Broxbourne Sailing Club Marks a Century of Excellence: Celebrating 100 Years of Sailing Heritage

Broxbourne Sailing Club Celebrates 100 Years

13-14 July 2024

Over the weekend of the 13th and 14th of July, members, guests, and past members of Broxbourne Sailing Club enjoyed a variety of social and sailing activities, marking a century since the club’s founding.

The club originally sailed on the River Lea, with early craft including Thames ½ Raters. Over the years, the fleet expanded to include International 14s, National Twelves, Cadets, and later Enterprises and GP14s. In the early 1960s, the club moved to the recently vacated and flooded gravel pits at Nazeing, where it has thrived ever since. Today, Broxbourne is recognized as one of the principal clubs sailing Flying Fifteens and boasts a dedicated fleet of Illusions, facilitated by a capable crane.

The festivities began on Saturday morning with three races for the youth fleet. Strong attendance from the Toppers from nearby Fishers Green SC added to the excitement. Fourteen Toppers set sail in a steady breeze, but the wind proved challenging, with fluctuating strengths testing the skills of the young sailors. Race officers Ben and Lizzie managed to run three races within the two-hour window, with Fishers Green youth taking the top three positions. The Centenary Shield was awarded to Anthony by Robin Fletcher, Broxbourne’s retiring commodore. All sailors received medals, and it was agreed that more joint events between the clubs would be on the horizon. A heartfelt thanks was extended to the sailors, parents, and volunteers for their efforts in making this event a success.

At noon, the senior Centenary series of races commenced, featuring three races on Saturday and two on Sunday. The race officers faced somewhat capricious wind conditions, necessitating frequent adjustments to the start line and course. Despite these challenges, 37 competitors participated. The Flying Fifteens started first, followed closely by a varied fleet. Midway through the first race, the wind lightened considerably, causing concern, but luckily it picked up again, allowing all five races to conclude in light yet manageable conditions.

The racing featured strong performances across four different classes. Home member Pip Hudson, alongside his daughter Alice in their Flying Fifteen, excelled, earning three firsts and two seconds (one of which was discarded). Boats from Fishers Green did equally well, with Blake Newman in an Aero, Richard Coultes in a Solo, and Simon Williams in a Laser finishing in the top ranks. Godfrey Clarke, another Fishers Green sailor and former Broxbourne member, also performed well in his Solo but unfortunately encountered trouble with two protests in other races.

Saturday evening brought the clubhouse alive with festivities. After changing out of sailing gear, attendees donned cowboy boots and Stetsons for a lively Line Dancing event. The evening began with a delicious hog roast, enjoyed outdoors on the patio, with timely shelter from the rain. Line dancing proved a fun challenge for many, and the sounds of country music added a relaxing vibe. The highlight was the cake-cutting ceremony by Vice Commodore Sarah Samiotis, featuring a beautifully decorated centenary cake crafted by Jackie Eaton. The night concluded with a spectacular firework display, set off from the pontoon.

Attendees returned on Sunday morning to the delectable aroma of bacon and eggs cooking. Some guests had stayed overnight in camper vans, making for a delightful start to the day. The Sunday race crew prepared for two additional races, benefiting from improving weather conditions. The day’s racing continued under the sun, presenting a much-appreciated taste of summer.

After the races, more celebrations unfolded with an afternoon tea format, inviting past members to join in the festivities. The prize-giving ceremony preceded the tea, with trophies and wine awarded to winners and runners-up. Speeches were brief but heartfelt, with Robin Fletcher expressing gratitude to everyone who contributed to organizing and maintaining the club’s pristine condition. Special thanks were due to Sarah, who orchestrated the event alongside her husband Tony, providing scrumptious meals and refreshments throughout the weekend.

The evening rounded out with a nostalgic look back at memorabilia, photographs, and trophies, including a notable moment for two elderly past members as they reminisced about their names on the club’s prestigious solid silver Cup presented by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1926.

Overall, the weekend was a joyous celebration and a fitting tribute to Broxbourne Sailing Club’s 100 years. The club looks forward to the next century of sailing activities.

Upcoming events include the annual Regatta on 7th and 8th of September, with visitors warmly welcomed. For more details, visit broxbournesailingclub.co.uk.