This annual event, run by the Royal Yachting Association, is to gently introduce novice sailors to racing. But this year, on September 6th, they competed in conditions they are not likely to meet again! Despite a weather forecast of gusts up to 29 knots, 41 brave children came to Bough Beech reservoir with their Optimist and Topper dinghies.

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Chloe Martin, returning from being part of the overall winning British Sailing Youth Team at the ISAF Youth Championships in Denmark, put in a stunning individual performance to win the European Girls Laser Radial Youth Championship 2008 at Douarnenez, France last week, 24th July – 1st August.
Chloe, who is part of the P&O Ferries Talented Athlete Scheme, sailed consistently all week with only one result out of the top ten. She started with a fifth and a first on day one in gentle breezes and was disappointed when the race officer abandoned day two when similar wind was too unstable to set a course.

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Medway Ports Authority expect that a number of pleasure and fishing craft will congregate off Garrison Point, Sheerness, over the early afternoon low water period on Sunday 10th August 2008, as a protest against increases in fuel duty.

Medway Ports Authority wish to remind river users of the Byelaws, in particular numbers 22, 24 and 30. For further information, see their web site.

On the day, the latest information on the protest may be obtained from the Medway Navigation Service on VHF Channel 74, callsign "Medway VTS,” or telephone (01795) 663025

6th September 2008
The Topper and Oppie Regatta will be run on two different courses and the rules are very simple and very few. We have a 321 starting sequence and we usually guide them round the course until we think they are ok. There are no protests!

The regattas are aimed at youngsters with one or two seasons sailing experience (and little racing experience), so the only rule really is no misbehaving whilst racing or they could be removed.

There are 4 races plus and adult race (yes in an Oppie or Topper). The competition is between the 6 areas in the South East region of the RYA so each person will race individually and for the area in which their Club is situated. It doesn't matter how many people come from each area as all we do is add up the scores for each competitor and divide by the number of competitors to get an average and the area with the lowest average wins.

Each area will be allocated 3 boats so all competitors over and above that must supply their own boats. Some areas bring a trailer of boats in.

The race officer does a briefing before the event.

There are no entry fees and any costs are financed by the RYA SE, who also supply the trophies.

Contact for any queries is Chris Cooper of Bough Beech SC

We have been warned that climate change activists are planning to try and shut down Kingsnorth power station on 9th August.

Medway Ports are concerned that the activists will obstruct shipping and possibly do something dangerous - so exercise caution if you are afloat on the lower Medway on that day.