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Gurnard Regatta 2010

2010 saw an effort to make a start at reinstating the "Gurnard Regatta" community event to its former glory. There are some great pictures of Gurnard Regatta in the 1930's in the sailing club, and it is believed that the event hadn't been staged since the 1950's!

Gurnard Sailing Club asked Gurnard Parish Council to partner in the project and it was decided to give it a go - a working party was formed to work on the project in November 2009, and the date was set for the 1st such "new" event of Saturday 14th August 2010 with a "pirate" theme.

Weather is always such an important factor for outside events, and there cannot be a contingency plan for an event like this! August has been renowned of late for being pretty awful, and the forecast the day before was not that promising. However, once the early morning rain had cleared away the day continued to brighten up into full sunshine by mid-afternoon - we were well blessed!

There were events on the Village Green and on the water - as a bit of fun a record was kept of the day, which is below:

 

 

 

The workers met for a "healthy" breakfast before setting up 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Rebels - the skull & crossbones! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is that upside down?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pirate Ship in the play area also came in for the treatment - is that Georgie being "the rebel"? 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Or are these two the real culprits? 

 

 

    

 

 

 

There was candy floss in the sailing club grounds 

 

 

    

 

 

 

And Steve Cole brought his PA gear with him - I think he's camera shy! 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The Pirate workshop was very popular 

 

     

 

 

 

 

And all ages joined in under the caring guidance of Anna and Jo 

 

    

 

 

 

Helped by Mum of course!

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our face painter was kept very busy - scary foundation going on!

 

 

   

 

 

 

One very elegant pirate 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Then they were judged on both costume and face painting 

 

 

 

   

 

 

And there were prizes (well, for everyone actually!) 

 

 

 

 

 

The RNLI kindly came too - and ran a "get-your-kit-on" competition 
One family proved very competitive - seen here "limbering up"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do I really have to put these on too?

 

 

   

 

 

Even the youngster is keeping up! Have they done this before?

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Phew! But, did they win - they look confident! 

 

 

    

 

 

 

A bouncy castle is always popular - huge thanks to the Watersedge Restaurant for sponsoring the hire and insurance of this!

 

 

    

 

 

Gurnard Scouts & Guides came too - discussing their plan of action! 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Promotion of course! 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Starting to look like a raft-builders yard 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Kayak racing got underway 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

What does the maritime "rule of the road" have to say about who gives way to who then? Oh, well, never mind! 

 

 

    

 

 

Some "big boys" played too! 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Very gracious as he came in last 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Mum and Toddlers too! 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Ever heard of a "cork scramble"? (I hadn't!) See who can grab the most!

 

 

 

   

 

 

Standby! 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Go - absolute bedlam! 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Swimming races too - out to a marker buoy and back again 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Nah! Changed my mind - don't want to do this. 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Ah! The Scouts & Guides have finished - the raft is about to be launched - this will be used to rescue the Princess who has been kidnapped in a boat by an evil pirate.

 

 

 

   

 

 

And there is the Princess - is she is distress?  Who is that evil pirate?

 

 

 

   

 

 

The chase is on! 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Caught the blagard, but can the Princess escape his clutches? 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Not very gallant rescuers - the Princess is in the drink!

 

 

 

 

 

We've all heard of tug of wars - but kayak tug of wars? Under starter's orders!

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

And they're off 

 

   

 

 

Working hard, but it looks as though the starter is about to rule in favour of the other team! 

 

 

 

  A great day as it turned out, and a good time was had by all by all accounts.  People came and went, but it is estimated that between 200 and 300 people visited during the day. It was hoped people would bring family picnics with them to enjoy on the Village Green but this didn't happen, perhaps because the weather didn't look that promising at the start of the day.

Many thanks to all those who helped make it what it was - especially to those who saw a need for help on the day and just mucked in.

The Steering Group made a start on the 2011 event on 10th March 2011 - the event takes place on Saturday 20th August on the Village Green and on Gurnard Beach - do come along!