Yahoo News Galloway Activity Centre hosts 21st edition of Five Castles Regatta
School pupils from across the region took part in the 21st anniversary edition of the Five Castles Regatta recently at Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken.
The collaborative event involved volunteers and resources from Annandale Sailing Club and Kippford-based Solway Yacht Club, with staff and equipment from GAC and sponsorship by the Common Thread Group.
The regatta has long been an important event at the end of the summer term. It enables young people from schools across Dumfries and Galloway to come together to compete in a team-racing sailing championship or to enjoy other activities and games, on and off the water.
Young people from Stranraer Academy, Dalbeattie High School, Dumfries Academy, Dumfries High School, St Joseph’s College and Lockerbie Academy came together to compete in teams of three sailors in single-handed Pico racing dinghies in a round-robin regatta.
The weather forecasts had predicted a good southerly breeze and the race officer’s team were out on the water early setting out a suitable course to test the young sailor’s skills. They were lucky with the weather and the wind did indeed stay fairly steady all day, with winds varying between 10mph and 18mph.
The winds fully tested the young people’s boat-handling skills and even the most experienced were sometimes pushed. There were several capsizes but very few which required support from the powered rescue boats in attendance to watch over the young people’s safety.
In a tribute to their courage and determination, all of those who capsized carried on and completed their races.
Generally, the standard of sailing was high with the ability to read the small wind shifts when tacking upwind being at a premium, resulting in some very competitive racing.
In one race, four of the six boats in the race finished within one or two boat lengths.
At the end of the round-robin phase, the total points for each team were summed with the lowest total score heading the league. The schedule had allowed for a final race-off in case the top two teams were tied on points. Given that the day was cool with the windchill factor, and the water colder, it was perhaps fortunate a race-off was not necessary and the racers were able to get off the water and enjoy a welcome game of laserquest before the prize-giving.
Last year the girls team from Dalbeattie High School had won the regatta. This year it was the turn of the Dalbeattie boys team to take the honours.
Results: 1 Dalbeattie High A team 40pts; 2 Dalbeattie High B team 47pts; 3 Dumfries Academy/Dumfries High 48pts; 4 St Joseph’s College/Lockerbie Academy 59 pts; 5 Stranraer Academy A 66pts.
While the Five Castles has its serious side, one of the prime objectives is to get as many kids as possible out in the fresh air enjoying physical activity. GAC staff ensure that that is achieved in abundance.
