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.

We have just been provided with a list of Funding Opportunities for Kent Clubs July 2008

The Environment Agency have responsibility for managing flood risk in this country, and have asked the Thames Estuary Partnership (TEP) to arrange a series of evening talks and weekend open days to update communities and organisations across North Kent on the Environment Agency’s Thames Estuary 2100 project.

TE2100 is a project which is developing a long term tidal flood risk management plan for the Thames Estuary to identify what action will be needed through this century to manage flood risk to people and wildlife.

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This year the Oppie and Topper Regattas will be run on the same day - 6th September at Bough Beech Sailing Club. As in previous years entrants should be youngsters with one or two seasons of sailing under their belt, and who have never competed in an open event.

Further information will be posted soon; in the meantime please download a poster for display in your Club or Centre.