10/10/2025
Hello Everyone,
I don’t need to write much as I can let those who wrote to us and about us do the talking.
The Prize Giving & Laying Up Supper is on the 25th October. Please do support this event. We have world class sailor Maddy Anderson, a member of the RYA 49erFX development squad aiming for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, as our Speaker.
Maddy Anderson & Team Mate Katie Dabson
I would like to say a massive thank you to all our extremely hard-working volunteers, flag officers and committee members. You all know who you are.
If we need reminding what sort of a Sailing Club and village port we wish to be part of, here below is an email I received from the East Coast Old Gaffer Association after their visit to us this summer which says it all!
14th September
Dear James and Migs.
Well …….. !!
What a busy, bustling and bloomin’ welcoming club you have there, combined with a truly impressive listing of past commodores in the clubhouse.
An amazing welcome in the midst of such a tight schedule of sailors of all ages, shapes and sizes (and that is not just the boats being sailed!
It must be the smallest set of club premises we have visited but it is one of the busiest by far, and even then, you put on a BBQ AND beer for us. I only found out about the beer 3 days later.
Thankyou to you all for such a tremendous welcome which started with ‘the man in the launch’ Matt Smy, without whom, we would still be looking for moorings! He was very much a ‘laid back star’ and there were still spare moorings too. Please pass on our collective thanks to him.
Thankyou to all the youngsters we saw on both days, they were just so pleasant and greeted us as it they knew us all and had met us all personally before!
Whatever you are doing to them keep doing it!!
At our last recent committee meeting we approved a £200.00 donation for your club so we would like to have the appropriate back details so our treasurer can make the payment.
Once again, many collective thanks for us on the East Coast OGA.
Three Cheers for the OSC !!!
Fair wind and fair tides.
Pete Elliston
East Coast Secretary & Vice President
OGA, the Association for Gaff Rigged Sailing
I also copy you below a lovely report from Rui Ewart-Perks, one of the young Aldeburgh YC Sailors who took part in our club’s first Open Junior Regatta.
A strong breeze on a beautiful evening, six boats lined up on the slipway, ready to depart for a steady trip to Orford. With the winds coming from the North, it would be smooth sailing on a run down to our destination. Music and winds whistled through our ears as the fleet sped to Orford. Lasers led the pack while the Fevas followed behind. Spinnakers tossed into the air catching the air in bowl shapes.
When the fleet arrived at Orford, we were met with plenty of friendly faces, all helping to de-rig the boats and pull them ashore. To our surprise, we had to tie our boats down as the tide would come through and onto the boatyard. Making new friends and absorbing the new environment of the Orford Sailing Club was delightful. We all registered and were informed about the following days racing.
The following day, sails were strung high in a moderate breeze. Lasers and toppers were the racers in the morning, and the Fevas followed in the afternoon. As I was in the Feva, I can only explain the fun we had in the afternoon. Orford managed to fit in three races, all of which included leeward and windward marks, and plenty of laps. In comparison to the races in Aldeburgh, they were much shorter but with more laps. During the Aldeburgh regatta, there is only one race per session, however, with flawless organisations from Orford, a couple of races per session allowed the most fun and a more accurate assessment of the best racers.
Day two of the regatta was no different, except for the stronger winds and the change of location of the races. The result of higher winds meant that a couple of boats unfortunately had to retire. Even so, all of the racers had fun, wet or dry. In the afternoons, only two races were held but with longer courses and more laps.
After a long day of racing, all racers sailed safely back and then held the prize giving. Thanks to Orford’s sponsors, many great prizes were awarded, such as glasses, dry bags and more. The winners were announced and everyone was incredibly supportive. And with an amazing atmosphere of the Orford Sailing Club, the regatta came to a close after a long but fun weekend.
A strong breeze on a beautiful evening, six boats lined up on the slipway, ready to depart for a steady trip to Aldeburgh. With the winds coming from the East, it would be smooth sailing on a reach up to our destination. Music and winds whistled through our ears again as the fleet sped to Aldeburgh. What a way to conclude a magical weekend on a magical evening.
This says volumes for out terrific team of Instructors and volunteers led by Sheena, Suzy, Matt and Miranda. The bar continues to be pushed higher and higher.
And thank you also to those who manned the galley led by the indefatigable Sammy Boyd and Claire Davidson.
Following the strong winds and an exceptionally high tide last weekend (4/5th October) the dinghy park was rearranged! Please check the webcam to see if your boat has been effected.
I hope to see many of you at the Prize Giving & Laying Up Supper.
Best wishes
James
