|
Published:
August 1st, 2008
Final preparations underway for Burnham's illuminated boats sail-by
 Final
preparations are underway for tonight's (Friday August 1st) illuminated
procession of boats, which will mark the start of the town's annual
sailing regatta.
This
year, tide and daylight timings will test the Sailing Club's yacht
and boat skippers to the limit.
Full tide is just before 8pm, and the sun will not set before
9pm, so the yachts will be illuminated from 9.30pm and will have
to negotiate the shallow entrance to the River Brue to regain
access to the moorings and pontoons with the water level at less
than two metres.
The Sailing Club Commodore's yacht, 'Matilda of Bristol', will
be stationed some distance out from the town jetty and the illuminated
yachts will pass to the port and starboard of the yacht and dip
their lights as they pass.
"The test of skill will come when the yachts with deep drafts
make their way back to their moorings," John Clist, Commodore,
told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
He added: "Burnham Sailing Club's Sailing Master, Ken Sowdon,
has worked extremely hard in organising the yachts and ensuring
that they have lit navigation back into the River Brue. He has
also ensured that there is maximum time on the water following
sunset and sufficient water under their keels."
"I will be the last boat in," added John, who said that
an anchor, sufficient sleeping bags and food and drink will all
be onboard just in case he is unable to get back. "My yacht
has a two metre draft so it will be 'touch and go' getting her
back to her berth."
Even with the testing timings, it is hoped that the Illuminated
craft will provide another breathtaking display.
A
busy line-up of activities will follow over the ten days of Burnham's
2008 Regatta. This Saturday (August 2nd) will see several yacht
races, along with the annual Seafarer's Lunch at Burnham Sailing
Club from 12-2pm. There will also be instructed walks along the
River Brue Arts Trail by local artists.
 On
Sunday (August 3rd), the Environment Agency will hold a fishing
day and exhibition at Apex Lakes from 9.30am-4.30pm.
On
the same day, the Sailing Club will hold 'Captain Blackbeard's
Barbecue' from 1pm, which will include a best dressed pirate competition!
A
fancy dress tender race (pictured right) will be held in the evening
and the Brue Arts Trail will be open all day.
Throughout
the week of August 4th-8th, a community painting session will
take place at Burnham Sailing Club when a giant mural will be
created by passers-by.
Burnham's
annual ESCAPE Day (pictured below) will also be part of this year's
regatta and will be held on Saturday August 9th.
 Organised
by BARB, the day will be held on the town's seafront and include
demonstrations and activities by emergency services from across
Somerset. It will start at 10am and finish at 5pm.
The Sailing Club will also hold a 'try a sail day' from 11.30am
on August 9th, which will be followed in the evening by a pig
roast at the Sailing Club.
The
busy regatta will come to a close on Sunday August 10th with further
sailing races, culminating with a prize-giving ceremony at 4pm
at the Sailing Club.
Mr
Clist told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "This year's event looks sure
to be another fun-packed one."
Full
details of the event's schedule - including a review of last year's
event - are available on the regatta's official website here.
RELATED
LINKS:
Official Burnham-On-Sea
Regatta Website
|
