BOSUN
CLASS FUTURE NATIONAL EVENTS - WHAT DO THE CLASS MEMBERS WANT !!
The heading says it all what do Bosun Sailors old and new
want, as regards racing away from their home club or base. Following
very good National's over the last few years at Falmouth and Plymouth
it would be a shame if another event were not held. In 2003 the
National's should have been at Netley the venue used by the Army
Sailing Association when they host the event. For whatever reason
the event was not held and without a National's one year, no arrangements
can be put in place for the following year.
(1) Is there an interest for a National's or events that will get Bosun
Sailors from different venues together?
(2) Do we still have people interested in Bosun's?
(3) Are people still sailing Bosun’s?
These three questions cannot be answered completely without a response
from others but part answers can be made here to each one.
(1) Following enquiries an interest in a National Championships does exist
but as to the extent and how many people would turn up is questionable.
Bosun’s do turn up at Open Events as results are on record to show:
• Portsmouth Perisher
• Medway Regatta
• Plymouth Regatta
• Hoo Freezer.
and probably others, therefore the answer to this first question must
be yes.
(2) Anyone reading this and visiting the Bosun Website must have an interest
either historic or present. Also Bosun's appear on eBay and
offers are made. Sailors with a current interest have contacted
the Website and members of the Association to enquire what is happening
if anything outside of their local port. Answer to this question
is again yes.
(3) As the answer to the last question
was yes, the answer to this one must be yes but at which venues?
Plymouth has a good fleet of Bosun’s competitively racing from the
Camber every Thursday evening plus other training and racing events during
the season. Also in Plymouth Bosun’s can be seen racing in
the Hooe Point Sailing Club fleet on Monday's and some may also be seen
up the River Tamar and Thames.
Even with the closure of Chatham Dockyard with its excellent Sailing Centre
and after race bar, Bosun sailing even without the likes of Willie and
Bill is still going strong. Across the river from the Dockyard the
REs are now the hosts for the regular Wednesday races.
Portsmouth must still be active with their large fleet of Bosun’s
and a fine Club House for socialising after the race.
Down the West of England Falmouth must still be a strong sailing venue.
Even with Tony with all his enthusiasm back in the Plymouth area Bosun
sailing in these excellent waters must have survived.
No doubt comments will flow in . Are they still sailed by
the Sea Cadets on the Welsh Harp?
Well with three YES answers to the above questions is the jackpot won?
Yes but only if something is done and someone grips the helm to drive
it forward.
At short notice could a Nations be fitted in to some clubs diary for the
year?
Possibly not but if a future Nationals are wanted steps need to be taken
now.
What about this year then?
Does any club or area have a regatta with a Bosun Class, which interested
Bosun Sailors could enter and it could be an official or unofficial
Nationals and could lead to a discussion off the water as to the Association
future.
What options are open to take advantage of?
Plymouth Regatta - not really as it involves dinghy and yacht sailing
on alternative days for a week. Medway Regatta - a possibility
as it is a weekend event run by Wilsonians Sailing Club. Falmouth,
Portsmouth could also be possibilities as such places must have local
open regattas.
Have any suitable venues been missed for an event or get together?
Hong Kong representatives attended a past Nationals, Australia has a past
championship winner. South Africa Naval Coach
seen sailing here no doubt more will follow. Well any comments, recommendations
only time will tell but do send them in otherwise the answer to the three
questions is NO and yes is wrong.
Note from webmaster: If we are to hold a Nationals in he near future,
we need to get moving. It may be possible to piggy back an existing
event, but we need suggestions. Personally I don't mind if the venue is
small, or we can't get everyone there who would like to attend.
It is important to hold a Nationals annually. If we miss a year,
the organisation for next year is not in place. We are a small group,
lets act to keep the things moving
Regards Derrick Page webmaster@bosundinghy.co.uk
_/) _/) _/) _/)
_/)
Bosun Association Website http://www.bosundinghy.co.uk
Note:
This article was written some time ago but applies today:
Replies to date:
From: Dave Bradford, 11.May
04
Other than promoting your events in the past through visitors to the National
Sea Cadet Training Centre in Weymouth, I have never taken part in the
Nationals, on most occasions I have had to work.
At Weymouth we have a fleet of 10 busuns of various ages which are in
constant use for training and are all fully equipped. The cadets and adults
who visit the centre still hold the Bosun as being a fine training craft
and it would be a sad day if we were to loose such a substantially built
and very forgiving boat.
If you are looking for a venue to hold an event I could offer you the
weekend of 23/24 October 2004. The training centre has a bar and accommodation
for 80 people. I also have a good number of support craft for safety cover.
I do have other training in that weekend but not using the bosuns. Obviously
my felt is not as large as the Camber or Portsmouth so some would need
to be brought in. If I can be of help please let me know.
From: Steve Whitting 14
May 04 I would be interested in a National event for Bosuns - wouldn't
mind taking part and/or helping to support an event as long as it wasn't
too far away. Seems a shame to lose a long-running tradition due to apathy!
I will keep an eye on the website as I see this has been added to the
"latest news" page.
From: Graham and Liz Clarke
14 may 04 (extract of Email) -former Bosun sailors until approx 1992,
and with a few entries on the lists of past pot-winners): Greetings and
warm regards from Sydney Australia to old friends and competitors in the
Bosun fraternity, Just a note to say how delighted we are that some enthusiasts
are still keeping the class going, but saddened that the annual event
- the BoNats -fell over such that you are now working to get it back on
line - good for you, and good luck with gathering enough enthusiam from
the various Bosun bases to keep the class alive at a national level. Sadly,
there isn't any sensible contribution we can make from here, but we still
have very fond memories of our Bosun days and the many friendships we
had (well, up to the five minute gun, and after the finish line, anyway!).
Received: 14 May 2004-05-14
I have read your bosun discussion with interest and a little disappointment.
Are people not aware that the Sea Cadets have hundreds of Bosuns. These
are continuously used, all over the country. Admittedly some are old and
have had so many repairs, etc. They would not be competitive to race.
However the class is alive and well in the Sea Cadet Corps. I understand
the Corps has plans to eventually replace them and Pico's, Lasers, etc
are becoming more common. But the Bosun phasing out will take years.
The Sea Cadets use Bosuns for training and racing. Racing events are usually
restricted to the annual District, Area and then National finals for the
Cadets. It's basically a knock out event with an eventual National Champion.
But there is also a National Open Regatta held at Portsmouth, organised
very professionally by the Sea Cadets. This is open to anyone, not just
the Sea Cadets. I have attended this event for some years now. There are
regularly 25-30 entries. This has always been a great regatta for this,
perhaps basic but tactical boat.
I have also sailed in the Bosun Nationals before. Unfortunately ever since
it has always clashed with something and I have been unable to attend
again. I certainly will if again. Perhaps the Bosun Nationals could combine
with the SCC Open Regatta? I think Portsmouth is an excellent venue (no
pun intended). Ken and his crew always seem to keep the 40 or so Bosuns
in surprisingly good condition throughout the season. Yes I believe there
are 40 or so Bosuns at his disposal if required. With a few private boats
added that could be interesting starts!
K E Bichard BEM RYA Chief
Instructor (Portsmouth)
Bosun Class Future National Events - Portsmouths fleet is still going
strong. We are actually hosting this year the RNR Regatta, CCF Regatta
and for the first time in quite a few years the SCC National Regatta.
In addition the SCC Bosun Open relocated from Welsh Harp four years ago
and is very popular, averaging 30 Bosuns. No prima donnas, no protests,
and a mixture of adults and cadets who enjoy racing but at club level.
Competitors race 6 races and during the competition change boats three
times.
Running the BOSUN Nationals can be a nightmare. I know, having run having
run three. The main problem is numbers and admin, as people will not commit
themselves until the very last minute, so the organisers do not know how
many people to cater for, or what support is required.
Ken
From Paul & Wendy,
20th May 2004: - Hi there Ihave at last started to get bosun no38 looking
like a real boat and would be interested in attending the national championship.
Not to have a nationals would be a real shame as is signifies that the
current boat owners have lost the will to keep the class alive. This will
inevitably lead to no class association and hence the boats will be scattered
all over the country and no real oppertunity will exist to race bosun
against bosun. We still have bosun No 38 & she still arrouses a lot
of intrest in the boat park, many people come up and recount their days
sailing bosuns. It would be a real shame to lose the history and memories
that surround this great boat.
|
