On one of the best days of warm sunshine so far this year and with a light southerly wind two hundred, visitors aged from three to many over 80 came from all over the UK to Kippford on Saturday.
They were there to enjoy one of the best Solway Yacht Club open days in recent times. A warm welcome was given by club members to all visitors who wanted to sample the club’s facilities both on and off the water.
Kippford has been described by the Kippford Village Association as a “hidden gem” and seeing it from the sea shows this scenic village at its best. As the incoming tide of the River Urr laps gently onto the shore the many high contrast features of the seafront buildings are shown off at their best.
Boat rides out into Rough Firth, past Rough Island and even towards Hestan Island were available in a large sailing cruiser, rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and not least the club’s sailboats powered only by the wind. These included dinghy types such as Toppers, Picos. Fevas, a Buzz and a Bahia. Boat names of these include Picoboo, Nightfeva, Discofeva, I think I have a Feva and Charlotte.
After sailing, for those who went out in boats and also for those who did not go afloat, a great welcome was made to one and all in the Ccubhouse. Here they enjoyed tea, coffee, soft drinks and a delicious variety of home-made cakes showing off the excellent baking skills of many of the club’s members.
On Friday, a number of members had completed an on and off the water Royal Yachting Association (RYA) safety boat course. The weekend’s sunshine and fair winds allowed for maximum on water time to test out the background theory and give the boat drivers and their crew the necessary valuable experience to complete this important qualification. Thanks are given to the instructors April Whitely, Alan Gilman and Julian Stanning. Congratulations are due to Simon Blissett, David Reilly, Emma McRobert, Andy Adair, Katie Bishop, Richards Bishop and James Bishop.
On Saturday, May 25 11 large yachts and powerboats – the Solway Yacht Club’s “Solway Armada” will sail or motor over to Whitehaven for a special social weekend at Whitehaven Marina.
Another important further event for the club this year will happen on the weekend of May 25 and 26. This is the honour of hosting a country-wide competition open to all owners of Finn dinghy boats north and south of the border. That weekend the club will also celebrate its 120th anniversary of existence. This will take the form of a special regatta and social event in the evening.
