Posts in category: News

It’s not all serious sailboat racing at Sutton Bingham. This Sunday (18 September) the Sailing Committee organised a series of 4 fun races. There was still an element of competitiveness, but also a good deal of craziness with everyone, beginner to experienced yachter, having the chance to come away with a prize.

The day kicked off with Chris’s Terrific Tera Team Race. Sailors were paired into adult and junior crews to race in the club’s fleet of junior Tera dinghies. A Le Mans style start was adopted, with a twist, as sailors made the 50 metre dash to boats moored on the pontoons “three-legged” to add to the mayhem. Once aboard the teams sailed out to deposit one of their crew on moored rescue boats out on the lake, before racing around a small course. Crews then swapped to enable their partner to sail the course before they paired up again to sail back to shore. There was a bit of skullduggery involved with a lot of splashing, boat hooks used to try to delay dinghies getting away from the rescue boats and a some paddling towards the end. Chris Jones and Lucy Hodge emerged winners of the contest with close runners-up Tim Robertson and Dotty Hodge. Continue Reading

The South Coast Grand Prix Laser Open at Sutton Bingham has been announced for the 1st October. Further details of the event and any notices can be found on the relevant event page – see Laser Open Event Page

A Somerset sailing club has found itself at the centre of Hollywood blockbuster Swallows and Amazons after teaching one of its stars to take to the water.

Sutton Bingham Sailing Club was approached to teach Yeovil teenager Dane Hughes, who plays John Walker in the upcoming big screen adaptation, the art of yachting.

The film required actors who were able to combine the skills of delivering lines with faultlessly manoeuvring dinghies.

Producer Nick Barton originally wanted children who could already sail, but when this approach failed, young actors were cast and taught to sail instead.

Sutton Bingham was approached to teach Dane last summer, and guided him through a crucial sailing qualification – while keeping the big screen link secret.

Mike Burke presents Swallows & Amazons lead actor, Dane Hughes with his RYA Level 1 certificate

A spokesman for Sutton Bingham Sailing Club said: “Dane joined the training course and successfully completed an adult RYA level 1 course under the instruction of senior instructor Mike Burke assisted by assistant instructor Sam Barnes.

“The training was conducted in one of the club’s Comet Trio dinghies with the content especially adapted to concentrate on boat handling skills and manoeuvring the boat to be expected during filming.

“Dane picked up the skills quickly and passed the level 1 award with flying colours.”

The film is screening this week at Cineworld Yeovil.

(As published in the Western Gazette and online at www.SomersetLive.co.uk)