CRUISING ASSOCIATION

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The ‘first-timer’ video is presented by Laurence Mead, Cowes Week Regatta Director

The Cruising Association and Cowes Week organisers have teamed up to produce a ‘first-timer’ video for those thinking of racing for the first time. Packed with helpful information the video, presented by Laurence Mead Cowes Week Regatta Director, discusses everything from insurance to the starting line. The video will prove equally helpful for owners and skippers who regularly race and may be introducing new crew to Cowes Week.

The Cruising Association is proud to be partnering with Cowes Week for the second year as presenting trophy sponsor for the Club Cruiser Class, which made its debut in 2021. Taking place from 30 July - 5 August, Cowes Week is the pre-eminent regatta week in the UK with racing on the world-renowned Solent courses and an après sail programme that makes sure the fun continues long after the racing finishes.

Watch the video at www.theca.org.uk/news/cowesweek-first-timer-video.

“Many of our members enjoy the thrill of competition as well as more leisurely time cruising,” said Lucy Gray, CA General Manager. “We hope this video will be a useful guide for those racing for the first time, demystify competing and encourage more entries in the Club Cruiser Class.”

“We consulted with our members and lined up a pile of questions that are likely to crop up for new competitors,” continued Lucy. “The video is intended as a ‘walk through’ of what to expect.”

Both the CA and Cowes Week organisers are excited to encourage the new racing division for cruising sailors, with the Club Cruiser Class dedicated to genuine cruising boats who also enjoy the thrill of competition. “We are delighted that the Cruising Association is again working with us at Cowes Week to bring the Club Cruiser Class to the attention of more sailors,” added Laurence Mead. “The Cruising Association Trophy was won by ‘Chameleon of Cowes’ last year and the challenge is there to win it off them! Cowes Week is an eclectic mix of racing and socialising, a 196-year-old tradition that is as much about having fun with your friends as it is about hard-core racing.” In 2021, the Club Cruiser Class featured a broad line-up of popular cruising yachts, including Bavaria, Beneteau, Carter, Dehler, Dufour, Sigma, Westerly and Folkboat, and so far this year entries include a Rustler 33, Finngulf 33, First 285 and Super Seal 26. The event format is one race per day, with several starts off the iconic Royal Yacht Squadron line. Entries are open at www.cowesweek.co.uk.

LEFT: The Club Cruiser Class Trophy

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Renowned author Duncan Wells enjoyed reading and watching the many written, vlog and photographic entries before choosing the best for the 2021 Log Competition.

Massive congratulations to the winners who received their awards and prizes from yacht designer Rob Humphreys: ■ Hanson Cup - best log of a cruise of any duration / Bjorn Riis-Johannessen ■ The Love Cup - best log of a cruise under 30 days / Peter Bell ■ Dugon Cup - best log from a vessel up to 32ft LOA / Alison Cable ■ The Lacey Trophy - best member’s blog or website / Richard Crooks and Alix Titley ■ Dolphin Cup - best photographic log / James Kenning ■ The osCA - sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston for best video / Graham Keating

Watch Graham Keating’s winning osCA video on transiting the Crinan Canal in Scotland, which is hugely informative for those considering this trip, at youtu.be/50DXzuHNd0g. Sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston, Graham received the osCA Trophy and a GoPro camera.

Read the full news story at www.theca.org.uk/news/ca-2021log-comp-winners in the UK and abroad, it is easy to become a member of the CA and join these fun events:

■ 6 - 8 May / Solent Section Fitting Out Rally, Shepards Wharf Marina, Cowes ■ 8 - 17 June / Cross-Channel Rally and cruise-in-company to visit the Channel Islands and France with two flotilla starting points, Dartmouth or Yarmouth ■ 12 - 19 June / Nicholas Hill Memorial Rally and cruise-incompany from Bagenkop to Nyborg in Denmark ■ 17 - 18 August / British Fireworks Championship Meet-Up, Plymouth Find out more at www.theca.org.uk/calendar.

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The Cruising Association is at the heart of the world’s sail and motor cruising community as a leading provider of trustworthy knowledge and information. We support and represent our 6,400 plus members across all aspects of their cruising. But did you know… ■ CA Resources: CA members have access to a vast range of expert cruising knowledge and resources through our website - theca.org. uk – including publications, lectures, seminars, forums, library and videos which share information on passage planning and pilotage, lay-up directories, local regulations, meteorology, cruising reports, logs and blogs and more. Try a taste, with a few selected videos available for non-members at www.theca.org.uk/ public/videos. ■ CA Library: If you enjoy printed books and charts, then our CA Library and Information Centre will be your nirvana. The CA Library is the largest of its kind in the world, containing a highly acclaimed collection of maritime material, with a particular focus on sail and motor cruising. Situated on the first floor of CA House in Limehouse, London, the members’ library holds a collection of more than 10,000 books, charts and pilot guides. ■ CAptain’s Mate: This is our exclusive to members app providing an unrivalled breadth of information and cruising reports covering more than 6,500 locations around the world and packed with up-to-date, accurate and informative location data on anchorages, marinas, ports, harbours, boatyards and quays.The app’s worldwide coverage reflects our international membership, with 20,000+ member contributions and reports across 77+ countries offering first-hand insights and practical knowledge on locations and local interest. Developed by our members for our members, CAptain’s Mate app stands out as trusted by the cruising community. The app is accurate, is reviewed by our team of editors and is free from any commercial influence. Find out more at www.theca.org.uk/ public/captainsmate. ■ Refer a Friend: Do you know a CA member? Then ask them to refer you to join the CA and reward yourself with a 25 per cent discount off the full membership fee of £143.50 when paying by direct debit. Your friend will also receive £20 to spend in the CA shop and automatic entry into our monthly prize draw, which for May is an Icom Handheld VHF Radio worth £140. ■ CA Almanac Corrections: Subscribe to our free service of monthly updates to the CA Cruising Almanac which take into account Notices to Mariners, changes to buoyage and lights and other new developments at www. theca.org.uk/almanac/corrections. Nick Nottingham won the annual Almanac Photo Competition with a stunning photo of Tinker’s Hole on the island of Mull which will feature on the 2023 Cruising Almanac.

■ Free News: Stay in touch and sign up to for a bite-sized edition of our quarterly magazine Cruising and newsletters at www.theca.org.uk/ public/cruising.