Swanage Regatta. 3rd July, 2021.

At last the Hant & Dorset Season in underway - with Swanage Regatta taking place on Saturday, 3rd July, 2021.

Once again, on behalf of the Association can I thank you all for the part you played in what I believe was, in the circumstances, a really successful regatta. Its popularity remains as high as ever - in spite of making it a fours only Regatta - according to my records we had 97 entries! 

The Covid-19 precautions and procedures we put in place seemed to work reasonably well - although Social distancing was something of a challenge! A special thank-you to Sue who put in an enormous amount of work in the days before the regatta to put all these procedures in place and liaised extensively with Swanage Town Council to agree everything and make sure it all came together on the day. Now she has to do it all again for Poole!

It was to the great credit of the Race Officials and the competitors the regatta started on time and finished more or less on time - and presenting the prizes after each event meant we all escaped from the Regatta at a reasonable time - and maybe we should consider this the way forward. The condition held up well - although we had bouts of rain throughout the day. But it was calm in the bay - a little rougher by the buoys. There were a few minor protests but no re-rows. All the volunteers did their jobs exceptionally and the hire services all performed to expectations - Marshes for the Umpires Boat, First Response for the First Aid Cover and Pier Watersports for the additional safety coverage. 

Also we did not have a repeat of some of the previous years issues -  and the tidy-up and litter clearance - policed by Southsea worked well - and I cant believe there is any possibility of a repeat of the complaint received a few years ago  - I think the beach was clearer when we left than when we arrived? The changes that we put in place, at Swanage Town Councils insistence regarding vehicle and trailer movement, policed by Coalporters after Southampton had to withdraw, appeared to work well. Another arguably less significant issue that needs addressing is the clash of radio channels with the local yacht club and moored boats on the course - although this was less of a problem this year.

The risk of thanking Clubs and individuals is that I will miss someone - but here goes - the Race Officials, Controllers and Commentators of course - including Assistant Jo Fucio who did a great job of boat marshaling - helping to keep the regatta on time; BTC for the PA system; Denny Woodford for the Trophies; Sue for contact with Swanage Council - and so much more - plus Alison and Clare from Poole at Regatta control; Poole for the Control Tent, the Tables and chairs. Christchurch and Lymington and Pete Locke for safety boats; Pete Staddon from Christchurch for laying the course - with Pete Lock's - help plus Pete for all the other things he does - Radios, Boat Marshal, receiving and sorting out the cups etc... etc..; Tim Bull - for the program and more; Ryde & Josie for the Officials lunches; Coalporters for manning the gate; Itchen/Gary for checking and bringing the safety kits and officials Life Jackets; Kevin and Sharon from Neaves for storing the buoys and weights and  a special thank you to Kevin for commentating all day and Southsea for policing and undertaking the litter clear-up. I will have missed someone - sorry!

I am not aware of any significant safety issues - with no BR Incident Reports raised to my knowledge. There were a number of fairly minor incidents treated by the First Aiders in attendance. I have asked them for a report on these and any other incidents they treated so I can summarise the safety incidents.

As always the Association welcomes any constructive criticism or suggestions for improvement. 

If any of you have any outstanding expenses/invoices please let me or Sue Sothcott know and we will settle these – but I know most of the individuals/clubs involved – absorb or donate their costs relating to the regatta for which I offer the further thanks of the Association.

I hope I can rely on you all again next year.

With the thanks of the Association once again.

Steve Bull, H&DARA & Swanage Regatta.