Scottish RS Feva race training at Royal Tay Yacht Club
by Jon Ewer 17 Sep 03:08 PDT
21-22 September 2024
Scottish RS Feva race training at Royal Tay © Jon Ewer
As the Summer, such has it has been, draws to a close, the eyes of the Scottish Feva community are thoroughly fixed on the RYA Scotland's National Academy programme, starting on 21/22 September. Leading to a Scottish Hosted Nationals event to be held at Dalgety Bay.
As a wonderful warm up to the winter training events, the biggest get together of Scottish Feva Sailors (probably ever!) took place with 16 boats taking to the water from the picturesque Royal Tay Yacht Club. With a line up of fantastic coaches, some fast flowing water, and one of the nicest clubhouses I have yet been to, the weekend deserved good winds and sunny skies.
As the stillest morning I think I've ever seen in Scotland dawned on the Saturday, I was considering making a run for the hills whilst the coaches tried to entertain 32 eager young sailors with no wind. The forecast, however, did not let us down and at 1000, on cue, the wind started to build and didn't really let up for the rest of the day!
The coaching team, led by Graeme Rowe and Jamie Rogers put the sailors through their paces - not many of them used to the ripping tide of the Tay. Superbly hosted by RTYC, the sailors were kept fuelled by a friendly catering team, whilst the parents ashore went to hunt for the Champagne that had been offered when the coaches promised champagne sailing in the briefing!
Tired, happy and off the water at 1630, the sailors and parents (56 in total!) then had the luxury of a curry and pizza buffet with lots of chat and karaoke from the sailors. Team Feva does like a social!
Sunday got a bit more serious with some sprint races in the morning followed by some longer runs in the afternoon. Cicely Blair and Emilia Ewer were leading the pack by lunch time before kite issues reared their head and they began to fade. A tight competition then raged between the Ritchie brothers and Joshua Allison and Oscar Unger before the former won out.
Although racing is a big part of this wonderful sport, it is the fun, friendships, teamwork, smiles and the sense of community that make this great group of kids standout from the crowd. With the Scottish Feva Fleet gaining traction towards the Scottish hosted Nationals next year in Dalgety Bay, the hunt is on for more Feva sailors in Scotland to come and join the fun!
If any clubs or sailors are interested in finding out more about the Scottish RS Fevas, please feel free to look us up on Facebook or email me direct on