The Eric Chesher Regatta - 17/18 April 2010

Helensburgh Sailing Club hosted the first of RYA Scotland Sailability Traveller Series. This series which caters for disabled sailors, is sailed in Challenger dinghies. These three-hulled dinghies provide the necessary stability on the water. The series is named in honour of the late Eric Chesher, one of the founding members of the Helensburgh Challenger Group which was formed in 1983. The weekend provided a good opportunity to show off the new Clubhouse with its up-to-date facilities for the disabled.

The series was sailed in testing conditions. On Saturday, a westerly wind was above 20 knots for extended periods with gusts as high as 27 knots. The sailors at the top end of the fleet showed that they were up to the conditions and displayed a high standard of sailing. By the end of the day’s three races, Judi Figgures (pictured rounding the windward mark) has already taken the lead in the Gold fleet. Only one helm in the Bronze fleet, Lorna Turnbull, felt able to venture out in these wind strengths and successfully completed the race. Helms in the Bronze fleet sail with an able-bodied “buddy” on a small seat next to them. At the end of the day the group enjoyed a BBQ in sunny conditions.

On Sunday the wind abated somewhat to give winds of 10 to 15 knots but from the north east. After 2 additional scheduled races, Judi Figgures, who travelled all the way from Graffham, had consolidated her lead in the Gold fleet with Tony Flinn and Alex Hodge coming a close second and third respectively. Three boats turned out in the Bronze fleet. Lorna Turbull emerged as the clear winner with Ruth Foley second and Mary MacDonald as third. A final crews race concluded the event. The Club provided ample support including help from the cadets in rescue and buddying

Photographs courtesy of Kevin Lynch.

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A small, single seater Trimaran dinghy that is safe for any disabled person. It's unsinkable, self bailing, won’t capsize and very stable. VERSATILE: use it racing, training or cruising. Launch from the beach, slipway, pontoon or mooring. And because it can be fitted with electronic controls and personalized seating, it enables disabled people from 12 to 92 years young, female and male to all enjoy the thrills and freedom of sailing.

As part of Helensburgh Sailing Club where we have full use of the newly built clubhouse , including showers and toilets for both male and female disabled sailors, Helensburgh Challenger Group exists to advance the education and promote the welfare of disabled sailors and disabled persons in general.  It aims to promote the enjoyment of sailing by disabled people and to encourage, instruct and support disabled sailors enabling them to achieve the competence and confidence to enjoy taking charge of a Challenger afloat and ashore.

Challenger Representative: 

e-mail :Challengers@Helensburghsailingclub.co.uk

Useful Links:

    Disabled Sailing  |  IFDS  |  DSA  |  Sail Challengers  | RYA-Sailability

    Challenger Class Association