A Day at the Seaside
Published 11:36am on 9 Jun 2026
Round nine of the 2025/26 North East and Yorkshire Youth Sailing Association series was held at Filey on Saturday 6th June. A sizable Pennine Sailing Club contingent turned out for this trip to the seaside.
The forecast had been looking edgy all week, but six intrepid sailors turned out to see what the elemental gods had to offer. Dexter (ILCA), Bea (Topper), Agnes (Topper), Emily (ILCA), Alex (ILCA), and Fred (ILCA) were all very keen, if also a little daunted.
Weather on the day was distinctly breezy (some 12kts or so), with half a metre of swell and choppy surf. The wind funnelling up the access road did nothing to steady the nerves on arrival, but Colin was on hand to give sage advice.
The event was a little delayed in getting underway, not least because launching the powerboats through the surf was a game of boat or submarine? That delay was not entirely unwelcome, for one family, given a crisis on the morning about a (the) missing sail, and a detour via the club to try and find it!
All launched on time through the surf and the RO waited to ensure everyone was able to make the start line. Unfortunately, Alex was the first to retire. He proved the lie to the adage: when its windy, how much down haul in an ILCA? - more! His mast popped out of the top of the aged emergency sail he was using and he was declared Hercules! He came back in, thrilled, but disappointed. No spare could be found to get him back on the water. He took to his happy place bodyboarding to salve the frustration and joined in with the hard working recovery crew.
Given the surf and a lee shore to contend with, the steady trickle of retirees kept the beach party busy; making sure of the safe recovery of tired kids, boats and errant parts back to terra firma.
Emily finished third on the day, completing all four (back to back) races - a great result! The rest of the PSC contingent had been content to call it a day as energy, or boat parts dictated. Many of them were out on the sea for the first time, so an epic experience! Once warm and fed, everyone had a smile on their face and an eagerness to do it all over again!
North East and Yorkshire Youth Sailing Association https://www.neyysa.org/
Next event: Ulley on 13th June.
Pennine Sailing club: 27th June.
After this the end of this 2025/26 series in July, it all starts again for the 2026/27 series Sunderland YC 5th September.
Last updated 11:38am on 9 June 2026