Regatta 2021: Report, Results & Photos

We were delighted that the 2021 Port Navas Regatta went ahead.  It was all looking a bit grim early on Saturday with strong gusting winds, overcast grey sky and squalls of rain.  At that point a lot of us were wondering weather (delib typo) we had done the right thing.  But by lunchtime the rain had stopped and didn’t return and we even had the sun regularly peeking out between the clouds for the rest of the afternoon. So more than good enough!

We estimate about 350 people attended which was fantastic given the very limited advertising we had done.  It felt very local and very joyful.  Wonderful to see families with kids of all ages turning up, mask free in the fresh air, to take part.  We had a limited number of games and running events in the field but they were all a great success.  

Look at the concentration on their faces!

Steve did a fabulous job marshalling boats and kayaks on the Cook’s pontoon.

Amongst the racing on the water Sam Winfrey had a great regatta and left with the overall junior trophy – great job Sam. Phil Badger and Jill Pascoe won the hotly contested mixed pairs.

Tom and Coralie Green came a very credible second in the blindfold race after an appalling start (in last place in the picture below). The race was won by Zoe and Jacqui Freeman.

The fun race was spectacular – see the short video clip below – with 12 boats with on average 5 people in each boat meaning we had some 60+ people, mostly but not exclusively kids and teenagers, racing with no oars to collect a duck and bring it back to the quay.

We also had the return of The Greasy Pole, now named It’s A Knock Off. Thanks so much to Joe (the winner) Euan, Finn and Charile for volunteering to be our test dummies for this year. There is a short video of the event on the website. We learnt a few lessons and next year we’ll have a number of individual fights including a wife vs husband, a vets matchup and a couple of mixed “yoof” head to heads (ie girls and boys).

The event ended with The Oggeymen singing fabulous songs in the PNYC car park.  A HUGE thanks to Rob Norman and all the boys for gracing us with their marvellous singing.

All in all it was a perfect way to finish the 2021 Port Navas Regatta. 

Heartfelt thanks also to all those volunteers who gave time in some many ways to help get the Regatta up and running:As well as the committee this included Fran Ford, Sara Clark, Max Hart, Beth and Dan Turling, Jules Bennett and her squad for all the young kids events in the field, Andrew Spinks, Henry Shaw on the water, Chris for lending us the use of the field and for helping with the greasy pole, Nikki Jones, Nick and Val Roper, Mel Chambers, Hannah Darling and Dave Tully, James Philipps, The Haigh boys, Antonia Ellemann,  Richard Turner, Lee and Anne Frost with the calendar, The Sailing Trust for their help with boats, Gaye Tiptaft, Sally Thomas for her flags, Jeff and Tiffa Meadows, Joe and Lauren at The Boat House, The Duchy for use of The Oyster Quay, Dinyan for use of their garden and steps for the Row & Run, The Garmans for the safety boat, assorted Bootes for the prize boat, Andy and Melissa Cook, George Brew, Dilys Gardner, Daisy Griffith, James Hodge, Peter Jones, Anna McLaren, West Country Foods for the coconuts, The Mainbrace Rum team and Richard Blake and Yallah Coffee for doing everything at cost. And thanks for all those who offered to help with the cake and tea stall – this will be back to normal for 2022.  Couldn’t do it without all this help. (If I have missed anyone off this list of thanks it’s my fault and please let me know because we’d love to have your help again – admin@pnyc.co.uk)

If you would like to lend a hand next year, in any capacity, please just email cate.jones@btinternet.com

Tom Ellemann on behalf of The Regatta Committee