Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

Savouring being back out on the water, but missing the karate sailing

by Mark Jardine 25 May 2020 10:00 PDT
Land Rover BAR's David 'Freddie' Carr and Paul Campbell-James messing about on boats on a windless Saturday at Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Bermuda © ACEA 2015 / Ricardo Pinto

It seems I struck a chord when we published 'The great grass-roots revival?' a fortnight ago. Since then lockdown restrictions have been gradually eased in both Australia and England: we're allowed to go sailing! Rules vary from nation to nation within the UK, and state to state in Australia, which makes things confusing, but the hope is that all will be able to get out on the water soon.

We of course are continuing to observe social distancing rules and need to be mindful of the conditions we're sailing in. While completely avoiding risk is impossible, with due care we can minimise the chances of needing rescue and that of having contact with people from outside our household.

Where it's possible, local club sailing is thriving. My own club at Keyhaven, nestled behind Hurst Castle at the very Western end of The Solent, has been bustling with activity. A myriad of craft are launching to take advantage of the glorious weather we've been having in the UK - another May bank holiday weekend with sunshine is a rarity indeed...

Saturday's high winds saw the kite surfers out in force; Sunday's solid breeze, gusting 25 knots at times, was enjoyed by the single-handers such as Lasers and Finns (one of the regulars decided instead to take their foiling windsurfer for a spin) and more than a few families sailing together.

Sunday for me was crewing in an RS Feva for my eldest son. At six-feet tall this is possible, although the complaint I heard most was that I was in the way and needed to duck down... easier said than done! It was a hugely enjoyable sail and my son came back beaming from ear to ear. This surely is the great grass-roots revival in full effect.

On Monday I took the Feva out again with my youngest son for his first sail of the year. After a morning of no wind, a light South Westerly sea breeze filled in, making it ideal. A plethora of dinghies, RIBs and paddleboards were taking advantage of the fine weather. A perfect day for 'messing about in boats'.

The two big missing elements are of course racing and the club social scene - the rivalry, the camaraderie, the post-race karate sailing*, the burgers on the barbecue, that beer at sunset after a close race.

What am I missing most? Without doubt it's the Lymington Thursday evening keelboat series. Sailing in a menagerie fleet of 80 boats in relaxed atmosphere with a bunch of good mates as we zig zag our way around the Western Solent is a highlight for many through the summer months. Social distancing on a keelboat isn't practical and the joy we gain from this is going to have to wait for the time being. It will return, and the enjoyment we derive from it is going to be savoured all the more after the enforced break.

It isn't fine weather everywhere, and our thoughts are with all those along the West coast of Australia being battered by ex-Tropical Cyclone Mangga.

Stay safe everyone.

Mark Jardine
Sail-World.com & YachtsandYachting.com Managing Editor

* Karate sailing - the hand actions made when discussing a scenario on the water, most often boats crossing

Related Articles

Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted on 1 Jul
Bill Guilfoyle on the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race
Bill Guilfoyle discusses the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race When it comes to offshore sailing in the United States, the biennial Transpacific Yacht Race reigns supreme for its distance and promise of off-the-breeze sailing angles. Posted on 1 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted on 1 Jul
One thing. One big, very fast boat
One thing that opened the door, another made us enquire some more - 50 knots! Yes. It was one thing that opened the door, as it were. One thing that piqued the curiosity enough to go, ‘I'll take a look at that!' One thing that when you're trying to crack in excess of 50 knots... Posted on 30 Jun
A brief history of marine instrument networks
Hugh Agnew has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge One man who has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge, is Hugh Agnew, the Cambridge-educated mathematician who is one of the founders of A+T Instruments in Lymington, so I spoke to him to find out more... Posted on 25 Jun
Harald Findlay on the 2025 Edgartown Race Weekend
A Q&A with Harald Findlay on the 2025 Edgartown Race Weekend When it comes to racing sailboats on the East Coast of the United States in the summer months, few places are as classic as the waters surrounding Martha's Vineyard's northwestern flank. Posted on 18 Jun
Sailing and the summer solstice
Celebrating sailing and the longest day of the year If you love long evenings and early mornings, this is one of the best times of the whole year, as the summer solstice (Friday, June 20) and the entire rich expanse of summer are about to burst into bloom. Posted on 17 Jun
Video Review: The Amazing Cure 55
Composite Construction meets Cruising Convenience It was two years ago at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that I talked to Dave Biggar about his ideas and plans for the Cure 55. At the 2025 show I got to step on board the yacht and see how his ideas became reality. Posted on 17 Jun
The Big Bash
Every summer the tournament rolls into town. A short format of the game. Fun and excitement abound. Every summer the tournament rolls into town. Local and international players. A short format of the game, run over a relatively compact six-week season. Posted on 15 Jun
The oldest video footage of Kiel Week
A look back into our video archive at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s In our series of articles looking back in time through our video archive, we visit Germany. Kiel Week is been a crucial event on the world circuit, and here we look back at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s. Posted on 15 Jun
Switch One DesignRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERExposure Marine