Cometh they all from far and wide to “The Gathering” 2013

Cometh they all from far and wide to “The Gathering” 2013 at the International Sea Scout Regatta on Broadmeadow waters in North County Dublin. Our overseas guests started to arrive at Dublin Airport from late Thursday night through to early Friday morning.

Back in late 2012 and after a visit to the National Scout forum in Belgium, two scout leaders Kate O’Farrell and Colum McCaffrey of the Malahide Sea Scout group came up with the idea to have an International Sea Scout Regatta as part of “The Gathering” 2013.

The day started early on Saturday 24th August as the first crews meeting takes place.58 sailors from home and abroad checked in. Race officer of the day Alan Johns of Malahide Yacht Club gave briefings on the schedule courses and local rules. The forecast was for light winds but Broadmeadow waters with its low hinterland gave a very competitive force 4 and the crews had to work harder to find the best wind and keep up with the fleet.

The 16 Topaz dinghies’ slipped into the water and all races began with a 3 minute warning gun and then followed by the starter’s gun.  The four group races drawn for the regatta were a team race, BP”18” race, a leaders race and finally the qualifier for the Koch Cup. The Qualifier from this race get to represent Sea Scouting from Ireland in next year’s Koch Cup held on Long Beach, California USA.

 

The winners of the regatta race were 9^th Port Malahide (Friday) , leaders race Vinnie Varley 9^th Port Malahide(Friday) and finally qualifiers for Koch Cup Gemma McDowell and Sarah McKernan 9^th Port Malahide (Neala).

The regatta was a great success that will have long lasting memories from our fellow sea scouts from abroad. Thank you Commodore Bob Sugrue, Vice Commodore Graham Smith and race officer of the day Alan Johns of the Malahide Yacht Club for use of their club house on the beautiful Broad meadow. To our many helpers and sponsors  Irish Sailing Association ,Marie and Seamus O’Farrell, The Gathering 2013  , Scouting Ireland ,Shiels of Yellow Walls, the Scout Shop , Stephanie Mc Cann ,Gearoid O’Riain,and Kevin Rowan of the Sea Scout Team, our home and overseas sailors from Belgium, Denmark, our International Commissioner Christy McCann and Chief Scout Michael J Shennick.

Official Photo Album HERE