Craftinsure Lark Open at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club

A lack of wind at Rock for the Larks © Nigel Scott

Sand, sun, ice cream... And not a drop of wind!

A healthy group of Lark sailors once again joined with the Scorpion fleet to journey down to Rock S&WSC in Cornwall for our annual dose of Doom Bar bitter, Cornish ice cream, pasties and sun, sea, sand and close racing on epic waves out in Polzeath Bay.

On the Saturday the fleet launched and sailed with the tide out in the bay, on what seemed to be a failing breeze. As the fleet reached the committee boat and course expertly laid by PRO Martin Hough, the breeze died completely and everyone drifted around for about an hour. Finally a light Northerly breeze filled in (not from the forecast direction at all), so the race committee attempted to get the fleets under way, only for the breeze to shift and then die away as the start gun went. After a short postponement, it was sadly agreed that no racing was going to be achieved that day, and everyone drifted home with the spring tide and a little help from the rescue boats!

On the Sunday, everyone woke early to hear the race officers verdict, but could see the complete absence of wind both in the harbour, in the bay and in the forecast. Sadly despite a plan to get some short races in at tea time over the top of the tide, the wind once again failed to show leaving the fleets to roll the dice for the 3rd and final day of the bank holiday weekend.

A lack of wind at Rock for the Larks - photo © Nigel Scott

Monday dawned with a familiar sight... absolutely no wind, although the sun came to play for the final day. Unfortunately the only decision that could be made was to abandon racing, without a single race having being sailed.

Despite not being able to race over the weekend, the fleets enjoyed three great evenings in Rock S&WSC with a Fish Supper, Chilli night and local band, and a great Sunday night with both fleets putting the world to rights over a beer. Many were able to visit Padstow for the annual May Day Hobby Horse festival, enjoy the amazing beaches and walk to Polzeath and Daymer Bay sampling the Cornish ice cream along the way.

Huge thanks must go to Martin Hough and the team at Rock S&WSC, for dealing with some extremely challenging conditions, making some difficult but sensible decisions, and for hosting a band of hungry and thirsty sailors all weekend. Both fleets will of course be back next year and can't wait to experience the best Rock has to offer.