The Caribbean is about to host the latest must attend event in the world surfing circuit. The first edition of the MARTINIQUE SURF PRO will take place from the 21st to 26th April, as part of the World Surf League Qualification Series (QS). Around a hundred competitors are expected to turn up in this magical location in Martinique, for a great sporting, musical and cultural event that must not be missed.
Read more: 2015 Martinique Surf Pro: The Martinique leg of...
A trio of key speakers will address a global audience to demonstrate how inspiration and innovation can increase participation and generate business success. Olympic Gold Medallist Iain Percy OBE will welcome delegates from around the world to the International Sailing Summit (ISS) on 17 November 2014 and record-breaking quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister and Rod Carr, Chairman of UK Sport will headline the Gala Dinner.
Read more: Olympian Iain Percy backs participation drive in...
Busy day of racing at the 2012 Paralympic Games Regatta! The Sonar class pumped out 3 races in an effort to catch up and the other two SKUD 18 classes (2.4mR & SKUD) both completed 2 races on this second last day of competition. While podium spots are already guaranteed for some countries, others will have to give their everything to earn those elusive top three positions. The battle continued in the 2.4mR today. According to ifds reports, Lucas (GBR) was well back in 13th place on part of the first leg of the first race but the only woman in the fleet must have been even more disappointed when reigning Olympic champion Paul Tingley (CAN) arrived at the first mark to slip ahead of her.
Its been no vacation for our Paralympic Sailors this weekend. All three fleets have completed a 6 of 11 races already. The event started on Saturday and they now have three days of racing completed with three more to go. 2.4M - Our Gold Medalist for Beijing - Paul Tingley - has shown some flashes of brilliance but has really been having a tough event. His is sitting in 5th overall with 5 races to go. With 30 points, he is only 10 points out of 3rd but it will not be an easy margin to make up. So far his finishes have been 6, 7, 2, 10,9, and 6.
The London 2012 Paralympic Games are set to get underway tomorrow. Over the past few days, the Canadian Paralympic Sailing team has had training, measuring, opening ceremonies and now a practice race under their belts. It has been a very busy week and year for sure but the preparation is now done! There were a variety of conditions for practice racing with the SKUD and 2.4's sailing in the morning race. Winds ranged from very light, three knots up to 8-10kts with 90 degrees of compass change. The team looked strong on the water today helping them get rid of the jitters before tomorrow.
The Canadian Yachting Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Cook to the new position of Development Team Manager. Chris is a high performing Finn sailor who finished 5th in the 2008 Olympic Games and had numerous , podium finishes at International and North American based championships including a recent Bronze Medal finish at the World Cup Event in Palma in 2012. Chris was on target to compete in his 2nd games this year until struck by illness in the final trial. His immediate support for his fellow Finn sailor, Greg Douglas, who benefitted most from Chris’s withdrawal, was a display of his high quality sportsmanship.
Read more: Olympian Chris Cook joins CYA High Performance...
Paul Tingley isn't in London to "defend" his Paralympic Games sailing title. Make no mistake about it - the 42-year-old from Halifax believes he's more than capable of repeating as the champion of the 2.4mR class he mastered in 2008 in Beijing. He's done everything possible to get ready for his fourth Paralympic competition, including training with Swedish coach Stellan Berlin in waters off the English coast to prepare himself for the conditions he'll face in the days to come. But defence doesn't seem to be in the playbook of the sailor nicknamed The Gambler in some circles for his penchant for taking risks - many of which tend to pay off in a big way.
“The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” When he spoke these words, Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, recognized as the founder of the modern Olympic Games, could not have envisaged that the initial event with nine sports and 14 nations would grow to include 33 sports, 200 nations, and 13,000 athletes. Nor could he have foreseen the multi-million dollar industry that the Olympics would become or that the triumph would become more important than the struggle – at least in the eyes of those who provide the majority of funding.
Only 2 days before the Paralympics kick off and the Canadians are well prepared! The sailing Canadian Paralympic Sailors team have arrived in Weymouth and had a few days to practice with their competition to get their boats completely tuned and ready to race. Team Leader Brian Todd sends in a report as of Sunday.
The rain stopped and the sun came out in Weymouth today, which set up for an excellent day of training. The Sonar, Skud and 2.4 all spent a full day on the water in one of the few remaining days to get the boat and rig tuned and ready for the Games.
Chester Race Week ended with glorious sun and good wind. The competitors were happy with the race management and the evening parties, which didn't start until 9:30 and were extremely well attended with 3 great local bands and wonderful Dark 'n Stormies at the bar. Sound like fun? Why not put it on your calendar for next year and come on down to Nova Scotia to enjoy the saltwater, great seafood, wonderful hospitality, and fabulous racing in Mahone Bay... a heck of a lot of sailors already do!
Destinations
Blind Channel Resort
One of my favourite places
By Marianne Scott
Sailing north of Desolation Sound, the Discovery Islands and the Broughton Archipelago offer cruisers a bevy islands with ample anchorages. Tides cause swift currents to run through the islands’ waterways. Few marinas are found in this large, sparsely populated region but one that provides all the services boaters need and especially enjoy is Blind Channel, a marina and resort operated by the Richter family located on Mayne Passage on the east side of West Thurlow Island (50 24. 82N, 125 30. 00).
Read more about the Blind Channel Resort...
Lifestyle
Glenmore Sailing Club
By Katherine Stone
When I was young, I used to love watching westerns on TV.
I think my favourite program was Bonanza. I would rush home after school, get my homework done, clean up the dishes, and then I would watch the ol’ West come alive with those three handsome, funny brothers who thrived on adventure.
At the time, I thought that the adventuresome West - and the pioneers who could handle just about anything thrown their way - was the stuff of make-believe.
Read more about the Glenmore Sailing Club...
Boat Reviews
Beneteau Swift Trawler 47
By Andy Adams
You might look at the pictures of the new Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 and think that this is not a “performance boat”, but I think it certainly is, and here is why; it can top out at 30 mph to get you from A to B quickly or to beat the weather in, so it’s pretty fast, but it can also loaf along doing 1,250 rpm making 9.3 mph and at that pace, it travels 2.4 miles on a gallon of fuel. That’s great performance in my books!
With a light displacement of almost 28,000 lbs, this is a big boat. In fact, it looks and feels more like a small ship than a big boat.
Read more about the Swift Trawler 47......
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 Wins The “european Yacht Of The Year Awards” 2019
By Andy Adams and John Armstrong
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1When Beneteau introduced their new Oceanis 46.1, they were inspired by the fact that their previous Oceanis 45 was one of Beneteau’s best sellers and the new 46.1 had to be a clearly superior boat. The Oceanis range is about space and comfort for cruising while still delivering strong performance.
The yachting world has now recognized the Oceanis 46.1 as being just such a worthy successor. On January 19th, 2019, the Oceanis 46.1 won the highly regarded title of European Yacht of the Year in the “Family Cruiser” category.
Read More about the Oceanis 46.1......
DIY & How to
Sea to Sky now RYA recognized training centre
Sea to Sky Sailing has just been approved as the only Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognized training centre on the west coast of North America just in time to deliver an epic 2019 season!
“This transition from our previous International Yacht Training (IYT) certification to RYA is a huge benefit to our students as it provides them certification that is known globally as the gold standard for yacht training. The RYA requires training centres to undergo annual inspections of their vessels, business practices and training delivery in order to maintain a strong standard and guarantee a high quality experience for students.
Read More about Sea to Sky Sailing......
Marine Products
Zipwake controls ride
Featuring advanced, intuitive 3D controls, Zipwake Dynamic Trim Control Systems deliver a more comfortable ride, better performance and improved fuel consumption for any boat from 20 to 60 feet, regardless of the type of vessel or the sea conditions. Offering unmatched control of running trim, heel or heading, the system incorporates patented, durable fast-acting interceptors that provide efficient lift. Installation of the modular unit is simple with four different size blades allowing a near full beam arrangement.
Read more about Zipwake...
Making the leap from landlubber to a life at Sea
Gina de Vere approached me at the Canadian Yachting booth at this year’s Vancouver International Boat Show and introduced me to her book Blue Water Women. Listening to her, it took only a few moments to see her passion for sailing and her joy in sharing her experiences.
In her own words: “This book is for the young and young at heart who yearn for adventure. It is written for those women considering a life-changing direction and those seeking a career at sea. It is not an instruction book, but you will learn from the experience of other blue water women what you need to know to have your own adventures.”
Read more about Blue Water Women...
