tim Martin	Solo	4pts
2^nd	Malcolm Davies	Taser		2^nd	Malcolm Davies	Taser	9.5pts
3^rd	Grant Simmons	Solo		3^rd	Garry Phare	Finn	14pts