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FREE activity guide to the East Coast and its rivers

Tidemill Yacht Harbour Tidemill Way Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 1BP 01394 385745 info@tidemillyachtharbour.co.uk www.tidemillyachtharbour.co.uk VHF 80 Tidemill Yacht Harbour is a long-established marina in Woodbridge where you can moor your boat safely and relax and enjoy the gentle, unspoilt surroundings at your leisure. Our team are on hand for berthing, lifts, cleaning, winter storage and all the running repairs and maintenance your boat may need. We also boast a new travel hoist, impressive shower/washroom amenities and fully-equipped workshops.

• Annual & visitor moorings available all year • Winter storage packages available • Full boatyard services including lift & crane • Engine installation, servicing, diagnostics & repair • Electronics sales & installation • Osmosis treatment & resprays • GRP repairs, painting & varnishing

We look forward to welcoming you to the Tidemill Yacht Harbour!

Richard & the team 2

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ello… and welcome to the 2021 edition of the Coastal Guide! If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that we’re so fortunate to have the East Coast, its estuaries and rivers as a playground, countless activities on and by the water to keep our brains and bodies exercised and, of course, a huge community of like-minded companions who share experiences and offer counsel when things get tough. All that time away from loved ones, the lockdowns and losses, will doubtless provide a framework for how we live and work from now on: it’s time to embrace the new ‘normal’ and to really appreciate the area in which we live, work and spend our leisure time.

With all that in mind, we’ve filled this edition of the Coastal Guide with suggestions of new things to try and a host of events* to enjoy – all subject to government guidelines, of course! Make this your have-a-go year and see how far a renewed sense of adventure can take you. There’s no need to agonise over travel restrictions or vaccination passports – if you’re on the East Coast, everything you need is on your doorstep!

As always, huge thanks to the advertisers who make it possible for us to publish the Coastal Guide, and to all the clubs and businesses who aid in its distribution. It’s free to read only because of these loyal supporters, so do please look at their advertisements and listings, and pay them a visit – virtually or in person – when you’re able.

The Coastal Guide coastalguideuk The Coastal Guide

Gill & Tim The Coastal Guide 2021 ©East Coast Creative www.eastcoastcreative.uk

* All information correct at time of going to press; please check websites for updates

Our new website has lots more on enjoying the East Coast, its estuaries and rivers www.thecoastalguide.co.uk TheCoastalGuide 2021

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Contents

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06 Harwich Harbour Ferry – back, better than ever 08 Go wild! How to start open water swimming 12 North Fambridge’s riverside inn reopens 15 Floating feast: River Cruise Restaurants 17 A warm welcome from the Loch & Quay 18 Woolverstone Marina & Lodge Park 21 Paddle power: Inflatable kayaks for all 27 Capital idea: a new round-Britain sail race 30 South coast challenges 32 East Coast endurance test... & other events 43 Shipbuilding Anglo-Saxon style 46 Ready, steady... row! Is ocean rowing for you?

51 Navigating history: stay safe in Thames traffic 57 Fox’s Marina: On Her Majesty’s service 58 Coastal shopper 62 Ship to shore: A new retail experience 64 Sail Arthur Ransome’s Nancy Blackett 66 The Essex Way – events for the family to enjoy 68 Holiday ideas to broaden your horizons 77 See life: keeping our coastal wildlife safe 83 Marinas & Moorings around the coast 87 Snettisham Beach Sailing Club 88 Get started in watersports with the RYA 91 Benfleet Yacht Club 93 Clubs on the East Coast and its rivers TheCoastalGuide 2021

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Back, better than ever Being out on the water is a real cause for celebration for the couple that operate the historic Harwich Harbour Ferry

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he ferry service that has linked the three communities of Harwich, Shotley and Felixstowe for more than 100 years came to an abrupt end last September when the vessel was wrenched from its mooring at Ha’penny Pier.

The boat – previously a lifeboat on the SS Canberra – sustained extensive damage when she was pounded against a pontoon as gale force winds battered the coast. Luckily, however, she did not sink, though large sections of her port side were affected, her engine was flooded and all her electronics systems were lost.

The incident was a massive blow for owners Chris and Lucy Zemann, who took over the business in 2015 and had already – like so many other firms – been forced to ride out the financial storms associated with last year’s Covid-19related closures.

An estimated 30,000 people use the ferry every year, and local people were quick to respond to the news reports and photographs of the stricken vessel. A crowdfunding campaign raised a reported £12,000 and that, added to an insurance pay-out and the Zemann’s own money, has resulted in the successful repair of

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the vessel and the restoration of its daily crossings of Harwich Harbour.

Lucy explains: “We were devastated and shocked initially. We’d worked so hard in the season to protect the business from Covid disruptions, not to mention all the substantial maintenance work that we carry out on the ferry every year to keep her at her best. Very quickly though, we realised we needed to kick into proactive mode. We know how important the service is to the local communities as well as to us personally, so we had to save her. We were overwhelmed by all the messages of support and the call for customers to donate. These generous donations along with profits were added to the insurance pay-out, allowing us to complete repairs.”

The work was carried out by the Zemanns and a team of specialists along with the in-house experts at Suffolk Yacht Harbour. “Before SYH could carry out their extensive fibreglass work, the main urgency was to preserve the flooded engine and replace all necessary parts to ensure it would be saved,” explains Lucy. “We then spent days stripping back all the damaged parts

The team behind the ferry service also operates Seal Watching Harwich, which gives passengers a chance to get up close to the thriving seal population of the Walton Backwaters and the Hamford Water Nature Reserve.

This is an area of tidal creeks, mudflats, islands, salt marshes and marsh grasslands, viewed best by boat. It’s a popular place among yacht and motorboat owners, who enjoy a night or two at anchor with only the local wildlife for company.

Up to 250 harbour and grey seals have taken up residence here – a healthy breeding population that has risen from only five in 1986. It is also an internationally important breeding ground for Little Terns, a wintering ground for dark-bellied Brent Geese, wildfowl and waders, and communities of coastal plants which are rare in Britain. A seal watching trip lasts for 90-120 minutes, and sightings are guaranteed – if you don’t see seals close up, you get a free trip!

For more on seals around the East Coast, see p77.

• www.sealwatching.co.uk

of the boat and replacing 300m of electrical cables throughout. We replaced the dashboard, whilst also repairing the smashed buoyancy chambers and bilge, which were damaged by a fire extinguisher that had made its way into the bilge during the storm. We then replaced all the cracked and buckled floor ready for SYH to begin their part of the repair: fibreglassing the floor and damaged hull. They also fabricated new heavy-duty steel keels. French Marine Motors fabricated and fitted the propeller and stern gland. SYH allowed us to continue with our part of the repair while they did their work – we fitted new windows which were supplied by Houdini Marine, and sanded and painted the whole vessel.

JP Metalworks perfectly repaired the damaged gangway (we took the opportunity to widen the doorway at the gangway end, which will help when we carry bikes on and off at Felixstowe) and fabricated a new engine hood – we needed to replace it, so decided to improved its soundproofing at the same time. Last – but by no means an easy feat – was setting up all the systems including the onboard Wi-Fi, booking systems, card payment, ticketing, navigation and radios.

“We are so grateful to all the wonderful companies that worked very hard to help us repair the ferry. We are also really grateful to each of our own team of skilled workers who worked through a very cold winter to bring her back into service.”

The easing of lockdown this spring coincided perfectly with the return to service of the Harwich Harbour Ferry, much to the Zemanns’ delight. “It feels amazing to be back on the water,” says Lucy.

“March 29 was the date we were aiming for and luckily it coincided with the easing of lockdown – it was such a relief when we completed everything just in time and got all the certification to begin service.

“We’ve got a great team working this season – some new and some seasoned crew. We are all looking forward to a really fun, sun-filled summer on the water. We can’t wait to welcome new and existing customers back on board.”

The Harwich Harbour Ferry operates a daily service (in favourable weather) from the end of October and priority boarding is offered to passengers who book online.

• www.harwichharbourferry.com

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Go wild!

Baking and swimming... they may not seem to have much in common, but boasts of achievements in both have filled social media timelines over the past year

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here’s nothing nicer than a slice of bread straight from the oven, it has to be said, but for those reluctant to commit to sourdough starter care, the world of so-called ‘wild’ or open water swimming has offered a very different sort of challenge. Once something that only the uberdisciplined might do, with indoor pools closed and all of us denied our usual freedoms during lockdown, it’s an activity that’s captured the attention of more people than ever before.

Those already caught by the wild swimming bug evangelise about its improvements to their circulation and fitness, plus the potential for boosting their immune system and mental health.

Others simply love the fact that they are, quite literally, immersing themselves in nature. Best of all, perhaps, is that all you need to get started is to be close to a lake, reservoir, river or sea… watery places we have aplenty on the East Coast.

Advanced swimmers ‘go wild’ wearing just a pair of trunks or a swimsuit, but newcomers are

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advised to splash out initially with a few essential kit items: a wetsuit, swimming hat and goggles will help you feel more comfortable in the water, swim boots and gloves to warm feet and hands, and ear plugs to protect against infections. A tow float will make you more visible to other water users – especially important if you’re swimming in a river or estuary, for example, with heavy boating traffic. Some transform a rucksack into a raft which you can tow across the water, keeping clothes, keys and other personal items with you while you work out.

The Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) is the biggest wild swimming group in the UK and its website offers a wealth of advice on how to get started and, most important of all, how to do so safely.

If you’re thinking of having a go at wild swimming this summer, the OSS offers these tips to keep yourself and others safe: • Spot the dangers – ask locals for advice, and

read local warning and guidance signs before heading into water at a new spot. Find your exit point before entering the water. Beware of underwater hazards and currents.

• Swim sober – even in small quantities, alcohol and drugs impair judgement, swimming ability and body temperature.

• Swim with others – take someone with you when you go into water, especially if you’ve not swum alone before. If something goes wrong they will be able to get help.

• Increase your exposure to open water gradually – enter the water slowly, taking your time to get used to the temperature.

• Don’t jump in – check for depth and hazards, and get used to the water temperature.

• Watch children at all times – find a safe area for them to play in and stay alert: it’s easy for them to fall and get into difficulty, and even shallow water can cause problems.

• Swim at lifeguarded beaches – if you’re new to

swimming outdoors, or inexperienced at longdistance swimming, stick to lifeguarded beaches and obey the flags. If you get into trouble, signal for help by raising an arm or leg. Beware of waves, tides and currents, which will be affected by wind and weather conditions.

• Recognise the signs of drowning – contrary to popular belief, people who are drowning are usually silent. If you see someone in trouble, call for help – dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coastguard, or the Fire and Rescue service when at any inland waterside location. Don’t put yourself at risk trying to save a swimmer in difficulty. Find something buoyant you can throw to help keep them above the water.

• Learn how to spot a rip tide – if you get caught in one, stay calm. Swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore. If you can stand, then wade, don’t swim. Raise your arm or leg and call for help. » • www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com

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loat to live is the prime message of the RNLI’s Respect The Water campaign, which aims to reduce drowning on the coast. Average UK sea temperatures are just 12°C and rivers such as the Thames are colder, even in the summer, so it’s important to understand that anything below 15°C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement.

Cold water shock causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, increasing the resistance of blood flow. Heart rate is also increased. As a result the heart has to work harder and your blood pressure goes up. Cold water shock can therefore cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy.

Test the water

For thirteen years Great Swim has provided tens of thousands of swimmers with exhilarating, challenging and safe open water swimming events. Last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid-19, but the John West Great East Swim is back for 2021 and takes place at Suffolk’s Alton Water in June, with distances ranging from 250m to 10k.

Ideal for new or nervous swimmers, families, and children aged eight and over, the shorter courses offer an opportunity to – literally! – test the water and get a feel for swimming in the great outdoors.

Each swimmer pays an entry fee, wetsuits are compulsory and fully trained water safety kayakers, lifeguards and boats will monitor entrants all the way around the course so that everyone is in safe hands.

Last year’s event was cancelled and this year’s will follow strict Covid-secure procedures, ensuring the safety of participants, spectators and Great Swim crew. Numbers are limited, and places must be booked via the website. www.greatswim.org/great-east-swim

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Sudden cooling of the skin by cold water also causes an involuntary gasp for breath. Breathing rates can change uncontrollably, sometimes increasing as much as ten times. All these responses contribute to a feeling of panic, increasing the chance of water being inhaled directly into the lungs.

This can all happen very quickly, and it takes only half a pint of sea water to enter the lungs for a fully-grown man to start drowning. Immediate medical care is vital.

If you enter water unexpectedly – for instance by falling from a boat – then it’s essential that you take a minute. The initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute so don’t try to swim straight away – instead, relax and float on your back to catch your breath. Keep calm, then call for help or swim for safety if you’re able.

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“our food speaks for itself” Suffolk Food & Drink Awards 2017 — Best International Restaurant TripAdvisor Award for Excellence 2013 – 2018

21 Market Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 4LX 01394 380055 News and menus at www.galley.uk.com

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Central, Select and Coast TheCoastalGuide 2021 magazine May-June edition A5-01.indd

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Riverside favourite reopens One of Essex’s best-loved and oldest riverside inns is open for business again following extensive restoration works

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he picturesque Ferry Boat Inn at North Fambridge has been documented as ‘a very good, substantial Public House’ since 1807, though there are records of a building having been on-site since the 16th century. Nestled beside the River Crouch, the timber-clad inn boasts a colourful and sometimes comical cast of former landlords and patrons. Now a Grade II listed building, it has welcomed travellers on foot, by horse and cart, more recently by car, bike, yacht, and – until the late 1990s – by ferry.

Yacht Havens Group, which owns and operates nearby Fambridge Yacht Haven, took over the running of the Ferry Boat Inn in 2012. After a period of closure, the inn opened its doors once more to the public as lockdown restrictions lifted earlier this year.

Major interior and exterior refurbishments have added extra space and 21st century comfort, and while the weather-boarded inn is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and drinks, there are also six refurbished bedrooms in an annexe,

available on for bed and breakfast all-year-round.

Visitor pontoon berthing is available at the Yacht Station just a short walk away, and for those who wish to explore further, a 17-mile coastal path follows the River Crouch with views of mudflats and salt marshes which are home to a variety of wildlife. The neighbouring Blue House Farm Nature Reserve is an area internationally important for wildlife and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Visitors without their own boats can enjoy the River Crouch by taking a trip on board Kitty – a Thames Sailing Barge dating back to the 1800s, originally built to transport grains and flour from London to Essex – which offers river cruises from the Yacht Station.

• www.ferryboatinnessex.com

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Onboard breakfast, lunch, supper or dinner* cruises using the very best local Suffolk produce.

Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, family outings, corporate entertainment or office parties. Year round sailing. info@rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk www.rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk For further information, please ring Kris or Craig on 07831 698 298 . 01473 558 712 *

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12/03/2019 13:44

Floating feast River Cruise Restaurants offers fine dining with a difference

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uffolk’s watery landscapes are as well known as its wealth of local food offerings, so a business that combines the two always had the potential to be a hit.

Add to the mix two beautiful rivers plus a family committed to customer service and you have the success story that is sister ships Lady Florence and Allen Gardiner – vessels that each offer fine dining in ever-changing surroundings.

Lady Florence is an ex-Admiralty motor fishing vessel that operates on the rivers Alde and Ore. One of over 1,000 built as supply boats during World War II she has the character and history of a fine wooden ship – you’ll even find a cosy coal fire in her comfortable saloon!

Setting off from Orford Quay from March until mid-October, Lady Florence cruises an area rich in both wildlife and history. Breakfast, lunch and supper cruises are available and many include a circumnavigation of the RSPB’s Havergate Island bird sanctuary, famous for its avocet.

Built in 1942 by the Miami Shipbuilding Corporation in Florida, Allen Gardiner is one of 20 identical boats used by the South African Air Force during World War II as air/sea rescue launches. Deployed in pairs around the South African coast, they were responsible for saving the lives of over 600 survivors from the 153 ships sunk by German U-boats and surface craft off that coast during the war.

Today Allen Gardiner enjoys a rather more sedate life, offering breakfast, lunch, sunset and candlelit dinner cruises on the River Orwell.

Sailing all year round – including Christmas Day – from Fox’s Marina, the vessel passes beneath the impressive Orwell Bridge and along one of the prettiest rivers in eastern England, ultimately turning for home at the Port of Felixstowe where passengers will catch sight of the former HMS Ganges Naval Training School at Shotley, and Harwich Pier.

Both boats are available for exclusive private charter, while individuals who book independently will share the experience with others – each vessel carries a maximum of 12 passengers. The price for a three-hour cruise is £23.50 per person, payable at the time of booking, and food and drink is an extra to be paid on board, with two courses from £19.95 and three courses from £22.95.

The family behind the River Cruise Restaurants business has roots in both Durban and Suffolk, so it’s no surprise that among the freshly-prepared dishes served aboard Lady Florence and Allen Gardiner, some have a South African slant.

A fully stocked bar is always available, and the small but comprehensive wine list also includes a fine selection of South African wines imported directly by the boats’ owners.

• www.rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk

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Great food in a fabulous location!

Woolverstone Marina & Lodge Park, Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1AS 01473 780909

www.thelochandquay.co.uk

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A warm welcome

After a first year full of pandemic-related disruptions, it’s full steam ahead at last for one of Suffolk’s newest restaurateurs

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arch 2020 wasn’t the best time for a new-tothe-business landlord to launch his riverside bar and restaurant, but boat owner John Delaney and his team at the Loch & Quay in Suffolk weathered the storms of the pandemic and were widely praised for their determination to succeed in the most difficult of times.

John, a berth holder at MDL’s Woolverstone Marina and Lodge Park, took over the lease of the on-site hospitality business there in late 2019.

After extensive renovations and refurbishment works, he was all set to open just as the first lockdown was announced, so it wasn’t until some months later that John could finally welcome customers for socially-distanced drinks and dining overlooking the River Orwell.

Introducing a takeaway and delivery service

kept the business afloat – and its staff in employment – over the winter lockdown, and now the Loch & Quay has fully opened once more, with additional outdoor space and lots of new introductions inside, including a wall of pizza ovens and a wide-ranging menu to satisfy every appetite from breakfast until bedtime.

The takeaway service continues over summer and is particularly popular with John’s fellow berth holders, visiting boatsmen and guests holidaying in the Lodge Park which lines the entrance to Woolverstone Marina.

The Loch & Quay is open to the general public too… if you haven’t visited before, prepare to be impressed by its unrivalled views over the river – the sunsets can be spectacular!

• www.thelochandquay.co.uk

Festival fun Now in its twelfth year, the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival features an ever-increasing team of local food and drink producers who grow, rear, produce, supply and sell food in the region.The festival takes place in the Walled Garden at Holkham Hall on September 2-4 this year and visitors can expect stallholders offering products including fresh meat and game, vegetables, cakes, artisan beer, bread, tarts, juices, cakes and bakes, chocolates and more. Concessions will offer delicious food to enjoy on site, and entertainment will range from an ever-popular cookery theatre to children’s activities and face painting.

•www.northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk A celebration of Suffolk’s best local produce and producers, the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival is scheduled to take place on September 25-26 this year. The event takes place in the beautiful setting of Snape Maltings, next to the River Alde and close to the Suffolk coast, where reed-covered marshlands stretch into the distance towards Aldeburgh. With over 100 food and drink producers from Suffolk – many from just a few miles away – all gathered to sell their produce including raw milk, organic vegetables, sourdough bread, award-winning beer and spirits and delicious streetfood. Family-friendly, the festival offers free tickets for under 15s and, aside from the array of local produce, it has two cookery demonstration stages hosting visiting and local chefs.

•www. aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

First-class facilities for all Woolverstone Marina features a luxury lodge park amid a glorious riverside setting

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Woolverstone Marina’s luxury lodges accommodate up to eight guests. Some have hot tubs and, in all, modern open plan living areas are complemented by free WiFi.

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oolverstone Marina is set in 22 acres of glorious parkland overlooking the picturesque River Orwell. It is part of MDL Marinas, Europe’s leading marina operator, which has 19 sites across the UK. The marina also features an on-site luxury lodge park, specially designed to extend Woolverstone Marina’s appeal as a destination for both on-water and land leisure pursuits, as well as attracting new visitors seeking a family-friendly retreat.

Kelly Sharman, Woolverstone Marina Manager, says: “The lodges are ideal for those looking for a taste of the outdoors with a touch of luxury. With their clean, modern aesthetic and open plan living space, they provide accommodation for up to eight guests. Some lodges have hot tubs, and all of them have spacious living and dining areas and woodland balconies plus free Wi-Fi, multi-channel TV and the latest appliances. Currently we have 15 lodges, but this number will be increased during the year due to popular demand.”

The marina has 235 berths, first-class facilities including electric vehicle charging, and boatyard facilities for boat repairs or maintenance work. There is ample storage ashore plus yacht stores and undercover mast storage. In addition, Woolverstone offers the best swinging mooring package available on the Orwell with multiple benefits including a water taxi service.

Woolverstone is a family-friendly destination for leisure pursuits both on the water and on land

Lifting facilities are available, alongside a wide, easy-access slipway and ample space for car parking and trailer storage. There is also a main Volvo Penta dealer on-site, and an electronics and engineering specialist, plus a broker, sail and cover maker and camping wcompany.

“Visitors can enjoy a great range of watersport activities, including an RYA-accredited sailing school for both sail and powerboat courses,” adds Kelly. “For those who like to keep their feet firmly on dry land there is a children’s play area and beautiful walks and cycling trails that are suitable for all ages. The Loch & Quay bar and restaurant, which is open to berth holders, visitors and the public, is a wonderful place to relax and unwind, with stunning views out across the water.”

Woolverstone is an excellent base for cruising as well as enjoying the local rivers. Beyond the Orwell and the Stour there are numerous creeks in the Walton Backwaters to explore. To the south, the Colne and Blackwater estuaries offer varied sailing, while turning north takes you along the coast to the River Deben, where leisure sailors can cruise upriver past Ramsholt to the pretty town of Woodbridge. A little further up the coast is the Ore/Alde River, where a fast tide sweeps past Havergate Island, on to picturesque Orford and then to Aldeburgh.

If you’d like to go further afield, Ostend in Belgium is only 92 miles from Woolverstone, whilst Holland and France are also within easy reach.

Woolverstone Marina, Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1AS 01473 780206 woolverstone@mdlmarinas.co.uk www.woolverstonemarina.co.uk @MDLWoolverstone woolverstone.marina

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BROKERAGE NEWS

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At Precious Marine we charge a guaranteed fixed fee of £1,500 plus VAT for boats from £28,000 to £99,000, and £2,000 plus VAT for boats above £100,000. PLUS a special fixed fee of £800 plus VAT for boats fetching £15,000 to £20,000 and below Sell your boat with us and we’ll offer: • Personalised advice on your boat’s price and presentation* • High quality photography* • Accompanied viewings on your behalf* PLUS: • International & UK market-leading dedicated internet marine search engines • Professional adverts • Sales negotiation w• Sale and Purchase contracts • Bill of Sale • Title paperwork checks • Financial transaction via our Barclays Client Account *Our boat visit and viewing arrangement currently applies to vessels within a reasonable travel area of any of our offices or local brokers around the country. For international or distant brokerage, we will send you the client and you conduct the viewings.

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Paddle power Inflatable kayaks give everyone the chance to get on the water. Here’s what you’ll need to have a go...

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oung or old, just about everyone ‘gets’ paddling: the marvel of gliding effortlessly across the water, marked only by the gentle splish-splosh of your paddle slapping the surface.

But not everyone has the space to store, the means to transport or the strength to carry a solid plastic ‘hardshell’ kayak or canoe. An inflatable kayak (IK), on the other hand, slips into a backpack or boot of a car, inflates in minutes and is more resilient than most think. And it’s easier to paddle than an inflatable SUP board.

“Paddling is an exhilarating and low-impact way of enjoying the outdoors,” says Chris Scott, author of Inflatable Kayaking: A Beginner’s Guide.

“It’s now a booming industry: one of the many life-enhancing recreational activities we’ve come to value more since the coronavirus outbreak of 2020,” he explains. “Inflatable kayaking delivers the same health and wellbeing benefits as walking or cycling, and you can make it as relaxing or intrepid as you like.”

Here, Chris offers advice on some of the most important considerations for first-time IK buyers and users…

Kayak or canoe?

In the UK the word ‘canoeing’ is widely used to describe kayaking, but these are different boats.

Traditionally, a kayak is a long, slim boat powered by a solo paddler using a two-bladed paddle. It sits low in the water to dodge the wind and gain stability, and a deck helps seal the paddler in so waves won’t swamp the boat.

Canoes are slower, wider, load-carrying boats native to Canadian rivers. Paddlers sit on benches working single-bladed paddles. Canoes are undecked and aren’t suited to sea conditions, nor can a sea kayak manage rapids or bulky loads.

Inflatable kayaks blur this distinction by usually being open like a Canadian canoe but paddled kayak-style. For first-timers this is a big attraction: getting in is easy – even from deep water – and steering with a kayak paddle is easier to master. Fears of entrapment are reduced and it’s more agreeable to be sat in the fresh air, not sealed in a plastic tube. For these reasons IKs were popular river rentals in Europe and North America before heavy, plastic Sit-on-Tops (SoTs) and SUP boards came on the scene.

Since the 1960s’ boom in recreational paddling, canoes have looked pretty much the same, but IKs and hardshell kayaks have evolved and specialised: short, agile whitewater playboats; easy-to-use SoTs; do-it-all river, lake and coast tourers; sleek expedition sea kayaks and longer tandems. As elsewhere, technology »

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has made materials stronger, lighter, more durable and cheaper, but at the extreme ends of the activity, be it gnarly whitewater or big sea crossings, hardshell sea kayaks have the edge, while a good IK can easily match the technical abilities of a Canadian canoe, except payload.

Size & weight

IKs range from just 2.4m playboats up to tandems or sea kayaks exceeding 5m. Boats with a longer waterline are faster, track better and are more spacious. An IK of over 3.6m has room for a second adult.

Nothing is more off-putting than a tippy boat, but because each side of a tubed IK is some 20-30cm in diameter, IKs are wide and stable

which reassures beginners. You can get used to some tippiness and a kayak that initially feels wobbly may not actually roll over. Because of their ‘family-friendly’ profile, some recreational IKs (particularly US brands) go all out to avoid tippiness, which makes them slower.

In my experience, even in rough water an 80cm wide boat will fill up long before you get tossed out, and yet side-tube IKs up to a metre wide are common. If you’re just paddling about, width won’t matter. If all-day or overnight paddles are on your agenda, think about width.

Freeboard is the height between the water and the top of the sides. A loaded sea kayak has a few inches because, like an iceberg, it carries most of its mass below the water. Buoyant IKs sit mostly

Essential paddling gear

British Canoeing’s advice is to always wear a PFD, or personal flotation device. No matter what boat you’re in, the shock of cold water can disable you and if you’re careless, your IK can quickly blow out of reach. Nervous beginners, as well as anyone on a remote lake, at sea or tackling whitewater (where other safety gear is needed), would be a fool not to wear a PFD, especially in less than balmy weather.

One reason PFDs are dutifully bought but not worn is that the cheapest ones feel like a polystyrene waistcoat. So spend from £60 upwards on a PFD that’s the right size and rating for you and your weight, looks and feels good to wear, adjusts easily, has at least one pocket and even a back pouch for a water hydrator. Front zips

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are more versatile than pull-overs, and clips keep the vest closed even with the zip open.

Where paddles are concerned, for short hops anything resembling a double-ended plastic shovel will work. Then one day someone lends you their snazzy carbon fibre paddle and you get it.

Just spending £100 will greatly enhance and improve your paddling. The range of options is baffling: single piece or multisection; overall length; blade design, shape and surface area; blade and shaft material; shaft diameter as well as straight or bent; plus various joining mechanisms which also vary the blade angle and even the shaft’s overall length. Toggling all the variables ought to meet your needs.

above the water. This stops bigger waves lapping into the open cockpit but, like a Canadian canoe, makes the boat more susceptible to wind. On open water (lakes, sea), wind is what holds light and buoyant IKs back.

Once gliding on the water, weight magically falls away, but getting there or portaging (carrying your IK) around locks can be another matter. A vinyl cheapie can weigh as little as 6kg, but expect around 13kg for a long solo and up to 18kg for a spacious double. Don’t forget there’s a lot of other clobber involved, so a boat over 20kg may be a struggle to manage alone out of the water.

IKs have maximum payload ratings on a certification label. An IK can’t sink, but aim not to exceed 80 per cent of that figure.

Safety first

The real dangers of IKs are, not as some think, popping like a balloon as they brush past some brambles. The perils are common to all paddlers: losing control of, or contact with, your boat due to strong currents, unanticipated hazards or unmanageable winds, then not having the gear or skills to get out of a fix.

On a river, currents combined with hazards like weirs, fallen trees or, of course, thundering rapids are what get you in trouble. On open water it’s the wind and resultant waves, and in tidal »

Are you sitting comfortably?

• If you start to tackle longer trips and more challenging conditions you’ll learn the value of a comfortable and well-supported posture, the key to which is the seat. Most IK seats are removable, so improvement or replacement is easy and can be worthwhile, even on the most expensive boats. Most seats are one-piece base and backrest, either all-inflatable or moulded EVA foam. The base wants to be as soft as a pillow so a partially inflated cushion is ideal.

Different pressures also allow you to vary the height a little and keep you above any water swilling around the floor.

Backrests need to be clipped onto the boat’s sides but, unless they’re stiff drop-stitch, regular inflatable backrests offer poor support.

• Not everyone sees their value, but footrests help connect you with the boat and stop you sliding forward to maintain a good, upright posture.

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waters you can add currents too.

The safety equipment you need will vary with your plans and your attitude to following advice, but besides your wallet and keys, it’s especially wise to have: • Buoyancy vest (PFD) • Charged phone in a waterproof case • Weather forecast (and tide times) • Watch, GPS and compass • Waterproof bag or case • Appropriate clothing for the day and route • Inflation pump and repair kit • Mooring line to use as a paddle leash • Pump or bailing jug for open water • Map or route plan • Drinking water and snacks

The wind

On open water, be it big lakes, remote lochs or the coast, the direction and strength of the wind dictates whether it’s wise to go kayaking. In my experience anything forecast above 10mph (Force 3; a ‘gentle breeze’ on the Beaufort Scale) requires some commitment and if blowing offshore (ie from land out to sea), stay ashore.

Ten mph doesn’t sound much, but gusts are typically half as strong again. In the UK the perennial south-westerly from the Atlantic blows fairly steadily. A drier easterly from the continent

Kayak care

Rinse and dry your IK before storage to prevent mildew, odour and general decay, especially with salt water. Some IKs wipe down and dry in minutes and that’s all the time and energy you may have to spare after a good day out. Other boats, including many cheaper shell and bladder IKs with porous nylon shells, can take days.

Don’t underestimate this. If you don’t have the space to store a hardshell, chances are room to dry an IK will be tight too.

Every year cheaper boats are ruined by being left on a sunny riverbank and suffering what NASA might call ‘explosive

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can be much more irregular and gusty.

By the time a headwind hits 20mph you’re moving at 1mph and have some digging to do. It takes a fit paddler to keep this up for more than half an hour. Wind speed can be hard to judge without experience or a pocket anemometer, but once whitecaps start appearing on wave crests it may be time to head ashore. In still conditions on flat water, an IK can average 3-4mph; a gentle backwind helps. But add waves of up to a metre high – possible even on lakes – and it starts to feel a bit sketchy. Battling a headwind can be quite satisfying: you knuckle down and inch towards your goal. Strong sidewinds and tailwinds can be harder to manage.

Inflatable Kayaking: A Beginner’s Guide, is by Chris Scott and published by watersports specialist, Fernhurst Books, price £10.99. A travel adventurer and writer, Chris has also developed the leading website, www.inflatablekayaksandpackrafts. com, which averages 1,000 visits a day. If you’re thinking of taking up the sport, you’ll be in good company – British Canoeing reported a 40 per cent rise in members in 2020, many of whom expressed an interest in IKs. • www.fernhurstbooks.com

decompression’. Or, it wasn’t so hot but the boat was over-inflated.

The results are the same. Without the cooling effect of water, air in the tubes quickly heats up and expands until a bladder bursts or the shell rips apart.Pressure release valves (PRVs) avoid this, but only some IKs have them. Round side tubes handle pressures better but can get hot, even on the water. On hot days give them a splash, lower the pressure or leave your boat in the shade. If you release some pressure, remember to top it up once your boat is back in the water.

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A capital idea Everyone can enjoy the exhilaration of offshore sailing thanks to a new round-Britain race

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overage of the Vendée Globe and America’s Cup entertained TV and online audiences around the world as they waited for winter and the worst of the pandemic to pass. The thrills and spills of both events undoubtedly boosted interest in on-the-water adventures among those who have yet to experience the exhilaration of offshore sailing too... an opportunity now open to all, courtesy of an Essex sailing school.

Premier Sailing, which operates from Fambridge Yacht Haven, launches its inaugural round-Britain race, The Capitals Race, this August, with three identical yachts racing over four stages between the four capital cities of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

After a grand departure from the landmark St Katharine Docks in London, the vessels will travel up the east coast to Edinburgh, navigate the Hebridean islands to Belfast, take on the Atlantic waters around the Irish coast to Cardiff, then finish with a run along the south coast and back to London.

Premier Sailing Principal Colin Stracey calls it ‘a race like no other’ and says: “There is

already a race around the world – it’s an amazing experience, but has a high cost in terms of finance and time. There is a need for a shorter and less expensive option, and that is the gap we wish to fill. Our crews, guided by their professional skippers, will have full involvement in sailing their Sigma 38. They will see the ever-changing coastline, the stunning Cape Wrath, the beautiful west coast of Ireland, the challenging Irish Sea, dolphins of the Bristol Channel and the Seven Sisters.”

The fun starts on August 6 with a dinner to celebrate the start of the first stage. Next morning there will be time for the teams to prepare the boats before, at 3pm, Tower Bridge opens to let the boats pass under. After the statutory 30 minutes in the Pool of London, the bridge will reopen and the three yachts will process under the bridge and set off for Queenborough in Kent.

The following morning each team will cross the official start line at Southend Pier.

“No previous sailing experience is required,” says Colin, “as our fully-qualified RYA instructors will skipper each part of the voyage. The Capitals »

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Race is split into four legs and customers can take part in as many legs as they wish. However, there is an amount of compulsory training needed for every participant – this is made up of three weekends and includes water activities such as using spinnakers, sea survival at the Underwater Film Studio, and safety training.”

• www.premiersailing.co.uk

The Capitals Race is not the first round-Britain event organised by Premier Sailing – the Essex-based business is staging its annual Sail4macmillan Round Britain Cruise once more this year. Eighty-four participants will be involved in all, as three vessels travel for seven weeks and raise much-needed funds for a charity close to the hearts of the Stracey family.

Colin explains: “On a Saturday evening in November 2013 James, our son, went to hospital with stomach ache. Later, the surgeon would comment that he was surprised that James had managed to ‘walk’ into A&E. James underwent lengthy, emergency surgery and woke up to the unexpected diagnosis of bowel cancer with secondary tumours on his liver.

“James has since undergone several major surgeries and chemotherapy treatment programmes and is currently undergoing chemo to shrink cancer cells present in his stomach.

“During times of treatment, as well as remission, Macmillan Cancer Support has been there for him, providing support in so many aspects of his life, making this cancer journey that little bit easier... and that little has made a lot of difference.”

Premier’s Sail4macmillan Round Britain events have raised over £23,000 so far for Macmillan Cancer Support. The pandemic forced the cancellation of 2020’s cruise, but this year’s promises to be the most successful yet.

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South coast challenges There’s an exciting weekend of competition in store for those who’d like to venture further afield this summer

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he world-famous Round the Island Race (RTIR) celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and, with so many high-profile events having been cancelled, it’s tipped as one of the biggest events to be staged since the UK’s first lockdown in 2020.

Organised by the Island Sailing Club, RTIR has always been one of the UK’s largest participation sporting events – it regularly attracts over 1,500 boats and thousands of sailors – and this year takes place on Saturday July 3.

One of the unique attractions of the event is its even-handedness and the opportunity for amateurs, families and club sailors of all ages to compete on the same course as Olympic and World champions.

While the majority of crews simply enjoy the challenge of getting all the way round there will, however, be many aiming to beat the existing course records. The current monohull record continues to be held by Mike Slade on ICAP Leopard, who in the near-perfect conditions of 2013 posted an elapsed time of three hours, 43 minutes and 50 seconds. The multihull class, introduced in 1961, generally achieves even faster times, as shown in 2017 when Ned Collier Wakefield’s Concise10 flew round in just two hours, 22 minutes and 23 seconds.

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Rob Peace, Rear Commodore for Sailing, ISC says: “The Island Sailing Club are delighted to launch the 2021 Race. Sailors are desperate to get back out on their boats, and our race is perfectly timed and definitely provides a unique and thrilling experience for all of the crews. Over the past 90 years approximately 500,000 sailors and 70,000 boats have been challenged by this race – those are some impressive statistics.”

The ethos of a ‘Race for All’ continues at pace this year with the first Windeler Cup competition to set sail after the main fleet departs from Cowes, allowing small keelboats – which are too small to safely participate in the main event – to experience an exciting Solent Race.

Instead of sailing the full 50-nautical mile course of RTIR, boats from the Daring, Dragon, Etchells, Flying Fifteen, Mermaid, Redwing, Sunbeam, Swallow, Sonar, Squib, RS Elite, Victory and XOD classes will compete in a ‘Round the Solent’ race. The race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes after the main Round the Island fleet is under way. It will follow a course towards Hurst Narrows, around Western Solent marks, before taking advantage of favourable tides to return along Cowes beach and finish back on the RYS line in Cowes.

The new race is named after the founder

of RTIR, Major Cyril Windeler, who 90 years ago decided there should be an opportunity for owners of smaller yachts to enjoy a ‘bigger than usual’ competition. He presented the Island Sailing Club with a magnificent trophy called the Gold Roman Bowl which was to be awarded to the overall winner of the race.

It was not until the outbreak of World War II that Major Windeler finally won the trophy, sailing his 7 Ton auxiliary cutter Kaliste to victory.

Over the last nine decades competitors have battled to win the ultimate prize of the Gold Roman Bowl, with some saying that with the right conditions any boat could win it.

Spectators will be able to enjoy a fantastic view of all the action from many points on the Isle of Wight’s breathtaking coastline and, to comply with Covid-19 guidelines, the organisers are working with Visit Isle of Wight to produce a comprehensive guide to the best ‘fresh air’ viewing spots with associated public transport, parking, facilities and refreshment information.

RTIR continues to support and fundraise for its official charity, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, which focuses on rebuilding confidence of young people after cancer, through sailing and adventure.

• www.roundtheisland.org.uk

The RTIR weekend is this year being extended to welcome competitors from other watersports worlds, who will enjoy their own competition on the days leading up to the main sailing race.

Five or more rowing teams will set off on the afternoon of Thursday July 1 in their ocean rowing boats, circumnavigating all 50 nautical miles around the Isle of Wight in a bid to be the fastest. Their offshore rowing boats will be similar in shape to the airdropped boats that were designed by the late Isle of Wight local Uffa Fox, and used in WWII to save downed pilots afloat in the sea. Rowed by a mixture of doubles or fours they have wave-piercing bows, a cabin forward and aft and three rowing positions midships.

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East Coast endurance test The Isle of Sheppey circumnavigation pits sailors against all types of sea, estuary and river conditions

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he East Coast’s own Round the Island Race is due to take place on September 4-5 when the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club hosts its endurance event – at 40 miles it’s the UK’s longest annual dinghy, catamaran and board race and not to be confused with other ‘24-hour’ races which allow for a change of helm and crew.

Sailed clockwise around the island, the race was established in 1959 and starts and finishes at Sheerness. It includes tidal sea, river and estuary

sailing – larger dinghies and multihulls have to be stopped, heeled over and walked under the inner span of the lifting road bridge at Kingsferry.

The race is open to all classes of dinghy, catamaran and sailboard. Typical passage times are between three and 10 hours – current course records are one hour 52 minutes for multihulls, two hours 17 minutes for monohulls and two hours 34 minutes for sailboards.

• www.iossc.org.uk

Three Rivers Race

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hat ‘s known as ‘Europe’s toughest inland sailing race’ celebrates its diamond anniversary on June 5-6 this year. The course of this Horning Sailing Club event covers over 50 miles and three different rivers – the Bure, Ant and Thurne – and sees competitors having to lower masts to navigate three bridges at Potter Heigham and Acle. Each has up to 24 hours to complete the course.

• www.3rr.uk

North West Norfolk Week

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ffering close racing at a different location every day, this family-friendly event is due to take place on July 24-31. Organised by all the clubs in the area, a near-unique feature is the variety of sailing on offer: Hunstanston and Snettisham Beach SCs are in the Wash and offer large open sea courses, while The Ouse Amateur Sailing Club offers tidal river racing, and the largest coastal salt marshes in the world stretch between Brancaser Staithe and Blakeney. Daily and weekly trophies mean there’s something for all and the facilities offered by host clubs are as varied as the sailing itself.

• www.norfolkweek.co.uk

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Clacton Air Show

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lacton celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, so it’s especially exciting that the spectacular Clacton Airshow returns in 2021. The Essex town’s award-winning seafronts and west greensward will once again be transformed into a fun-filled site and flight viewing area for the displays which take place on August 26-27. In previous years, crowds of around 250,000 visitors gather to watch impressive aerobatic displays and historic fly-pasts. In good conditions, a huge number of sailing and motor yachts anchor off the beach too, their crews enjoying a unique view of the aerial action. The year 1871 is seen as the founding of modern Clacton, as it was in this year that a group of businessmen built the Pier and Royal Hotel to spark the creation of a new holiday resort; the town was officially incorporated in 1872.

• www.clactonairshow.com

Burnham Week

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he region’s ‘most challenging and friendly’ regatta, Burnham Week attracts a full range of sailors including national champions and beginners with cruisers, one designs, multihulls and dinghies. The sheltered waters of the Rivers Crouch and Roach and all-tide access to the Thames Estuary are the setting for a variety of courses and there’s plenty of action off the water too. This year’s event is from August 28 to September 4.

• www.burnhamweek.com

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Mersea Week

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he sheltered waters of the River Blackwater provide a fitting setting for the ‘family and friends-oriented’ Mersea Week, due to be held on August 8-13 this year. Organised by a committee of volunteers from the Dabchicks Sailing Club and the West Mersea Yacht Club – which means that competitors are welcome to use the facilities of both throughout the week – this event is one of the Essex island’s premier fixtures. Under separate organisation, the West Mersea Town Regatta is scheduled for August 28.

• www.merseaweek.org

Brightlingsea Regatta

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rightlingsea harbour and waterfront are the setting for a host of activities on July 10-11.

Dinghy and keelboat races will be run by Brightlingsea Sailing Club and Colne Yacht Club, and there will be gig races plus a Fancy Dress Stand Up Paddle Board race. Newcomers will have the chance to try sailing and powerboating, while crabbing and sandcastle competitions will keep visiting children entertained.

• www.brightlingsearegatta.com

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Nore Race

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combined open cruiser and dinghy race held each year over a 20-mile circuit of the Thames Estuary, The Nore Race starts and finishes at Southend Pier.

Benfleet Yacht Club has organised the event since the 1930s – it’s likely to have taken a break during the war years – and for many skippers and crew, it is the only race that they will compete in.

Entries usually number around 140 vessels, and include all classes of sailing dinghies and cruising yachts, both multi- and monohull.

This year’s event is due to take place on June 19, when there’ll be split start times for the dinghy and cruiser classes, with the ‘fast multihull’ dinghies completing two laps.

Once they’ve completed the circuit, competitors

often anchor and enjoy the Ray Sands before returning home on the tide.

Dinghy sailors travelling to take part in the Nore Race are welcome to use the launching facilities at Benfleet Yacht Club, but as that’s a long way from the start line, special arrangements are in place with both Thorpe Bay Yacht Club and Alexandra Yacht Club to allow those from outside the area to use their club and launching facilities.

• www.benfleetyachtclub.org

Thames Traditional Boat Festival

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he 42nd Thames Traditional Boat Festival takes place August 27-30, promising four days of family fun in the company of dozens of classic river craft and Dunkirk Little Ships.

Taking place opposite the Royal Regatta course at Henley-on-Thames, this celebration of all that’s best in British boatbuilding and craftsmanship evokes the nostalgia of boating from a bygone era and offers more attractions on the water than ever before. The event owes its origins to concerns in the 1970s over the demise of many unpowered craft, seen neglected and rotting along the river Thames. The idea of a rally, to be held annually and open to anyone, was taken up by the River Thames Society which agreed to organise an event in 1978. Over the years the Festival has welcomed the involvement of many boat clubs and societies, but the emphasis has always been on the preservation of beautiful craft, and its awards are still keenly fought for.

• www.tradboatfestival.com

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Round Canvey Race

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enfleet Yacht Club’s Coastal Rowers are an active group of rowing enthusiasts – the club has a number and variety of fixed and sliding seat coastal rowing craft available for all members to use, and many compete in major events in other parts of the UK as well as the near continent.

Keeping the action close to home, however, Benfleet Yacht Club organises the annual Round Canvey Race, a rowing, row/sail or paddle event that covers a 14.5 mile circuit of the entire coast of Canvey Island.

This annual open event was established in 2010 and an eclectic mix of vessels have competed to date: fixed seat and sliding seat row boats, surf skis, kayaks, outrigger canoes and a variety of sailing dinghies. The current time record is one hour 44 minutes – an average speed of 7.2 knots – and boats from as far away as Whitby have travelled to compete.

This year’s Round Canvey Race is due to take place on 10 July. The course includes four tidal

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barrages, there are bridges to pass under – so masts will come down – and all craft must be suitable for deep water and potentially rough conditions. Free overnight camping is available at Benfleet Yacht Club, which is on the northern shore of Canvey Island.

• www.benfleetyachtclub.org

Thames Barge Championship

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hames sailing barges are synonymous with the East Coast – flat-bottomed with a shallow draught and leeboards, in bygone days they were perfectly adapted to working the shallow waters and narrow tributary rivers of the Thames Estuary. Today those that remain are a familiar sight as they carry leisure passengers rather than cargoes, their orange canvas sails a reminder of the region’s maritime heritage. Every year a number of Thames barges compete in a series of summer races, with the vessel securing the most points being declared Champion Barge.

There are three classes of competition – Coasting, Staysail and Bowsprit – and races are held on six rivers across the region, with local sailing clubs playing host to the barges and their crews.

Dates for this year are: River Orwell, July 3 River Blackwater July 17 River Swale July 31 River Thames August 14 River Medway August 28 River Colne September 11 • www.thamesbarge.org.uk

Wroxham Week

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osted by the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, Wroxham Week features seven days of racing and a full programme of land-based evening entertainment.

Taking place from July 26-31, the regatta is open to all single- and double-handed dinghies, and is followed on August 1 by the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club Open Regatta which has racing in all classes.

• www.nbyc.co.uk

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Classic Regatta

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uffolk Yacht Harbour’s annual Classic Regatta takes place June 25-27, dates deliberately selected to fall after the government’s planned lifting of all Covid restrictions.

Founded in 2002, the SYH Classic Regatta is the largest event of its kind on the East Coast.

A three-race series takes place on Saturday and Sunday in Dovercourt Bay, Harwich Harbour, and the Orwell and Stour estuaries. On-the-water action is complemented by socialising in the on-site Haven Ports Yacht Club lightship, with a regatta party and live band on Saturday evening.

An optional addition to the schedule this year is a Friday night race on the River Orwell, which will have separate prizes to the overall regatta.

Regatta entry criteria requires yachts to be either pre-1970 design of traditional construction, Bermuda or gaff rigged and built of wood or steel.

Modern classic yachts with wooden or steel hulls are also welcome.

For the first time, classic motor yachts are also

invited to attend – SYH has a growing reputation for restoring Fairey Marine boats and it’s hoped that this event will bring together yacht owners who have a shared appreciation of traditional vessels.

SYH Managing Director Jonathan Dyke says: “We are planning for a full racing and social programme to kick-start the racing season in style. Whilst we are optimistic for a fantastic return of the regatta, we are aware things may change and we will be monitoring the situation closely. If we need to alter the onshore set-up to allow for any ongoing Covid restrictions, then our large outdoor area enables us to do so easily.”

Owner of Spirit 52 Flight of Ufford and founder of Spirit Yachts, Sean McMillan says: “There is something quite magical about racing on the East Coast. The welcome here is quite extraordinary… and the manners on the racetrack are rather wonderful. I wouldn’t miss it.”

• www.syhclassicregatta.co.uk

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Shipbuilding, Anglo-Saxon style An ambitious reconstruction project connects the region’s maritime heritage with a modern-day sense of discovery

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ith a cast of A-listers and the beautiful Suffolk landscape as its backdrop, it’s no wonder that Netflix hit The Dig won numerous plaudits within weeks of its release.

The true ‘star’ of the movie, however – an Anglo-Saxon King’s burial ship – never actually appears on-screen. It couldn’t, because after laying hidden underground in the Sutton Hoo royal burial ground since the 7th century, all that remained when it was discovered in 1939 was the imprint it had left in the sand.

But now, from this imprint plus British Museum archives, archaeological records, 3D computer modelling and other techniques, experts have been able to create scale models of how the King’s ship would have looked, and to understand how it was built. And all this has enabled work to begin on a full-size 90ft replica which, once complete, will slip once more into the water.

It’s a venture that brings together archaeologists, historians, experts in construction and shipbuilding and many other skilled volunteers, and has given birth to The Sutton Hoo

Ship’s Company (SHSC). And it’s fitting that the work of this registered charity is taking place at The Longshed in Woodbridge – a town with a rich boatbuilding heritage, directly across the River Deben from the original ship’s burial site.

The work is not without complications, however. When it was first excavated, for example, the ship was lying a few degrees off horizontal, which made the shape in the sand asymmetrical. And, because of the way in which it was buried, the ship was ‘broken backed’ rather than having a natural curve to the keel.

Reconstructing the ship will take about three years and involve many steps, from turning computer specifications into workable plans, to finally finishing the oars that will be used to row it down the River Deben. The team are sticking to authentic materials and methods as much as possible, so the ship is to be built mainly from green oak – for the keel a piece 50ft long and around 12 x 8inches round is required. This is followed by shaping the stem and the stern of the boat from oak, work that includes nine planks »

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each side, the ribs, tholes for the oars to rest against, thwarts to sit on and a rudder to steer.

“Wherever possible and practical, we’re sticking to Anglo-Saxon boatbuilding techniques,” says Trustee Simon Steel. “However, in some key areas we have made the decision to do things differently. Primarily, this is in two areas: the milling of the rough keel pieces from the oak logs, and the use of copper rivets rather than attempting to use iron in some form. The milling of the log is contrary to what we believe the Anglo-Saxons would have done as there is no evidence of saws from this period. However, the value of the oak is such that we could not risk splitting the log, traditionally (as we shall for the planking), in case we failed to do so in a way

that gave us the correct pieces. We will still finish and join the keel pieces traditionally using axes and authentic joints. With the rivets the issue is two-fold: the lack of available bog-iron, which is what would have been used, and the fact that iron reacts with oak in water, meaning we would need to repair frequently. The use of copper also ensures a match in terms of weight and strength.”

It seems incredible that the whole reconstruction is based on rivet imprints found beneath the burial mound. “We worked with an amazing team at the University of Southampton under the direction of Dr Julian Whitewright to build both a 3D computer model of the rivet position and create a virtual reality version of

How you can help As work progresses and more definite plans are known the SHSC’s website will be updated and visitors will be able to watch via timelapse video. Visits to The Longshed will also be permitted, as Covid-related restrictions allow.

Public support remains vital to the project, of course, and money will be raised in a variety of ways, but the aim is for as many people as possible to be able to get involved and have their own part of this truly unique ship. Over time it will be possible to sponsor different parts of the ship, but initial fundraising efforts are concentrating on the fixings. In all, the ship needs 4308 different fixings which have been transcribed from archaeological records, and people can ‘Fund a Fixing’, or a collection of them, and in return for sponsorship will have their name on the roll of honour on the website. Sponsors will also receive a limited edition ‘Ships Company Sponsor’ pin badge and ownership card to have at home. As each fixing is added to the ship it will be recorded, so sponsors will be able to locate it in the final build.

• www.saxonship.org

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this model, allowing the viewer to step inside ‘the ship’ and gain some sensation of the scale and shape of what we are building,” explains Simon.

“From these rivet maps, the team created the plans we are now using, allowing us to stay as close as possible to the archaeological record.”

Thanks to the SHSC’s own publicity efforts and, of course, The Dig, the project has captured the attention of people around the world, and attracted a number of famous followers. “We have seen views of our YouTube channel rise exponentially from a few thousand to over 70,000, and we used this as a catalyst to launch a Crowdfunder campaign to bring additional funds to our charitable project.” says Simon. “We have had significant support both financial and with our research, from Roger Michel and his team at the Oxford Institute for Digital Archaeology, which has had a tremendous effect. And finding out that the comedian Frank Skinner is a keen supporter and sponsor was a really nice surprise – who knew? Our appearance on Escape to the Country was also a welcome surprise – Jules Hudson, the presenter on the show, grew up locally to Woodbridge and is also a trained archaeologist and an avid supporter of our project. We’ve also had interest from further afield

as Channel 9 Australia have just filmed a piece on our project, to be broadcast across Australia.”

At heart, though, this remains an experimental archaeology project; once the build is complete the ship will be launched and sea trials will commence. “Over a period of 12-24 months we aim to understand how the ship was rowed and steered, how many people it takes to propel the ship and at what speeds; the oar shapes, lengths and weights; the rudder/steering oar design and positioning; the number of crew required for longer trips or higher speed journeys – we anticipate needing in excess of a hundred trained rowing crew to allow shifts to take over on longer voyages,” says Simon.

“We need to understand what ballast requirement there is, whether there’s sufficient space to carry other goods, passengers, livestock, etc. Is it possible to easily beach and subsequently launch? We may even explore whether there was a sail, as this has been lost through the construction of the burial chamber for the king.

“Ultimately, if possible, we may also explore how the ship was hauled to the Sutton Hoo site for the burial. And as part of our experimental archaeology approach, all of this activity will be carefully and accurately recorded.”

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Ready, steady… row!

Ocean rowing may be an elite sport, but Essex is home to the world’s experts – and the starting point for an expeditions programme that encourages everyone to have a go

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urham Yacht Harbour is always a hive of activity, a-buzz with sailing and motor yachts, two RNLI lifeboats and the launches of the Essex Police Marine Unit. But in recent times it’s become RVP for a whole new class of watercraft too – one which relies on sheer grit rather than sails or an engine for making way across the water.

Local business Rannoch Adventure is largely behind the number of ocean rowing boats seen these days both on the River Crouch and further afield. Founded by Charlie Pitcher (pictured right), the company is based on the edge of town and is the go-to for anything to do with ocean and offshore rowing.

If you watched ITV’s gruelling Don’t Rock the Boat series last summer you’ll have seen Charlie – he was responsible for coaching the 12 celebrities before and during the month it took them to row the length of Britain, in boats made by Rannoch Adventure.

Charlie has sailed since he was five years old, and at 18 he was the youngest ever crew member

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to compete in the America’s Cup. But more recently his sea-going focus has shifted towards ocean rowing, and in 2009 he single-handedly beat all other solo and pairs boats to win the Woodvale Challenge Atlantic Rowing Race – a feat surpassed in 2013 when he broke the world record for the fastest unassisted solo row across the Atlantic by almost six days. Both crossings were completed, of course, in Rannoch designs.

Now Charlie and his team aim to make their sport more accessible to all, by launching a programme of Roxy Expeditions – named after the boat Rannoch RX80 – which anyone can apply to take part in.

After the last year of lockdowns, it’s fair to say that many of us are desperate to do something different, to get away from it all. But ocean rowing?

“People are searching for a new challenge, something unusual,” says Charlie. “Fewer people have rowed oceans than have climbed Everest – it is still very much a niche sport. But lockdown has

inspired many people to get in touch – they’ve had time on their hands to look for adventures and consider fulfilling their personal dreams.”

Rannoch Adventure already offers ‘taster’ sessions, so just how big a step is it to go from rowing on the River Crouch to crossing an ocean?

“Getting into rowing is easy. We really encourage anyone who’s keen just to get out on any boat and give it a go,” says Charlie.

“Converting from river rowing to ocean rowing is just a matter of how adventurous you feel; it is different rowing 24/7 on an ocean for six or eight weeks at a time to rowing for two hours on a river.

“Ocean rowing is all about endurance and it’s actually more of a mental challenge than a physical one (although physical training helps hugely!). The rowing schedule for much of the time will be 12 hours of rowing per person per day, broken into two-hour shifts. It’s a tough schedule and is mentally and physically exhausting. Living in close quarters with others

in a small vessel and unable to see land can also be emotionally challenging. This isolation is one reason why these expeditions are unique, but not necessarily suited to everyone.

“Rowing across an entire ocean under your own power is a fantastic achievement, and you will look back on the adventure with great pride.

On the way, you will overcome many challenges, physically, mentally and socially. But the memories and friendships made along the way will hopefully last a lifetime.”

That’s a sentiment echoed by all who took part in the first Roxy Expedition, which crossed from Tenerife to Antigua – a 2,600 nautical mile adventure that took 42 days – this spring. »

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With 12 on board and eight rowing positions, life over that time on the water was very much a case of row, eat, sleep and repeat. “Yes, we work a rotation of three hours on, hours hours off,” explains Charlie, “so generally we’d have six rowers rowing, six resting and eating. And if the weather is bad, we adjust the shift systems to have eight people rowing.”

With so many people living in such a confined space (as shown in the photos, right) communication, teamwork and consideration for others are key. But Charlie and his Rannoch Adventure colleagues take great care to put together the right people for each expedition.

“It is very important to us that we choose team players whose reasons for undertaking these adventures are in sync with our ethos,” he says.

“Roxy Expeditions are not about breaking records, they’re about enabling anyone to participate in this growing sport.

“Crossing an ocean on Roxy is cheaper than undertaking your own campaign, and you get the added safety net of having experienced Rannoch Adventure skippers on board.

“On this particular expedition, the youngest of the crew was just 19 and the oldest was 62.

We had six males and six females and they all got to know each other throughout their training in 2020. During the pandemic, when getting together was more challenging, we had Zoom calls and lots of WhatsApp chat and banter. The team spirit and camaraderie was fantastic and I’m sure we will all remain friends for life.”

A blog on the Rannoch Adventure website

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made it easy for those on dry land to chart the progress of the Atlantic crossing, while it’s clear from the crew’s posts that it was a life-changing event – seasickness, frequent soakings, blistered skin, sore buttocks and a bucket for a toilet notwithstanding!

Weather information was passed to the skippers on Roxy via satellite communication systems. “Two phones on board enabled crews to call home when necessary,” says Charlie.

“However, much of the ocean experience is about cutting yourself off from the world, not being in touch with it!”

Applications are now coming in for future Roxy Adventures, with the boat headed for destinations both far-flung and closer to home.

“Our round-Britain row this summer has been incredibly popular with people who are thinking of rowing an ocean but want a real taste of what life on board is like before they commit,” says

Charlie. “Each leg is just six days and you’re rarely out of sight of land. It’s a great way to try out ocean rowing and combine that with seeing the British coastline, which is one of the things I am really passionate about.

“We’re doing another Atlantic crossing in late 2021, and then the Indian Ocean in 2022 which really excites me personally – we’re taking applications for both these now. And a North West Passage is earmarked for the future.”

If you think you’re up for the challenge, the first step is to apply via email. “Tell us what sort of adventures you’ve already undertaken and why you want to row an ocean,” says Charlie. “We hold 30-minute Zoom calls with everyone, and then select our team.” Crew members can use the expedition as a way to raise funds for charity, and their place on the boat can be funded privately or by corporate sponsorship.

• www.rannochadventure.com

Dawn Wood, who rowed solo across the Atlantic in 2019, was enlisted by Charlie to co-lead this year’s first Roxy Adventure.

Blogging from the boat as it neared the final week of rowing she said: “The sense of accomplishment doing something on your own is incredible, but I have also now seen the value of teamwork and being able to ask others for help and advice.

Everyone on board has an amazing skill set to bring to the table so there hasn’t been a problem either boat- or personal-related that can’t be solved.

“Friendship is another bonus of a crew expedition – we started the journey as strangers but we are nearing the end of this adventure as life long friends. Sharing experiences has got to be one of the biggest bonuses. I saw some incredible wildlife during my solo row, but only have photos to share; this time I have others to reminisce and smile with when we think of the day a huge pod of whales came to visit us.

“This is a life-changing experience and every second of it should be enjoyed. Every person at some point on the row may have thought they could not carry on. But carry on they did.”

Elsewhere in the Atlantic blog, Roxy Adventurer Ian Kentfield wrote: “Line up three chairs by your dining room table, and now climb under your table. This space, roughly 1.5m height, 2.5m long, 1.5m wide is now home for the next 30-40 days.

“This is your kitchen, sleeping, eating, resting, storage for personal possessions, dry clothing and wet clothing. Oh, and did I mention there are three of you here at a time! At the moment I have one applying Sudocrem to various parts of his anatomy whilst I make up breakfast and another tries to sleep.

“After three hours, you can get up and sit in the chairs for another three hours, rocking backwards and forwards as though rowing. If someone can throw a bucket of water over you and try to push you over it’ll be so much more realistic. Three hours later, wet and exhausted, crawl back under the table, try to eat, and then sleep, before doing it all again.

“Row, eat, sleep, repeat. It is relentless. It is exhausting. And yet, as I prepare to go on shift at dawn on day 30, I realise that I’m looking forward to it.”

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Navigating history The Thames has played a strategic role in the nation’s past and today remains busier than ever, popular with commercial, commuter and leisure users

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he Port of London handled the most cargo of any UK port in 2020 – 47.4 million tonnes – making it a vital supply line that kept the country fed, fuelled and supplied throughout the pandemic.

Terminals on the River Thames routinely handle a diverse range of cargoes including food, fuel, building materials and UK goods for export.

But Port of London Authority chief executive Robin Mortimer, says: “Last year saw a massive collective effort across the port. Working together we kept essential supply chains running, so medicines, food and fuel arrived without delay.”

The Thames is the busiest inland waterway in the UK, of course, and also passing through the Port of London are numerous commercial and leisure craft. For sailing and motor yacht owners, cruising on the tidal Thames can be an exhilarating experience. In fact, many only consider they’ve truly ‘arrived’ once they’ve moored up in the upmarket surrounds of St Katharine Docks (left) – as central London’s only marina, it’s a great base for a few days in the capital.

A successful trip upriver from the estuary to Tower Bridge, however, relies on more than bravado and a big bank balance. Navigating safely and considerately around the large cargo

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vessels that ply their trade to and from the Port of London is a priority. Then, once you’re through the Thames Barrier, the river becomes even more busy, with tugs and tows, fast commuter ferries and day-tripping boats all sharing the same relatively narrow channel. At times the wash on the Thames can get heavy too. The steep river walls reflect, rather than dissipate, the wash so it can be particularly rough at high water during busy traffic periods: 1.2m and 1.5m wave heights

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© Port of London Authority

London VTS

are not uncommon, so vessels and their crews must be suitable for the conditions.

The Port of London Authority suggests that Thames leisure users – and first-timers in particular – plan their passage for the quieter traffic times, which tend to be either before 11am or after 6pm during the summer months.

As the tidal Thames is linked to the sea, all sailing and motor vessels need to follow the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or ‘Col Regs’. But be aware that local byelaws exist which, in some circumstances, afford priority to motor vessels, contrary to what would be normal practice at sea.

The Port of London’s website for leisure users, Boating on the Thames, offers a wealth of advice for safe navigation. Key points to remember are: • Vessels must keep as near to the starboard side of the fairway at all times, as is safe and practicable, or follow the recommended routes shown on the PLA’s Recreational Users’ Guide.

• You cannot cross from one bank to another

to tack along the river. If you are crossing the river, it is to get to a set location for a particular purpose (eg to leave or get to a mooring) and you must not tack, cross or enter the fairway so as to obstruct another vessel proceeding along it.

• You must maintain a good look-out at all times – behind as well as in front.

• If you find yourself approaching another vessel head-on, you should sound one short blast and keep to starboard.

• When entering the river from a lock, pier or berth do not cross in front of another vessel.

• At bridges, use the most starboard arch available to you provided it does not compromise your safety.

London VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) controls vessel movements on the Thames, and leisure skippers are advised to call in with details of the name of their boat, where and when they are entering the tidal Thames, their destination and the number of people on board. VTS will pass on any pertinent navigational information, such as

river or bridge arch closures, and will also route traffic through the iconic span of the Thames Barrier – contact London VTS on VHF Channel 14 at either Margaretness inward-bound, or Blackwall Point outward-bound. » • www.boatingonthethames.co.uk

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T: 01634 899200 E: chatham@mdlmarinas.co.uk W: chathammaritimemarina.co.uk

HMM Algeciras visited the Port of London in June 2020 on her maiden voyage. She was the first of a class of 12 container ships that have a capacity of 23,964 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) – the largest container ships in the world when they were launched.

© Port of London Authority

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© Port of London Authority

he Port of London has launched a free app which is it claims is the essential companion to the tidal Thames.

Available for iOS via the App Store and Android via Google Play, it offers info including: • Live tidal data from 12 locations along the 95-mile tidal river.

• Alerts for Notices to Mariners, which detail the latest information on events, engineering works and recent changes that users need to be aware of before setting off.

• An events calendar covering planned rowing, sailing and paddling activities.

• Details of all the mooring locations along the river, including amenities at each location such as mains electric, fuel, and pump-out facilities.

The app can be customised for the location you most regularly need information on, so you can choose your default tide gauge, your preferred river district and whether or not you want to see the Ebb Tide flow indicator.

The Port of London Authority was created to bring order to the chaos and congestion that prevailed on the Thames as rival wharfs, docks and river users battled for business in the late 1800s. Structural improvements were considered essential to maintain and improve the Port’s position against its leading European rivals and, after years of hot debate, the Bill that led to the creation of the PLA was introduced by David Lloyd George in April 1908, receiving Royal Assent as the Port of London Act, 1908, in December of that year.

In the years immediately after its formation, the PLA oversaw investment and modernisation of the docks, deepening of the river and brought co-ordination - and a new sense of identity - to a busy, successful Port which subsequently played its part in the nation’s efforts through two World Wars and the rebuilding that followed.

Today the PLA employs 360 people and continues in its core role, helping people make the most of the river safely whether for deep-sea trade, river- borne freight within London, commuting, sailing or rowing. Its operations cover 95 miles of river from Teddington Lock to the North Sea. If you’re in London and interested in the history of the Thames and its trade, a visit to the Museum of London Docklands at West India Quay, Canary Wharf is highly recommended The PLA archive is held here, and includes more than 600 unique record books of private dock companies from 1799, along with objects, documents, plans, photographs and film charting the development of the Port of London and the River Thames from the late 18th century, to redevelopment in the 20th century.

• www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands

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TheCoastalGuide Foxs M&C Coastal2021 Guide ad.indd

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21/04/2021 14:39

On Her Majesty’s service The Royal rowbarge is restored to full glory thanks to the craftsmanship of a River Orwell boatyard

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oat owners on the East Coast are spoilt for choice when it comes to accessing expert help with the repair and restoration of their vessels, and many of the region’s boatyards have remained busy even through the past year of pandemic-related problems.

At Fox’s Marina & Boatyard in Suffolk there’s been a VIP visitor: Her Majesty The Queen’s Rowbarge, Gloriana. The prestigious vessel travelled by road from the River Thames to Fox’s on the River Orwell for a carefully-managed refit. The work involved complete re-finishing of topsides, bottom and all exterior surfaces including the specialist application of two-pack paints, varnishes and gold leaf.

Fox’s state-of-the-art heated workshops have the capacity for vessels up to 100ft long, so at 88ft Gloriana fitted comfortably in her secure, temporary home.

Built in 2012 to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the 18-oared row barge has an

all-wood structure including fully gilded ornate carvings and bright work.

Although Gloriana was the first Royal barge built in over 250 years, her design and build replicate structures and techniques that have changed little since the clinker-built long-boats of the Viking age.

Established in 1927, Fox’s Marina & Boatyard has more than 40 highly skilled on-site craftsmen.

Together they offer specialised rigging, marine electronics, engineering, spray painting, and stainless fabrication services, as well as a wealth of experience in traditional boat building and classic yacht repairs.

The site is also home to the UK HQ of luxury yachtbuilder Oyster Yachts, and has in recent years added a £1.5m waterside office development which houses a new Harbour Master’s office, facilities for berth holders and the new Outlook Café, Bar & Bistro.

• www.foxsmarina.com

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Could this be the ‘next big thing’ in yachtie toys? Wave Jam’s electric-powered body boards offer a new way to explore on water, blasting you across rivers or through the surf. Lightweight and easy to store they’re also instant to launch – so you could be straight into the water to assist anyone in difficulty. Wave Jam 91 is £3,718 and offers 30-40 minutes of run time; super-fast charging (chargers sold separately) takes just 30 minutes to 80%, 65 minutes to 100%. www.wave-jam.uk

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At last – no more need for bottles because you’d rather not drink the water from your boat’s on board supply! Fit a Flostream water filter between the tank and tap and its cartridge will remove all major contaminants from your water, including lead and other heavy metals, chlorine and chlorine by-products, microbial cysts and other bacteria. A built-in bacteriostatic control prevents any risk of micro-bacterial growth when the water filter is not in use, and the Flostream also removes limescale, helping keep taps and sinks clean.

Simple to install with a twist-lock head and push-fit connections, two sizes are available. The Flostream Micro HiFlo10 is 390mm x 110mm diameter, delivers 10l per minute and is £90.99 plus VAT, with replacement filters priced £41.25 plus VAT. Available at chandleries – for full spec download the catalogue: www.waveinternational.co.uk

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Maritime historian Cathy Shelbourne created this deck of Monumental Maritime Heroes playing cards which comes in a presentation box, with an information leaflet and timeline for the Age of Sail. Seafarers featured include Nelson and his protégé Hoste, from Norfolk; Suffolk-born Cavendish who sailed round the world three times; and Christopher Jones from Harwich, master of The Mayflower, as well as pirates and explorers famous for opening up new routes and riches around the globe. £10 plus p&p. See ‘Shop’ at: www.seashellcommunications.co.uk

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MG Duff has been at the forefront of marine cathodic protection since the early 1950s and continues to be one of the largest suppliers to the marine market. ASAP Supplies offers an impressive range of sacrificial anodes, including the MG Duff ZD78B Straight Zinc Hull Anode, £49.94, which is suitable for use in salt waters. www.asap-supplies.com

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As more cruisers prepare for longer periods away from shore, there’s been increased demand for solar power upgrades. ASAP Supplies’ Victron Solar Panels have a sturdy, anodized aluminium frame which allows modules to be easily roof- mounted, while highest quality, high transmission tempered glass provides enhanced stiffness and impact resistance. These panels come with a 25-year limited warranty on power output and performance, and a five-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship… all at prices starting from £57.90 www.asap-supplies.com

Greek. Clear, annotated diagrams make it easy to translate general terms, such as ‘port’ and ‘starboard’, as well as technical words relating to engine and rigging repair and maintenance. Other topics include navigation, weather, seamanship, requesting help, medical emergencies, safety equipment, numbers and time – all for £9.99. www.reedsnautical.co.uk

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Developed alongside the British Sailing Team, Musto’s FlexLite Vapour range is constructed using post-consumer recycled content, and it’s the first sailing apparel on the market to use aqua-based If plans for passages abroad are on the back-burner this year, glue. Made from Ventiprene, which is four times more breathable how about using the time instead to brush up on your vesselthan traditional hard shell neoprene, the range delivers superior related language skills? Now in a handy new pocket-sized format, freedom of movement and breathability in the heat, making it ideal this illustrated boating dictionary covers all the topics and terms for high-energy dinghy sailing. Shown here is the Women’s FlexLite boaters will need to refer to when abroad in nine languages: English, Vapour 1.0 Pant, £170, and Long Sleeve Top, £140.

French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Portuguese and www.musto.com

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Named after the harbour at Southwold where coals were unloaded for centuries, Blackshore Clothing Company takes inspiration from fishermen, boatbuilders and other coastal folk. Now four years old, this proud-to-be-British clothing brand is defined by a traditional workwear aesthetic, its designs timeless and backed by a lifetime visible repair guarantee, so customers can be confident their purchases will last season after season.

County Brook Denim Slop £100, Canvas Duffle Bag £160 www.blackshore.cc

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Navigate centuries of history, cross oceans and make countless discoveries all from the comfort of your sofa with this nautical puzzle book. Packed with picture puzzles, word games, anagrams and more, it’s inspired by the National Maritime Museum’s objects and the stories behind them... a perfect gift for veteran seafarers and armchair sailors alike, and just £14.99 in hardback. www.hodder.co.uk

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Anything that helps encourage the little ones to wear a lifejacket is to be welcomed, so there’s good news from Baltic Lifejackets Sweden: its popular Skipper lifejacket now features the Swedish cartoon character Bamse, who enjoys adventures with his friends on board their sailing boat Ida. An extra-supportive collar keeps the airways clear above the water surface, should a child fall in, and the lifejacket is a fully certified to meet all requirements for safety, functionality and visibility. The Bamse Bear Lifejacket is available in sizes 3-10, 10-20 and 15-30kg and is £49.99. Available from chandleries; for more info see: www.baltic.se

Essential for anyone on a circumnavigation, handy for everyone with a sailing yacht: keep your sails in tip-top condition with these products from Classic Marine. The leather sailmakers seaming palm made by W. Smith & Son, a family business started in Redditch in 1835, is available for right- or left-hand use. £11.88 +VAT. Also from the same company, these hand-finished sailmakers needles are made from high carbon heat-treated steel. Tube of 10 size 14/18, £9.11 +VAT. Made by one of the Suffolk Yacht Harbour staff from bees in his own garden, the beeswax is used to lubricate and help a needle go through material such as leather or sail cloth. 30g block, £1.67 +VAT. Attach the hook to the edge of your work bench and use it to tension twine, rope or cotton. £6.49 +VAT. Flax polished twine is used for practical, intricate ropework. 250g spool, 1.5ml, £9.19 +VAT. www.classic-marine.co.uk

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Situated at the mouth of the River Blackwater, Essex, TSL’s natural marina provides yacht moorings, boat & mast lifts, winter storage and local access to associated services. Great for sailing too!

Benefits include; ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Hardstanding area Hauling & Launching Access to our maintenance posts Access to water and electricity Located just 15 minutes from the A12 Coded Toilet and shower block for customer use only Private parking Recycling, rubbish and chemical wash out facilities Local chandlery, tea room and other amenities

Range of half-tide berths available Join our friendly, welcoming community

Visitors welcome - find out more, visit

TSL-ONLINE.CO.UK

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Mob: 07521 318155 Tel: 01621 868113 E-mail: info@tsl-online.co.uk TheCoastalGuide 2021

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Shops… from ship to shore

A new, family-friendly leisure and retail destination has been created in Suffolk, using upcycled shipping containers

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elieved to be the UK’s first seafront ‘boxpark’, Beach Street Felixstowe is an urban-style complex just a pebble’s throw from the Blue Flag-awarded beach. Home to a variety of independent traders, Beach Street is on the south beach, next to Mannings Amusements.

Painted in vibrant colours, converted containers are already occupied by a number of traders selling products as diverse as soy wax melts and candles, Scandi-inspired fashion, coastal-themed gifts and art materials.

Food-lovers are catered for too, with outlets offering New York-style pizza, vegan fast food, burgers and sweet waffles.

More shops will open over the coming months, including a smoked fish restaurant with stunning sea views, and a yoga and holistic therapies studio.

Beach Street is a landscaped site which is wheelchair- and buggy-friendly. There’s outdoor seating in the communal area and dogs on leads are welcome.

• www.beachstreetfelixstowe.co.uk

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Sail Arthur Ransome’s Nancy Blackett

We do mean to take you to sea – or maybe just a trip down the River Orwell!

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rthur Ransome’s favourite yacht, Nancy Blackett, will be 90 this year. And remarkably, she’s still sailing –probably in better condition than ever – on the River Orwell and sometimes further afield, offering opportunities to discover the special delights of sailing a classic boat that’s also straight out of one of the best-ever sailing adventures.

Named by Ransome after one of his best-known characters, self-styled pirate Nancy Blackett of Swallows and Amazons fame, he put her into one of his most exciting books, We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea. In fact he virtually built the plot around her, as the four children – the ‘Swallows’ from Swallows and Amazons – drift out of Harwich Harbour and face having to sail her across the North Sea to Holland.

Ransome bought the 28ft four-berth cutter in 1935 when he and his Russian wife Evgenia were moving into the area, from the Lake District,

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in search of some sea sailing. He renamed her – she was called Electron when he found her in Poole Harbour – and sailed her round to Pin Mill through some atrocious weather, which helped give him the idea for the book.

Nancy is now managed by the Nancy Blackett Trust, which was set up nearly 25 years ago to look after her, following her rediscovery – derelict in Scarborough Harbour in the 1980s – and an extensive restoration.

Our aim, still, is to make her available for anyone – old, young or in-between – to enjoy a sail and experience the feel of being aboard the Goblin. Skippered cruises ensure safe sailing (no unintentional drifting out to sea!) and trips can be short, a day or half-day cruise on the Orwell, perhaps down to Harwich and back, or long, a week or a weekend, sleeping aboard and visiting London or exploring the other rivers of the East Coast. All our sailing is under the charge

espected sailor and writer Peter Willis is founder and President of the Nancy Blackett Trust, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year. His book Good Little Ship explores the themes of Ransome’s rite-of-passage novel We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea, and how it came to be writen. Part maritime history, part literary criticism – a joyous homage throughout– it’s an impeccably-researched tale of the life, neardeath, rescue and restoration of the Nancy Blackett and a thoroughly engrossing read, whether you’re a lifelong lover of Ransome’s works, or discovering them for the first time. Photographs add life to the story, while Ransome’s drawings and own account of a voyage in her – as well as brief details of his other boats – mean this is a must-have for lovers of both boats and literature.

Good Little Ship is published in paperback by Lodestar Books, £14.

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of a qualified volunteer skipper; membership of the Trust is needed, but the modest annual subscription covers the whole family – and children sail free.

If you’ve always wanted to feel the thrill of your sails harnessing the wind – or the peace of a quiet drift down the river on a summer’s afternoon – this is a safe and accessible way to do it, enhanced by the magic of experiencing it aboard a piece of maritime and literary history.

Enjoy an al fresco lunch at anchor, miles from civilisation, or the cosy atmosphere of dining in the mahogany-panelled cabin lit by oil lamps before turning into your bunk to be rocked gently to sleep.

Ransome actually wrote two books featuring the Goblin while he lived here; the second is Secret Water, set in the Walton Backwaters. He loved the area, and would sail down there in Nancy to drop anchor for a bit of peace and quiet to work on his next book.

The Backwaters may be a bit less ‘undiscovered’ now than they were in Ransome’s day, but they still have an air of mystery and isolation, with a silence punctuated only by birdsong. They’re a favourite destination for Nancy Blackett crews, and certainly will be this year.

Nancy Blackett is 28ft 6in long, plus the 10ft bowsprit. She’s been painstakingly restored to make sure she is just as Ransome would have known her, and as the Goblin is described in the book: “I say, just look down,” said Titty. They looked down into the cabin of the little ship, at blue mattresses on bunks on either side, at a little table with a chart tied down on it with string… a little white sink opposite the tiny galley where a saucepan of water was simmering on one of the two burners of a little cooking stove.

She welcomes visitors on various open days throughout the summer, at Woolverstone and elsewhere, so come and see her and find out more about how this humble Hillyard 7-tonner became one of the most famous boats in fiction. And if you’d like to sail her yourself, just join the Nancy Blackett Trust; it’s not expensive, and you can book a day-sail or a longer passage.

If you’d like to sail into ‘Secret Water’ aboard Nancy Blackett – or anywhere else on ‘Arthur Ransome’s East Coast’ for that matter – take a look at our website and get in touch. And don’t forget, children sail free!

• www.nancyblackett.org

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The Essex way The county may be steeped in history, but this year sees the comeback of two contemporary – and fun-filled – traditions

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ne of the oldest recorded towns in Essex, Maldon was once a prime target for invading Vikings, largely because of its prominence as a successful working port on the River Blackwater.

Today the town’s Hythe Quay is an attraction for rather more friendly visitors, and is bestknown as the mooring place for a number of Thames Sailing Barges, the orange-sailed beauties

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that once transported cargoes of straw and hay for city-dwelling horses.

Come summer, though, and this timeless, tranquil place becomes the setting for a more gritty spectacle: the Maldon Mud Race, an event that began in the early 1970s and involves a very muddy, low-tide dash across the bed of the Blackwater.

The tradition is said to originate from a dare, when the landlord of the Queen’s Head pub was challenged to serve a meal on the saltings of the River Blackwater, dressed in a dinner jacket. The following year about 20 people raced across the river bed, drank a pint of beer served from a bar set up on the saltings, and then hurried back across.

Now Maldon Mud Race attracts competitors, spectators and press from all over Europe.

Participants cross the short stretch of water and race along a length of the riverbed on the

opposite side, before crossing back through the river to the finish line. The number of entrants is limited to 300 for safety reasons, and those taking part range from absolute beginners in fancy dress to marathon runners and those who specialise in stamina events.

The fittest will make the crossing in five minutes but others could take hours to complete the 400 yards – the only time limit is the incoming tide.

Cancelled completely last year, this year’s Maldon Mud Race has already been moved from its usual date in May and is now scheduled to take place for the first time ever in summer, on August 15.

• www.maldonmudrace.com

The TikTok craze that transported so many people from the misery of last year’s lockdown resulted in a huge revival of interest in shanties and sea songs. While we were all, literally, stuck in the same boat, songs about sugar and rum, sweethearts, work and home brought people together. More than 74 million views were recorded on the app that allowed even those most isolated to join a choir of strangers, and Scottish postman-turned-social media sensation Nathan Evans gave up his day job after reaching number one in the UK charts with his remix of Wellerman, a 19thcentury sea shanty.

The comeback continues with the return of Harwich’s popular Shanty Festival. Last year’s event would have coincided with the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers’ voyage to the New World. Harwich has close connections with that famous voyage, and the town had planned a year-long programme of Mayflower-related events until the pandemic struck.

In normal Shanty Festival times, Harwich rings with the sound of songs, music and voices coming from pubs, boats, clubs and the old seaport’s many historic buildings.

There are street theatre sketches, maritime crafts, promenading pirates, barge trips and workshops on offer as the town fills with colour and visitors soak up the atmosphere created over a special weekend.

This year the event – scheduled for October 8-10 – will be in its 16th year and organisers say: “Rest assured that the 2021 Festival, whilst it may look a little different from usual, will concentrate on bringing you an all-round shanty experience, featuring a wide selection of experienced shanty singers for you to enjoy.”

• www.harwichshantyfestival.co.uk

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Broaden your horizons Had enough of staying at home? Try these suggestions for holidays and short breaks on and around the coast

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uffolk-based Tradewind Voyages began trading only last year and, to comply with the government’s current travel restrictions, in 2021 is offering some fabulous coastal cruises on board the world’s largest square-rigged sailing ship, Golden Horizon.

This luxurious ship will carry up to 272 passengers and is a near replica of the 1913-built ocean vessel France II. Golden Horizon is due to dock in Harwich after a six-night ‘dress rehearsal’ voyage that leaves Portsmouth on June 22.

She promises to be a stunning sight and will

definitely be very different to the Essex harbour’s usual North Sea ferry and container ship traffic.

Combining historic charm with an exemplary guest experience, the company’s inaugural cruise is an ‘Eastern Coastal Contrasts’ voyage which sets off from Harwich on July 1, and all voyages in that month will be in UK waters.

On July 6 guests embark for a ‘Scotland East to West’ journey from Leith (Edinburgh), followed by a ‘West Coast Gems of Scotland’ cruise from Greenock (Glasgow) on July 15, a ‘Maritime Cities of the North West’ voyage »

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from Greenock on July 21 and a ‘Rounding the South West Peninsula’ voyage from Liverpool on July 25.

From August 4, UK voyages begin with ‘English South Coast and Islands’ from Harwich, and onwards to the Norwegian Fjords and Denmark later in the month. Once Golden Horizon has crossed the Mediterranean, in September and October there will be three Adriatic Voyages including visits to Venice and Split – the latter is the ship’s birthplace. More exotic locations feature in future voyages, including Dubai and Singapore.

Life on board promises to be ultra-luxurious.

For those seeking a laid-back seacation, outstanding food, drinks and social spaces are assured, while a marina platform at the stern of the vessel provides access to watersports equipment including kayaks, canoes and pico sailing dinghies for those with energy to burn off.

Inside, Golden Horizon has a strong connection with the ocean, so every cabin and suite on board has a sea view, while their interiors have traditional features and furnishings that are a tribute to the nautical heritage of a tall ship.

Elsewhere, guests can unwind in the on-board spa, which boasts a sauna, hamman, snow room and Jacuzzi.

Golden Horizon is a sailing ship first and foremost, and in line with the company’s sustainability commitment, her crew aim to sail – without using propulsion – for around 70 per cent of each season.

• www.tradewindvoyages.com

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Shingle House, Dungeness

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ituated on the beach of Dungeness, near Romney Marsh – one of the most unusual and poetic landscapes in England – this stunning property is surrounded by shingle, with the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch miniature railway passing by the end of the garden. Designed for guests seeking a comfortable and relaxed place to stay with friends and family – you can bring your architecture-loving dog too! – Shingle House is set well back from the road, with no near neighbours… a perfect place in which to truly experience life by the sea.

• www.living-architecture.co.uk

Mariners Cottage, Orford

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n the heart of the coastal village of Orford, just yards from the quay, is this pretty midterrace cottage dating from the 17th century.

A comfortable bolt-hole for a couple with or without children, it has a small, sheltered patio to the rear, and for those who want to explore, it’s just a short walk from Market Hill and the imposing 12th century Orford Castle.

Climb to the top of the keep to enjoy panoramic views over the town and surrounding marshes.

• www.suffolk-secrets.co.uk

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The Pier, Harwich

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art of the high-end Milsom group, The Pier is a delightfully welcoming hotel and a favourite destination for lovers of great food and drink.

The first floor restaurant – which has two AA rosettes – overlooks Harwich harbour, its ships and working docks, while on the ground floor the NAVYÄRD bar and terrace is a continentalinspired bar with an enviable drinks and ‘Gin Library’, offering more than 100 gins across four shelves, along with craft, cask and artisan beers, ales and a Nordic-inspired small-plate bar menu.

Individually-styled bedrooms complement the nearby seascape and many have the best vantage points for the beautiful sunsets that are seen on this part of the East Coast.

Aside from its companionable restaurant and bar areas, The Pier offers additional space for private dining within The Saloon, while House Parties can be accommodated in The Angel, an adjacent building which was once a public house – this has seven bedrooms and a large sitting room.

The Pier is easily reached by car, but for the full seafaring experience it’s fun to arrive by boat, courtesy of the Harwich Harbour Ferry, which operates a seasonal service with ports of call in Harwich, Shotley and Felixstowe.

• www.milsomhotels.com

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Fisherman’s House, Sheringham

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his stylish, beachfront property offers comfy living over three floors with breathtaking sea views and the sands just a few steps from the front door. A garage offers access to a ground floor shower room – perfect after an afternoon on the beach – and guests can enjoy the sounds of the sea from the master bedroom. Fisherman’s House is close to all the local amenities – take a ride on the steam railway to the elegant Georgian town of Holt, which makes an alternative day out.

• www.norfolkcottages.co.uk

Old Town Hall, Dunwich

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his spacious Grade II listed property has 18th-century origins and is in the heart of the old coastal town, within a conservation area. Sleeping up to eight people (plus one pet!) it’s ideally-located for strolls along the

shingle beach, or across heathland. The RSPB reserve at Minsmere is within walking distance – even closer is a very popular pub, The Ship Inn, and a splendid beach café.

• www.suffolk-secrets.co.uk

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1 Anchor Cottage, Walberswick The beach may be only a short walk away, but there’s a cool coastal vibe throughout the light, bright interiors and gorgeous garden at this recently-renovated holiday home. Sleeping up to 10 and with private parking for up to three cars, it’s an ideal place to gather family and friends – if you need more space, neighbouring No 2 can be booked too (and comes with its own sauna)!

Two local pubs and a lovely deli take the hard work out of catering for a crowd, and Southwold is just a ferry ride across the river.

• www.sosouthwold.co.uk

Northcliffe, Southwold

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njoy a prime position on Southwold’s iconic seafront with a stay at this six-bedroom property. Unrivalled sea views give guests first sight of the sunrise, while small gardens front and rear offer a place to escape the coastal crowds. Inside, there’s a sense of luxury in every space, with plenty of room for social gatherings.

But those in need of me-time are catered for too... the snug is a perfect place in which to enjoy a little peace and quiet.

• www.sosouthwold.co.uk

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Your great British staycation awaits...

With over 1,200 holiday homes across Norfolk and Suffolk, and more than 4,000 more properties across the rest of England and Wales, you can look forward to wonderful holidays in stunning destinations.

The Little Barn Ref: 1880

Discover them all at originalcottages.co.uk TheCoastalGuide 2021

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Home of Deben Café Bar on HMS Vale

Melton Boatyard Dock Lane Melton Woodbridge IP12 1PE 01394 386327

Here at Melton Boatyard we pride ourselves on good, honest service. We are down to earth and, in a boating world increasingly full of shiny paint and expensive solutions, refreshingly straightforward. This is a traditional working boatyard, and we are proud of it.

Our 30-berth marina is modestly priced and our floating berths stay full all summer, although we can usually accomodate short-term requests by moving our own small fleet to free up a berth. Long-standing customers become our friends and many have been here for years. Customers tell us they appreciate our friendly service, relaxed attitude and open approach.

We are able to store 100 boats ashore, can offer mud berths on request, and offer membership to Deben Bar, our licensed club house located in The Engine Room of HMS Vale.

Steel fabrication & repairs • Grit, sand & bead blasting • Mechanical & electrical engineering • Full yard services • Lay-up and lifts to & from transport • 40t lift, up to 75’ loa, 17’5 beam

info@meltonboatyard.co.uk www.meltonboatyard.co.uk

Deben Café Bar on HMS Vale

Moored alongside Melton Boatyard, Deben Café Bar offers a unique eating and drinking experience on the aft deck of an ex-Swedish Missile Attack Craft. Halfway between Woodbridge and Wilford Bridge, it is a welcome spot for rest and relaxation with spectacular views over the River Deben.

This unique café bar with stunning views, serves good food and bar snacks. Enjoy eating and drinking while observing our wide variety of bird life; you will often see deer and seals too. Dogs welcome.

HMS Vale is also home to Deben Bar – Melton Boatyard’s members club, located in the Engine Room of HMS Vale.

debencafe@btinternet.com Telephone: 01394 388643 Follow our facebook pages: ‘Deben Cafe on HMS Vale’ & ‘HMS Vale akaTS Lord Nelson’

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See life!

One of the nicest natural encounters you’re likely to have is with the region’s resident seals – enjoy them in a wildlife-safe way

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oth common and grey seals thrive on the East Coast. It can be difficult to distinguish the two species when they’re in the water, but when they’re basking on the mud there are a few telltell signs to help. Common (or harbour) seals are smaller, have a shorter head and snout, a rounder face and V-shaped nostrils; they are often seen in their distinctive ‘banana’ position, with head and tail up. On our coastline, their fur often turns orange – the colour comes from the iron oxide in the mud that they ‘haul out’ onto; it’s harmless, but eye-catching.

Seals are strong, agile swimmers – some can reach speeds of up to 40mph – but on land they can look cumbersome. Common seal pups are born during the summer and the greys have their pups between November and January.

Both species haul out in order to breed, digest their food and rest, so it’s vital that they are not disturbed while doing so – if you spot them, keep your distance. And always take your litter home with you after a day on or near the coast… every year there are reports of seals that need help after getting caught up in discarded plastic and netting.

If our coastline is to continue being home to a happy, healthy seal population it’s vital that wildlife-friendly watching guidelines are followed.

Organised boat trips are the best way to minimise disturbance and be sure of the best sightings – seals are confident swimmers and will approach vessels out of curiosity in the water, while on land they are vulnerable and unable to escape as quickly, so they’re generally very wary of humans. People coming too close, handling or putting them back in the sea can all contribute to their deaths, and constant disturbance or loud noises, even at a distance, can make entire colonies stampede to the water to escape a perceived threat, causing injuries, wasting the seals’ energy, and separating mothers and pups.

If you’d like to spend some time getting close safely and seeing these wonderful mammals in their natural habitat, here’s where to head…

Blakeney Point, Norfolk

The largest seal colony in England resides at the tip of the Blakeney Point shingle spit, which is also one of Europe’s most important sites for migrating birds. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the spit is also the site of an iconic former Lifeboat house. .• www.beansboattrips.co.uk • www.bishopsboats.co.uk • www.blakeneypointsealtrips.co.uk

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Hamford Water, Essex

Take a seal-watching boat trip from Harwich to Hamford Water National Nature Reserve which is on the Walton Backwaters – author Arthur Ransome famously depicted the area in his 1930s book, Secret Water. In good weather you’ll likely see yachts and motorboats at anchor here, their crews paddling kayaks or dinghies along the creeks where the seals rest.

• www.sealwatching.co.uk

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Wallasea Island, Essex

Sandwiched by the Rivers Crouch and Roach, this RSPB nature reserve has some brilliant walking trails. The island is made of 740 hectares of farmland, as well as salt marsh, mudflats, marshes and lagoons – the majority of the island became a wildlife habitat thanks to the relocation there of 4.5m tonnes of soil gathered from tunnelling for London’s Crossrail project.

Scheduled boat trips leave from Essex Marina,

Marine rescue

Wallasea Island and Burnham Town Quay, and some departures are accompanied by an expert guide from the RSPB. • www.charterdiscovery.co.uk

Ramsgate, Kent

Go2Sea and Christabel Boat Trips both offer a range of leisure trips around the beautiful Kent coastline, including seal-watching trips starting from Ramsgate Harbour.

• www.go2sea.co.uk • www.christabel.uk

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) was formed in 1988, when a few like-minded divers got together in response to the mass mortality of harbour seals in the Wash area. Many hundreds of seals have been helped since then, and BDMLR has worked closely with specialist rehabilitation facilities to ensure their long-term care and eventual return to the wild.

Although seal rescue has remained a key component of the work of the charity, it has become progressively more involved in the response to stranded cetaceans in the UK and was a founder member of the Marine Animal Rescue Coalition (MARC), which has a primary focus of improving the response to live cetacean strandings. Now, BDMLR attends over 450 incidents a year, with around 10 per cent of those being cetacean rescues.

If you see a live, beached animal, it’s important to know that this may not necessarily mean it is in distress. Seals often haul out at low water and rest until the tide returns, so not every seal on land is in need of rescue. Tear stains beneath the eyes are a good sign – seals don’t have the ducts that re-circulate tears, so they seem to cry continuously and this shows that they are well hydrated.

Young grey seal pups will not enter the sea until they’re three to four weeks old, when they are weaned and need to find their own food. If you see one, don’t touch as this could lead to the mother deserting it. Harbour seal pups, born from June to September, can swim within a few hours and so may be in and out of the water regularly.

If you think a seal is ill or distressed: • Call BDMLR for advice and assistance. If you can, take some photographs on your mobile phone and they will give you a number or email address to send them to.

• Do not pick the seal up – observe it from a safe distance.

• Do not chase it back in the sea – try to stand between it and the sea until help arrives.

• Look for signs of injury and provide an accurate description along with the size, species (if known) and location of the animal.

• Keep other people and dogs away – these can cause stress to the animal and seals also carry infections that can be transferred.

• Avoid inhaling the seal’s breath and stay away from its head – it may bite!

BDMLR hotline: 01825 765546 (office hours); 07787 433412 (Bank Holidays, evenings and weekends) • www.bdmlr.org.uk

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Be bird aware

The East Coast and its estuaries are known for their abundance of bird life – in Essex alone there are ten Designated Habitats Sites that safeguard them.

The Essex coastline stretches just over 350 miles from the Thames Estuary to the Stour Estuary. It features a variety of habitats and environments including mudflats, saltmarshes and grazing marshes. Every winter thousands of protected waders and wildfowl travel thousands of miles to overwinter and feast on the many marine worms, shellfish and plants they find here.

They need to feed and rest undisturbed so that they can survive the winter and build up enough energy to fly back to their summer habitats – quite literally, their survival relies on them not being disturbed.

Birds perceive people and their dogs as a threat; if either get too close, the birds sense danger and stop feeding. They may walk, swim or fly away, and this means they lose valuable feeding time and waste precious energy.

Over half of England’s most threatened

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breeding bird species are ground nesting, so if you’re enjoying watersports or walks along shorelines and estuaries where there are breeding roosts, it’s important to be bird aware in spring and summer too. Human presence adds to the birds’ stress of defending their territory, laying eggs and rearing chicks; disturbance can result in nest desertion.

The advice from the RSPB is to watch where you walk, stick to the paths, watch out for signage, and keep dogs on a lead. If you’re walking across open shingle, look and listen out for alarmed birds, as these are often an indication of a nest nearby. If you do hear alarm calls, back away to avoid further disturbance.

The Swallowtail Restaurant and Bar is situated in Burnham Yacht Harbour and with its full height sliding doors has stunning views of the marina and River Crouch.

The large open balcony has an amazing new canopy which means you can enjoy alfresco dining no matter the weather.

We are open 7 days a week.

We welcome visiting groups, functions and families and our friendly staff will make it their aim to give you a truly memorable experience.

Please call us on 01621 785505 or visit our website: www.swallowtailrestaurant.co.uk Foundry Lane, Burnham on Crouch, CM0 8BL

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One location • Three great reasons to visit!

Tollesbury Marina on the River Blackwater 250 berths • Water • WiFi • Electricity • Chandlery • Boatyard for lifting & repairs • Wonderful views & countryside

www.tollesburymarina.com • 01621 869202

Eat at the Harbour View overlooking the Marina Seafood, specials and a fabulous Sunday Roast Lovely waterside setting with great views www.the-harbour-view.co.uk 01621 869561

Buying or selling a boat on the East Coast?

We hold Spring & Autumn used boat shows in a great location Free storage ashore No sale – no fee GIVE US A TRY! www.davidmorrisboats.co.uk • 01621868494

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MARINAS & MOORINGS

Brightlingsea Harbour

Tollesbury Saltings

Titchmarsh Marina

Bradwell Marina

Burnham Yacht Harbour

Tollesbury Marina

Maylandsea

blackwater-marina.co.uk

Essex Blackwater Marina Bradwell Marina

Bradwell

bradwellmarina.com

Brightlingsea Harbour

Brightlingsea

brightlingseaharbour.org

Brightlingsea Marina

Brightlingsea

brightlingseaharbour.org

Burnham Yacht Harbour

Burnham-on-Crouch

burnhamyachtharbour.co.uk

Essex Marina

Wallasea Island

essexmarina.co.uk

Fambridge Yacht Haven

Fambridge

yachthavens.com

Ha’penny Pier

Harwich

hha.co.uk/leisure/mooring/

Heybridge Basin

Heybridge

01245 226245

Leigh Marina

Leigh- On-Sea

leighmarina.co.uk

Leigh-On-Sea Sailing Club

Leigh-On-Sea

leighsailingclub.org

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club

Burnham-on-Crouch

royalcorinthian.co.uk

Stour Sailing Club

Manningtree

stoursailingclub.co.uk

Titchmarsh Marina

Walton Backwaters

titchmarshmarina.co.uk

West Mersea Yacht Club

West Mersea

wmyc.org.uk

Wivenhoe Sailing Club

Wivenhoe

wivenhoesailingclub.org

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MARINAS & MOORINGS

Chatham Maritime Marina

Wells Harbour

North Kent Allington Lock

Allington

allingtonlock.co.uk

Allington Marina

Allington

allingtonmarina.com

Chatham Maritime Marina

Chatham

chathammaritimemarina.co.uk

Conyer Creek Marina

Sittingbourne

conyercreekmarina.co.uk

Cuxton Marina

Rochester

cuxtonmarina.com

Elmhaven Marina

Rochester

elmhaven-marina.co.uk

Gillingham Marina

Gillingham

gillingham-marina.co.uk

Margate Harbour

Margate

portoframsgate.co.uk

Medway Pier Marine

Gillingham

01634 851113

Port Medway Marina

Cuxton

portmedwaymarina.co.uk

Queenborough Harbour

Queenborough

queenborough-harbour.co.uk

Royal Ramsgate Marina

Ramsgate

portoframsgate.co.uk

Swale Marina

Conyer Creek

swalemarina.co.uk

The Embankment Marina

Gravesend

theembankmentmarina.co.uk

Gallions Point Marina

River Thames

gallionspointmarina.co.uk

Hermitage Community Moorings

River Thames

hermitagemoorings.org

London

Imperial Wharf Marina

River Thames

imperialwharfmarina.co.uk

Limehouse Marina

River Thames

aquavista.com

South Dock Marina

River Thames

020 7252 2244/07950 805509

St Katharine Docks

River Thames

skdocks.co.uk

Wells-next-the-Sea

portofwells.co.uk

Norfolk Wells Harbour

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MARINAS & MOORINGS

Tidemill Yacht Harbour

Shotley Marina

Woolverstone Marina

Fox’s Marina

Suffolk Felixstowe Ferry

Felixstowe

07803 476621/01394 270106

Fox’s Marina

Ipswich

foxsmarina.com

Ipswich Haven Marina

Ipswich

ipswichhavenmarina.co.uk

Lowestoft Haven Marina

Lowestoft

lowestofthavenmarina.co.uk

Neptune Marina

Ipswich

neptune-marina.com

Orford Quay

Orford

01394 459950/07528 092635

Ramsholt

Ramsholt

07930 304061

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Lowestoft

rnsyc.net

Shotley Marina

Shotley

shotleymarina.com

Slaughden Sailing Club

Aldeburgh

slaughdensailingclub.co.uk

Southwold Harbour

Southwold

01502 724712

Suffolk Yacht Harbour

Levington

syharbour.co.uk

The Royal Harwich Yacht Club

Woolverstone

royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

Tide Mill Yacht Harbour

Woodbridge

tidemillyachtharbour.co.uk

Waldringfield Moorings

Waldringfield

waldringfieldsc.com

Woolverstone Marina

Woolverstone

mdlmarinas.co.uk

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Boat Building

Custom New Builds / Restoration / Repair /

CAD Design & CNC Cutting Composite Engineering / Production

Indoor & Outdoor Boatyard Storage Lifting & Moorings Yacht Brokerage Surveys

01728 452019 info@demonyachts.co.uk Demon Yachts, Aldeburgh Boatyard, Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP155DE

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Snettisham Beach Sailing Club History, heritage, and a unique location

U

nique on the Norfolk Coast because it has both an inland lake and open sea available, Snettisham Beach SC is a busy, friendly West Norfolk club with a great history, an unrivalled reputation for running top events and training, all on an exciting tidal stretch of The Wash.

The club is one of the leading watersports clubs on the East Coast, with family-friendly, multi-level dinghy fleets, wind and kite surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and a busy social club. We also have a radio controlled model yacht section for 2021! We are home to multiple National and European class champions and we run organised social sailing activities alongside a friendly but competitive racing programme. For racing the location is always exciting, with every day bringing new conditions from wind and tide.

The club boasts excellent facilities including a concrete launching ramp, adjacent dinghy and car park, plus a large bar and galley and spacious changing rooms (when regulations allow!).

• Our west-facing terrace overlooks a beautiful sandy beach – enjoy spectacular evening sunsets as you sit on the veranda with a drink or a meal.

• With events throughout the season, racing every weekend and bank holiday from March to October – plus social events throughout the year – we welcome visiting watersports enthusiasts and their families. Please check our calendar for details.

• The club hosts a number of Open Meetings throughout the year. In 2021 these include events for Dart 18, RS 2000 and Streakers, plus the final weekend of North West Norfolk Week (www.norfolkweek.co.uk) – SBSC was a founding member.

• The junior fleet enjoys its own programme of racing on the lake at weekends and a Wednesday Evening Club, plus sea racing for the more competent sailors. Our Cadet Week has always been very popular. In 2020 we ran two smaller cadet weeks so that we could comply with Covid restrictions whilst still meeting the needs of our junior members. Bookings are now open for our two cadet weeks in 2021, however, due to demand, places are only open to club members.

Still time to join if you want to book a place!

Find out more at www.snetbeach.co.uk Facebook.com/Snetbeach

SBSC has a dedicated RYA Recognised Training Centre which runs courses for adults and children throughout the season, from April to October. Sailing is a fantastic sport and a great way to relax and unwind with friends and family, so why not make the most of your summer in England and book a course, or arrange some private tuition at a time to suit you? All our courses are bookable on our website www.snetbeach.co.uk or, if you’d like to know more, please email courses.sbsc@gmail.com.

On Sunday 4 July we are running a free club open day which is a great opportunity to visit the club, see our facilities, have a go on the water and make the most of some special offers on courses and membership.

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club, Snettisham Beach, Kings Lynn PE31 7RB 01485 542647 secretary.snett@gmail.com www.snetbeach.co.uk

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Safe, social …and good for you!

Summer 2021 is likely to see even more people enjoying watersports as we seek to spend our money and free time wisely

T

he pandemic may have sunk most people’s plans for travel and family time over the past year, but as we’ve all come to terms with finding a ‘new normal’, it has created new levels of interest and investment in watersports… and a fresh understanding that they’re an ideal way to be outdoors, exercise and meet up – in a sociallydistanced way, when required – with others.

In spring 2020, as the first lockdown was beginning to bite, sales of boats, boards and other watercraft slowed. The mood changed, however, once the lockdown restrictions eased: people began to look for new hobbies, holiday ideas and safe ways to be outdoors, and buying something just because it looked like ‘fun’ became both an investment and reward… after so much time following government guidelines, we all felt we ‘deserved’ a treat or two.

Fast forward to 2021 (because who wants to remember the last winter?) and with travel for sport and recreation, plus sailing events and

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shore-side activities permitted from March 29, then club changing rooms open from April 12, everyone’s out on the water. That mid-April date was also when overnight stays in ‘self-contained accommodation’ were allowed again, meaning that sailing yacht and motor boat owners could – within a household group – make more than a day trip to their vessels, and start to support the marinas, chandleries, bars and restaurants that bring such vibrancy to our coastal areas.

Coronavirus-wise, we’re not out of the water yet, of course, and caution is still advised in so many of the things we once did without a second thought. The advice, then, to everyone taking to the water – even the most experienced – is to know your limits, have a plan, consider the potential impact you could have on others and ensure that you do not place any unnecessary strain on the RNLI, Independent Lifeboats or other emergency services.

All this is even more essential if you’re dipping

your toes into the watersports world for the first time – for all newcomers, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) should be a first port of call.

It’s the national body for dinghy, yacht and motor cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and personal watercraft, and offers a huge number of training options for those of all ages who wish to acquire both theory and practical knowledge.

You’ll find sailing clubs and sailing schools around the UK that are RYA-affiliated and therefore able to offer its recognised training courses. Aside from the certificates you’ll receive on successful completion of a course – and, in some cases, an exam – you’ll gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be safe on the water, and to get the maximum enjoyment out of your boat, board or other watercraft.

On the coastline, lakes and waterways across the UK there are around 2,000 RYA-affiliated clubs and centres offering opportunities for

people of all ages to get afloat, with many of these based on the East Coast. You’ll find a warm welcome for all plus, this summer, some are running #DiscoverSailing sessions inviting newcomers to ‘have a go’ either for free, or at very little cost.

Robbie Bell, the RYA Regional Development Officer for the East says: “With this summer’s predicted staycation trend there’s never been a better time to get on the water. Being active and outside in the fresh air has great benefits for both physical and mental health, and with the variety of coasts, rivers and inland waterways throughout the region there is something for everyone.”

If you’re interested in getting afloat locally this summer, get in touch with your nearest sailing venue and find out what they have to offer by visiting www.rya.org.uk/wheresmynearest.

A list of coastal watersports clubs in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, London and North Kent starts on p93.

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Benfleet Yacht Club Open to new members

F

ounded in 1922, Benfleet Yacht Club is a large and friendly members-run club located alongside Benfleet Creek, on the northern shore of Canvey Island in Essex.

The club offers great opportunities for all craft – dinghy sailing and coastal rowing mainly take place in the sheltered waters of Benfleet Creek, while for cruising yachts, the Rivers Medway and Swale are just a few hours away, and slightly further afield are the superb cruising grounds of the East Coast rivers. For a great summer cruise, Benfleet is within striking distance of the northern coast of France and Belgium and the vast inland waterways of Holland.

Complementing the club’s busy sailing

Low Cost Moorings and Winter Lay-Up available Benfleet Yacht Club offers a large number of tidal moorings for yachts, along with second-to-none on-shore storage for both yachts and dinghies. A range of membership options and a one-off club joining fee are applicable, but the club is keen to be affordable for all: it’s possible to keep a 29ft yacht here for less than £600 a year – and that includes haul out, winter lay-up and relaunch! programme and popular Cadet Sail Training Week, a superb clubhouse includes a bar that’s open lunchtime and evenings seven days a week, and there’s an active social and entertainments programme all year round.

Benfleet Yacht Club is well known for organising The Nore Race, a combined open cruiser and dinghy race that covers a 20-mile circuit of the Thames Estuary, starting and finishing at Southend Pier.

Since 2010 Benfleet Yacht Club’s Coastal Rowers have also organised the Round Canvey Race, an annual open event in which rowing, paddling and sailing vessels complete a 14.5 mile circuit of Canvey Island. An eclectic mix of craft have competed to date, with boats from as far as Whitby travelling to take part.

Details of both events can be found on the club website – please check in case of changes due to Coronavirus.

Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0QT 01268 792278 membership@benfleetyachtclub.org www.benfleetyachtclub.org

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Brightlingsea Harbour is a small mixed leisure and commercial port situated in Brightlingsea Creek, close to the mouth of the Colne where it meets the Blackwater and Thames Estuaries Brightlingsea Harbour is a Trust Port managed by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners, who also run Waterside Marina.

Harbour facilities include:

Water Taxi • Fresh Water • Fuel • Sewage Pump Out • Laundry • Showers • Maintenance Posts • Wifi and electric in the marina • Waste Disposal Brightlingsea has a great selection of hostelries, shops, clubs and services, and our Harbour boat trips and Foot Ferry make it easy for visitors to explore the area further

01206 302200 • mail@brightlingseaharbour.org • www.brightlingseaharbour.org • VHF Channel 68

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The Boatyard Shipyard Estate Brightlingsea CO70AR T: 01206 302003 www.morganmarine.com

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COASTAL CLUBS

Eyott Sailing Club

Brightlingsea Sailing Club

West Mersea Yacht Club

Essex Alexandra YC

Southend

alexyachtclub.co.uk

Ardleigh SC

Ardleigh

ardleighsc.co.uk

Benfleet YC

Canvey Island

benfleetyachtclub.org

Blackwater SC

Heybridge

blackwatersailingclub.org.uk

Bradwell Quay YC

Bradwell-on-Sea

bqyc.org.uk

Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club

Brightlingsea

brightlingseacoastalrowingclub.co.uk

Brightlingsea SC

Brightlingsea

sailbrightlingsea.com

Burnham on Crouch SC

Burnham-on-Crouch

burnhamsc.co.uk

Chelmsford Canoe Club

Chelmsford

chelmsfordcanoeclub.co.uk

Clacton Canoe Club

Clacton-On-Sea

clactoncanoeclub.co.uk

Clacton-on-Sea SC

Clacton-on-Sea

clactonsailingclub.org.uk

Colne YC

Brightlingsea

colneyachtclub.org.uk

Crouch YC

Burnham-on-Crouch

cyc.org.uk

Dabchicks SC

West Mersea

dabchicks.org

Essex YC

Leigh-on-Sea

essexyachtclub.co.uk

Eyott SC

South Woodham Ferrers

eyottsailingclub.org.uk

Gunfleet SC

Holland-on-Sea

gunfleetsailingclub.co.uk

Harlow Blackwater SC

Maylandsea

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.com

Harwich Town SC

Harwich

htsc.co.uk

Hostellers SC

Paglesham

hostellerssailingclub.org.uk

Island YC

Canvey Island

islandyachtclub.org.uk

Leigh on Sea SC

Leigh-on-Sea

leighsailingclub.org

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COASTAL CLUBS

Harwich Town Sailing Club

Clacton-on-Sea Sailing Club

Walton & Frinton Yacht Club

Benfleet Yacht Club

Essex Maldon and Dengie Canoe Club

94

Burnham-on-Crouch

madcanoeclub.co.uk

Maldon Gig Rowing Club

Maldon

maldongigclub.org.uk

Maldon Little SC

Maldon

mlsc.org.uk

Marconi SC

Southminster

marconi-sc.org.uk

Maylandsea Bay SC

West Maylandsea

maylandseabay-sc.org.uk

Mersea Island Rowing Club

West Mersea

mersearowingclub.org.uk

North Fambridge YC

North Fambridge

nfyachtclub.co.uk

Rowhedge Coastal Rowing Club

Rowhedge

rowhedgecoastalrowingclub.teamapp.com

Royal Burnham YC

Burnham-on-Crouch

rbyc.org.uk

Royal Corinthian YC

Burnham-on-Crouch

royalcorinthian.co.uk

Southend Canoe Club

Southend-on-Sea

southendcanoe.org.uk

Stone Sailing Club

Southminster

stonesailingclub.org.uk

Stour SC

Manningtree

stoursailingclub.co.uk

Thames Estuary YC

Southend-on-Sea

teyc.co.uk

Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Southend-on-Sea

tbyc.org

Thurrock YC

Grays

thurrockyachtclub.org.uk

Tollesbury SC

Tollesbury

tollesburysc.com

Up River YC

Hullbridge

upriver.org.uk

Wakering YC

Rochford

wakeringyachtclub.org.uk

Walton and Frinton YC

Walton-on-the-Naze

wfyc.co.uk

West Mersea YC

West Mersea

wmyc.org.uk

Wivenhoe SC

Wivenhoe

wivenhoesailing.org.uk

TheCoastalGuide 2021

COASTAL CLUBS

Medway Yacht Club

Erith Yacht Club

North Kent All Hallows YC

Rochester

allhallowsyachtclub.net

Conyer Cruising Club

Whitstable

conyercc.org.uk

Erith YC

Erith

erithyachtclub.org.uk

Gravesend SC

Gravesend

gravesendsailingclub.co.uk

Hampton Pier Yacht Club

Whitstable

hpyc.org.uk

Hollow Shore Cruising Club

Whitstable

hollowshorecc.org

Herne Bay SC

Herne Bay

hernebaysailingclub.co.uk

Hoo Ness SC

Rochester

hooness.org.uk

Hundred of Hoo SC

Rochester

hundredofhoosailingclub.org

Isle of Sheppey SC

Sheerness

iossc.org.uk

Lower Halstow YC

Lower Halstow

lhyc.org.uk

Medway Cruising Club

Gillingham

medwaycruisingclub.org.uk

Medway Watersports Trust

Gillingham

medwaywatersports.co.uk

Medway YC Lower

Upnor

medwayyachtclub.com

Queenborough YC

Queenborough

queenboroughyachtclub.co.uk

Rochester Cruising Club

Rochester

rochestercruisingclub.co.uk

Royal Temple YC

Ramsgate

rtyc.com

Sandwich Sailing and Motor Boat Club

Sandwich

ssmbc.co.uk

Segas SC

Gillingham

segassailingclub.co.uk

Strood YC

Rochester

stroodyachtclub.jimdo.com

Tonbridge Town SC

Tonbridge

tonbridgesailing.org

Whitstable Yacht Club

Whitstable

wyc.org.uk

Wilsonian SC

Hoo

wilsoniansc.org.uk

Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre

Isle of Dogs

dswc.org

Greenwich YC

Greenwich

greenwichyachtclub.co.uk

London

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COASTAL CLUBS

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

Hunstanton Sailing Club

Norfolk

96

Blakeney SC

Blakeney

blakeneysailing.co.uk

Brancaster Staithe SC

Brancaster Staithe

bssc.net

Coldham Hall SC

Surlingham

coldhamhallsailingclub.co.uk

Dereham Canoe Group

Swanton Morley

derehamcanoegroup.co.uk

Gt Yarmouth & Gorlestone SC

Gorleston-on-Sea

gygsc.co.uk

Hickling Broad SC

Hickling

hicklingbroad.com

Hickling Windsurfing Club

Hickling

hicklingbroad.co.uk

Horning SC

Horning

horning-sailing.club

Hunstanton SC

Hunstanton

hunstantonsc.co.uk

King’s Lynn Coastal Rowing Club

King’s Lynn

klcrc.club

Norfolk Broads School of Sailing

Acle

norfolksailingschool.co.uk

Norfolk Broads YC

Wroxham

nbyc.co.uk

Norfolk Punt Club

Barton Broad

puntclub.co.uk

Norfolk School Sailing Association

Filby Broad

nssa.co.uk

Northern Rivers SC

Acle

nrscsailingclub.com

Ouse Amateur SC

King’s Lynn

oasc.co.uk

Snettisham Beach SC

King’s Lynn

snetbeach.co.uk

Snowflake SC

Horning

sfsc.co.uk

Wells SC

Wells-next-the-Sea

wellssailingclub.co.uk

Wensum Ospreys Canoe Club

Fakenham

wocc.org.uk

Whitlingham Adventure

Norwich

whitlinghamadventure.org.uk

Yare SC

Norfolk

yaresailingclub.org.uk

TheCoastalGuide 2021

COASTAL CLUBS

Deben Yacht Club

Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

Royal Harwich Yacht Club

Suffolk Adastral Park SC

Ipswich

adastralsailing.org.uk

Aldeburgh YC

Aldeburgh

aldeburghyc.org.uk

Alton Water

Stutton

altonwater.co.uk

Beccles Amateur SC

Beccles

becclesasc.co.uk

Deben Rowing Club

Woodbridge

debenrowingclub.co.uk

Deben YC

Woodbridge

debenyachtclub.co.uk

East Suffolk Wakeboard & Water Ski Club

Felixstowe

eswsc.co.uk

Felixstowe Ferry SC

Felixstowe

ffsc.co.uk

Fox’s Marina YC

Ipswich

fmyc.org.uk

Haven Ports YC

Levington

hpyc.com

Iken Canoe Club

Aldeburgh

ikencanoe.co.uk

Ipswich Canoe Club

Ipswich

ipswichcanoeclub.org.uk

Ipswich Rowing Club

Ipswich

ipswichrc.org.uk

Kessingland Sea Sailing Club

Kessingland

kessingland-seasailingclub.uk

Lowestoft Cruising Club

Lowestoft

lowestoftcruisingclub.org

Lowestoft Rowing Club

Oulton Broad

lowestoftrowingclub.org.uk

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COASTAL CLUBS

Southwold Sailing Club

Woodbridge Cruising Club

Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club

Waldringfield Sailing Club

Suffolk

98

Orwell YC

Ipswich

orwellyachtclub.org.uk

Oulton Broad Water Sports Centre

Lowestoft

oultonbroadwatersportscentre.co.uk

Pin Mill SC

Pin Mill

pmsc.org.uk

Royal Harwich YC

Woolverstone

royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk YC

Lowestoft

rnsyc.net

Shotley SC

Shotley Gate

shotleysailingclub.co.uk

Slaughden Sailing Club

Aldeburgh

slaughdensailingclub.co.uk

Southwold SC

Southwold

southwoldsc.org

St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Ass

Bury St Edmunds

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

Waldringfield SC

Woodbridge

waldringfieldsc.com

Waveney & Oulton Broad YC

Oulton Broad

wobyc.com

Waveney Sailability

Lowestoft

waveneysailability.co.uk

Woodbridge CC

Woodbridge

woodbridgecruisingclub.org

TheCoastalGuide 2021

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Visiting Burnham Yacht Harbour?

Please call our Harbourmaster on

01621 786832

or call up on VHF Channel 80

for visitor berth allocation.

-

350 fully serviced berths Safe and secure moorings 24 hour tidal access Restaurant, bar and conference room Chandlery Heated workshop Shipwrights, engineers and outfitters Shipw Yacht brokerage Refurbished shower and toilet block Free Wifi Direct rail links to London

For a full list of incentives and deals please visit our website www.burnhamyachtharbour.co.uk or call 01621 782150 email: admin@burnhamyachtharbour.co.uk