The 2009 Dart 18 National Championships was help at Dee Sailing Club on the banks of Dee estuary from 20th to 23rd August. The event was held at Dee SC for the first time, in their centenary year.

The 57 entries included boats from Holland, Italy and France and the entry was up on last year bucking the trend in many classes this year and good enough to be close to the top 20 nationals turnouts.

The strong field included Dan Norman and Mel Rodgers (Sheppey) the defending champions (and former world Champions) and the current world champion Emmanuel Dode … Continue Reading

The Dart Nationals are only four weeks away and the House & Social Committee are looking for volunteers throughout the event, especially during the daytime. We really need help from anybody prepared to assist with breakfast rolls, manning the tuck shop, prepare food for evening meals, cooking on the BBQ’s and general cleaning duties. We need help from 7.30am throughout the day, on every day of the event, breaks are allowed and the work is very satisfying! The club also needs volunteers to assist with trollies on the beach and looking after car parking etc. If anybody is willing to … Continue Reading

Last Sunday saw a glorious Spring day for a change – “Goodbye Winter!!!”. Along with the daffodils and bluebells, many boats were seen to emerge from their winter cover. Being an excited early season boat twitcher, Simon Moruzzi wasted no time capturing them on film for our enjoyment:

Even the fog, early start, and low wind forecast could not keep 13 teams tucked up in bed on Sunday. Monohulls and Cats mixed it up a bit in the annual persuit race, in what turned out to be quite testing weather. Nothing extreme, but a good bit feistier than expected, causing a couple of capsizes, and maybe a withdrawal or two. There was some confusion about the ending of the race, but subsequent discussions resulted in Chris Aspinal emerging as the winner – congratulations.

Are the holidays over? I guess they must be, with 11 cats and two monohulls racing, with another six cruisers visiting Wales, making 19-plus boats on the water in what can only be described as miserable weather. Unless you’ve just returned from holiday, when it would be described to the children as “Getting brighter. Soon. Maybe tomorrow. Go and find some colouring in, now…”

Perhaps there was a shortage of colouring in today, or was it the high stakes event that brought everyone out, for the competitive souls were there for the Club Championships. Team Goudie did an excellent job as … Continue Reading