SW Sailing Championships a tribute to much-loved Commodore at Restronguet Sailing Club
by Louise Midgley 8 May 03:56 PDT
3-5 May 2025
The South West RS Aero Championships held amid bright and challenging conditions from Restronguet Sailing Club in Falmouth Harbour over the Bank Holiday weekend created a poignant tribute to the much-loved RSC Commodore John Calvert and the racing class he enthusiastically promoted and competed in.
John was a founding member of RSC's 15-strong RS Aero fleet and was the first sailor to sign up for the Kari-Tek-sponsored 2025 SW Championships: his death, surrounded by his family, has shocked and saddened the Club and the community at large.
The event was launched at Restronguet by Acting Commodore Robin Laney with a tribute line-up by competitors on the beach in front of the Clubhouse for John Calvert.
The RS Aero, first produced in 2014, is technically advanced and described as one of the most exciting modern single-hander racing dinghies. Easily handled it is incredibly light, with a hull weighing in at just 33kg - about the same as an Optimist - and four rig sizes enabling young sailors, women and men to enjoy the boat and compete equally.
Patrick Clarke, Aero Class Captain at RSC and event organiser says, "As we thank all the volunteers, sponsors and competitors that have made this wonderful event possible, our thoughts are with John Calvert and his family.
"As a founding member of Restronguet Sailing Club's RS Aero fleet it was typical of his kind of leadership that he calmly exuded a cheerfulness and easy manner that was always at the heart of his way of doing things, especially when it came to his enjoyment of sailing.
"There is no doubt that his demeanour was part of the chemistry that has seen the growth of this fleet to a thriving and enthusiastic group of over 15 Aero sailors of all ages. We shall miss John sailing his boat numbered 2517 dearly."
Falmouth Harbour CEO Miles Carden adds, "These Championships for such exciting boats have created a wonderful tribute to RSC Commodore John Calvert who so sadly passed away during the run up to the event. This was a great competition showcasing our beloved Falmouth Harbour yet again as one of the best places on the planet to sail.
"We were very pleased to support the event - the RS Aero is an incredible boat allowing everyone of all ages to compete in the same class on an equal footing and I believe John would have been hugely pleased with the outcome."
The event was held over three days with two testing races each day and the entry of 14 RS Aero boats. The rigs included ten Aero 7s, four Aeros 5s and one Aero 6, with Gary Cartlidge in Aero 4635 taking advantage of the rule allowing one change of rig on Sunday and winning race 3 as a result of the switch.
Day 1 of the Championships saw amazing conditions with a northerly wind blowing in just before the start and great courses set by Dr Phil Slater. Day 2 saw another lovely day with an east wind force 3-4 but occasionally gusting up to 5. The Windward mark, slightly sheltered under the land, gave a tricky top mark rounding. Day 3 saw light winds and the wind swinging from north east to north challenging Race Officer Nigel Sharp and his race committee.
Overall winner and first 7 rig was Dave Buzzard who was super-consistent across the whole event, only counting top threes. In an incredible second in his first Championship was 17 year old Noah Carden who was also the first Aero 5 and first Junior and the only competitor to get two race wins. Third was Mike Upton a visitor from Exe SC in his 7 rig. Also deserving of a mention was George Lenney in fourth overall, second Junior and second Aero 5. Simon Loveridge was fifth overall and first Master.
A new perpetual trophy was awarded to the overall winner, with the main and other prizes provided by Kari-Tek including a car-top boat carrier for the winner's dinghy worth more than £1000 and other vouchers for roof-top racks for those placed in the top three overall and by category amounting to hundreds of pounds each.
The RS Aero UK SW Area Championships and Restronguet Sailing Club are deeply grateful for the generous sponsorship and prizes provided by Scotland-based Kari-Tek, which designs and makes innovative systems for lifting and transporting water-craft including sailing dinghies like the Aero or other dinghies, kayaks and paddleboards. The Prizes were presented by the company's Gaynor Turner on Monday afternoon followed by a Cornish Tea for all participants.