The 20th anniversary Five Castles Inter-Schools Sailing Regatta was held at Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken.
The event started in a modest way at Annandale Sailing Club in Lochmaben as the brainchild of Willie Patterson, with the idea being to give local schools in Dumfries and Galloway a chance to compete against each other and broaden the appeal of the sport of sailing.
The enthusiasm of the local community soon brought in the Solway Yacht Club and the event grew, necessitating a move to Loch Ken where the centre could provide for the numbers of children wanting to take part.
Initially, numbers increased, particularly with the advent of the “tasters”, non-sailors who came to have a day of fun on and around the water under the expert eye of the centre’s professional instructors.
After Covid caused a downturn, 2023 saw a return to something like past times with 12 racers and 61 “tasters”.
The weather at Friday’s event was idyllic and close competition pervaded the racing fleet.
After 12 tight races, victory and the Castle Loch Shield went to Dalbeattie High School’s A team with Dalbeattie’s B team not far behind.
Competition was close and a modest gap separated third and fourth places. Both were combination teams with third place going to St Joseph’s College/Dumfries Academy hotly pursued by Lockerbie Academy/Dumfries High School.
While the serious racing was going on, 61 youngsters had a whale of a time with the GAC instructors leading them through a wide range of outdoor activities both on land and on the water.
Again, competition was tight, but the Spirit Trophy went to Wallace Hall Academy, who were judged to bring the highest level of fun and enthusiasm to proceedings.
Prizes were presented by Gordon Mercer of the Common Thread Group, the sponsors of the event alongside GAC.
Both have given immense support to the event over many years with the aim of making sailing a sport for all.
Seeing so many youngsters hugely enjoying the outdoor life was ample compensation for the hard work put in to make it happen.
