The old Reedham Regatta has moved again! After having been based very successfully at Rockland for the last four years, the closure of some of the moorings there forced us into another change and so we moved, lock, stock and beer tent, to Langley Staithe. The early crew erected the tent, hung out the bunting and set up the bar lights and furniture. Soon Julia arrived with the beer and our first regatta of the season was underway.

There was much gazing at the treetops and discussion about the wind forecast as we sat in the sunshine enjoying our pre-prandials and waiting for the full complement of the fleet to arrive. Suffice to say here that some members had a less than smooth trip across Breydon, but after some fortifying beers, arrived at Langley: not quite in one piece, but surviving to sail another day.

Just three boats, all reefed, decided to race in the gusty conditions on Saturday morning. A ten minute time gate was allocated to the start in view of the conditions, with the course being set as a straight sail to Coldham Hall. Those not racing all arrived under engine on Vixen and Broad Flight, or in a dory and a pleasant lunchtime on the pub lawn ensued. Wandering Rose won this race, with Sabrina 2 and Honey in second and third places respectively.

A rather hasty decision saw Vixen decide to quickly put a reef in and join the afternoon race, which was again a straightforward passage downriver, back to base at Langley. She was rewarded with a second place, just 25 seconds behind Sabrina 2, with Honey in third. Wandering Rose decided to fall apart (dodgy bit of string, apparently) and their sojourn in the reedbed just after the start in order to fix things meant they were firmly in fourth place.

Back at Langley, the team swung into action to set up affairs for the afternoon tea party with Pimms, which was attended by over 30 members and guests. After a welcome speech from the Commodore, noting that we were using this occasion to formally mark 150 years since the original YSC was formed in 1876, an orderly queue formed for the Pimms and plates were rapidly filled with sandwiches, sausage rolls and an array of delicious cakes made by Julia and Jimmy.

Additionally, all those attending were presented with a commemorative pin badge and, later on, there was the opportunity to have a go at “Spot the Buoy.” This was ultimately won by the Commodore, who was 2mm closer to the correct spot than Steve Burton. The prize chocolates however never reached his hands, being snaffled en route by his daughter!

All the reefs came out on Sunday morning, which dawned with slightly lighter winds than forecast. It was also very fluky directionally, which added that slight element of luck to the race. Due to a shortage of volunteers, a time gate was again used, resulting in a lot of jockeying for position in Langley Reach as some boats tried to get away promptly – Sabrina 2 leaving at the exact moment that the gate opened – and others wanting to be last away.

The main criteria for the course was that it had to be long enough so that no-one finished before noon, after which Terry, Chris and Christine were guaranteed to be in place on the line at Cantley. The fleet were therefore sent upriver to a mark just below Beauchamp, back to a buoy above Langley, back up to the top of the course again and then down to the finish line slightly upstream of the Reedcutter. This proved an excellent course, with a long tack away from the start, then a good mix of reaching, running and working into the wind.

The winner turned out to be Valkyrie II, followed by Morning Calm with Sabrina 2 in third place, just 6 seconds ahead of Vixen. At the prize-giving, the Commodore also gave the long-overdue award of life membership to Chris Dowsett: a past Commodore himself and always a generous supporter of the club, both financially and in freely giving of his time. For many years he was a fixture on the start line with his gun, as well as successfully racing Dragonfly in the past, especially at Breydon Regatta. Some may also remember the firework displays he used to organise at that event.