Sailing Events in 2009

 

The 2009 seasons’ sailing programme was heavily disrupted by the continued adverse weather we endured in 2009 which ruined most peoples’ sailing.

 

A few events occurred such as a trip to Antrim from Thursday July 30th until Sunday August 2nd. The event went well and was very well organised, a wonderful venue with much more permanent support for gigs than we have here. A social event was the trip to Cresswell Quay for the stalwart crew who topped up on victuals and ale! (see photo gallery ) .

 

The main event of the year was  the return trip to Morbihan. Please see this article by Tim Arthur for the Western Telegraph.

 

Pembrokeshire’s flotilla of traditional boats returns from challenging French waters

 

Following the links established between the sailors of Brittany and the Tall Ships Wales Trust, over 100 sailors from West Wales returned recently from the celebrated Semaine du Golfe international festival of traditional vessels in Brittany, where they attended as the Foreign Delegation Guests of Honour.

 

Flagship of the Flotilla of the 27 traditional boats that represented Pembrokeshire was the County’s own ‘mini Tall Ship’,  the replica 18th century warship’s Gig Cwch John Kerr, built at the Pembrokeshire College MITEC at Milford Haven.    The local boats that sailed to South Brittany in some difficult conditions included the gaff cutter Happy Quest, built and owned by the Chairman of the Tall Ships Wales Trust, David Grainger, the 1913 Lowestoft Trawler Keewaydin , the Dutch Ketch Chiranga, and the Bermudan sloops, Fawn of Chichester, Carina and Mischief .

 

The John Kerr joined a flotilla of some 20 other French and Spanish gigs to sail or row through the beautiful yet challenging waters of the Morbihan  - a vast tidal gulf on the Bay of Biscay.   Each day boats of similar type formed separate flotillas to cruise or race to one of 15 different host towns or islands where enthusiastic local communities had put together special receptions, programmes of traditional music, and exhibitions.  Coming a close second to the exhilarating sailing was the traditional food; oysters, freshly smoke fish, local stews and crepes and an abundance of local wine all rejuvenated the sailors before the haul to the next port of call.  

 

The final day saw the entire fleet combined in a grand parade as. gigs, gaffers, tall ships, classic yachts, and traditional working boats all proceeded in a mass of sail towards the port of Vannes.   Pride of place at the town quay was given to Pembrokeshire’s flotilla alongside other historic working boats.

 

Mrs Sara Browning, Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Gig Association, spent the week on the Golfe with the 13-strong crew of the John Kerr. She told the Telegraph  

“ This event was a fantastic opportunity for local people of all ages to attend a great international maritime event and enjoy the thrill of handling a traditional boat in wonderful company.  Throughout, the hospitality of our French hosts was overwhelming”  

 

Tim Arthur,  19.06.09