2nd September 2011

SIDMOUTH: Sidmouth Regatta 2011

By Laura Goldsbury Noy

Sidmouth’s sailing boats were at the ready last weekend as the annual Sidmouth Regatta took to the town for another fun packed few days.

Saturday kicked off with a whole array of sailing races before the popular three-legged race. The entries this year were the “best ever” with an unprecedented 42 pairs participating in the seafront race.

Despite battling the rather unsettled weather, locals came out in full force to support the event with people dressed as super heroes to panto horses. There was a big thank you to the Swan, Volunteer, Radway, Black Horse, Anchor and Dukes for providing the beer for the event.

Saturday continued with more sailing and swimming races for all ages, and although junior entries were down, the adults races made up for it with an “extreme competitive nature”.

A plaque was dedicated to this event and presented to the Regatta Committee by the Royal Navy Old Comrades Association (RNOCA). The association was formed on May 8th 1912 and is therefore 100 years old next year. In celebration of their centenary, the RNOCA decided to give a shield to the regatta to commemorate others that use the sea. The shield was presented to regatta organisers Keith Knight and Oliver Salter by RNOCA secretayr Tom Deremer and chairman Richard Long.

The famous raft race was held in the afternoon, with decorated rafts and a fancy dress competition. Once again, there was a great turn out with seven rafts competing in the events, including the “Mime Artists Invisible Raft” and “The Angry Birds”. There was true regatta spirit when the Cricket Club failed to float upright and still made the long swim back to shore.

The day ended with a display from Exmouth Lifeboat, live music from the Southern Scene at Port Royal and a grand firework display which were said to be the “best in Sidmouth” when one particular firework landed on the sea and then took back off into the air.

Sunday was another fun-filled day with more sailing races, a children’s drawing competition, children’s fancy dress and a family treasure hunt.
Organisers Oliver Salter said: “The weekend has been really great and the committee would like to thank all local hotels and businesses that sponsored the regatta, without their support the event couldn’t happen.

“Adult attendance was well up this year, but junior entries were fairly low. Despite this, the local people have once again supported the regatta well and the events have all been rather successful.”

There were special thanks also to Gliddons Toy shop for donating prizes for the children’s events, to W.V. Fish Cycles for a children’s bicycle that was donated for a raffle and to Adele Salter for organising the children’s events.

As Keith and Oliver have organised the regatta for over 20 years, they are looking to retire and would be pleased to hear from anyone willing to continue the tradition and take on the organisation.

PICTURE 1: THE ANGRY BIRDS - The grup came first for fancy dress in the raft race

PICTURE 2: A special shield was donated by Tom Deremer, secretary and Richard Long, chairman of the PNOCA to Regatta Committee members Keith Knight and Oliver Salter

PICTURE 3: Sarah Mansell, Eloise Evans, Rachel Abraham and Kim Fowler trundle along for the 3-legged race

PICTURE 4: THE LADYBIRD CREW - VG Bell, Chris Bryant, and Fiona and Dave Billingsley

PICTURE 5: THE BAGWELL BIN-LINERS AND WALLIES - Mark and Emma Bagwell with Kristina Hall and Helen Bagwell

SIDMOUTH: Sidmouth Regatta 2011

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