Solway Yacht Club held their annual open day at Kippford on Sunday.
In beautiful spring sunshine with a light southwesterly breeze, more than 220 visitors – aged from 23 months to over 80-year-olds – came from across the UK to take part.
A warm welcome was given by club members to visitors who wanted to sample the facilities both on and off the water.
Kippford has been described by the Kippford Village Association as a “hidden gem” and seeing it from the sea shows the scenic village at its best. As the tide lapped gently onto the shore, the many highly contrasting features of the seafront buildings were shown off at their best.
Boat rides out into Rough Firth, even as far as round Hestan Island, were available in large sailing cruisers, rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and not least the club’s sailboats powered only by the wind.
Nine Cadets also underwent sail training in similar dinghies. These included dinghy types such as Toppers, Picos. Fevas, a Buzz and a Bahia. Boat names of these include “Picoboo”, “Nightfeva”, “Discofeva”, “I think I have a Feva” and Charlotte”.
After sailing, for those who went out in boats and also for those who did not go afloat, a great welcome was made to one and all in the clubhouse.
Here they enjoyed tea, coffee, soft drinks and a delicious variety of home-made cakes showing off the excellent baking skills of many of the club’s members.
The previous day, 10 large yachts and powerboats – the club’s “Solway Armada” – had sailed to Whitehaven for a special social weekend at Whitehaven Marina. On Sunday this fleet returned to Kippford. This was a special event for the club, re-establishing the long-standing tradition of “Cruising in Company” which has been for going for many years.
The next most important event for the club is the honour of hosting the 2023 Scottish National Flying Fifteen Championship when boats of this class from all over the country will race competitively on the River Urr during an entire weekend.
