Sailability Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series at Castle Semple Sailing Club

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Castle Semple © Joe Reilly

The first event of the 2025 Scottish Travellers was held on the weekend 12-13 April at the very welcoming Castle Semple SC, near Glasgow. A kindly sailing god replaced the usual Scottish weather by plenty of sunshine and a decent breeze. This was a relief to the organisers after too much drifting in previous visits.

Lego has nothing on Challengers. So easy, and quick, to put together! That was Friday afternoon taken care of, before the three visiting sailors headed off for a wee libation.

Saturday morning dawned with the wind coming from the south east, and not from the forecast south west. Up went the postponement flag, but that genial god smiled and quite quickly gave us the expected south westerly and five Challengers were launched. The wind was oscillating and testing the sailors all weekend.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Castle Semple - photo © Joe Reilly

In Race one the sailors did a double take when local lad Iain Hardy (253) was first round the top mark. Normal service was resumed by the conclusion of the first race, with Duncan Greenhalgh (280) taking the bullet, followed by David Driffill (275) less than a minute behind. There was to be close racing between these two sailors all weekend.

Not wanting anyone to suffer from starvation, lunch was next, but without too much chivvying, the fleet was back out for races two and three. These were longer races with more gybes, and provided close racing. There were only eight seconds between Duncan and David in Race two, and surprisingly, Duncan was kicked off the top spot.

At one point in Race three, Steve Laycock (3) fancied his chances of second place: Duncan was heading for the wrong mark (on the wrong side of the loch to boot!), but David shouted to him and Duncan realised the error of his ways. The race saw four boats finish within ninety seconds of each other with Duncan taking the win and Jon Hasler (252) getting the better of David.

The only drama during the day was when the lead Challenger spotted two canoeists in the water with their swamped canoe. The safety boat was alerted and stood by until all had drifted to the shore. The canoeists were later able to laugh and joke about their escapade.

Notwithstanding the visitors exploring yet more licensed establishments on Saturday evening, they turned up in fine fettle on Sunday morning. Duncan and David were ready to resume their ding dong battle. Sunday saw some changes among the local sailors, with Jules Whitestone taking over from Jon in 252 and Paul O'Neill replacing Iain in 253.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Castle Semple - photo © Joe Reilly

The hospitable deity gave us an increasing wind during the morning, but we were perhaps pushing our luck, as 252 lost its clew outhaul hook to the waves (but a repair was possible and Jules was out again for the last race), and the air temperature had fallen.

Races four and five were long and chilly, but a great way to finish the weekend with Challengers clocking over 12kts when reaching on the flat water. In the last race, Steve achieved his best result of third.

Congratulations to third placed local boat, Jon Hasler, second placed and very far travelled David Driffill, and to the winner, Duncan Greenhalgh.

Thanks to Arthur Logan the Club Event Organiser and Race Officer and also to the many, willing Club members (too numerous to mention by name) who turned up on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help with all the necessary efforts of building boats, launching and recovering boats, taking professional quality photos and most important feeding the hungry sailors. Castle Semple SC are to be congratulated on the recent improvements to their clubhouse which make it fully accessible. Thank you Castle Semple.

Finally, as the Race Officer said, "Haste ye back".

Overall Results: