Lowestoft Spring Update

15 June 2009

I think age has caught up with our past excesses, and the news from Lowestoft is not good for the Dragon Class.

Last season probably prefaced what was to come, with a depleting fleet, and poor race attendance.

James Mehew finally decided after last years East Coast regatta that he needed to listen to what his body was telling him after a lifetime of 'extreme' sport, and he has swapped Dragon in the North Sea, for Loch Long in the quieter waters of Aldeburgh for himself and wife Chris, who will be crewing.  James was a Class Captain and stalwart of the Class for many years and his calmness and common sense prevailed on many occasions - one down for Lowestoft but not for the Dragon Class overall! 

Chris Dicker has also swapped location for a time at least, and Kuling looks likely to be spending more time in warmer continental climes in future.  Chris's contribution to the Dragon Class at all levels has, and still is, inestimable, and those of us who were there will never forget the triumph of the 75th regatta in St Tropez - two down!.  

Peter Colby took T'Ai F'un to Douarnenez early last season and never returned, but illness has taken a toll on his Dragon activities, as has his seeming propensity for 'collecting' boats for a hobby, so probably for a time at least his Dragon activities will be severely limited - three down! 

Peter Pank has Secret up for sale, and has had to finally admit he cannot continue Dragon sailing after suffering for some time with a painful wrist ailment.  Peter has also been a stalwart of the Dragon Class at the RNSYC -four down!

Helen and I sold Gitane to the new Abersoch fleet in late summer with the aim of buying newer, but business commitments mean I cannot give the time I would want to the class or racing, and for this season at least we are giving the Class a rest, and I am standing down as Class Captain.  We do have ambitions for long term blue water cruising a soon as possible, so not sure of our Dragon future.  However we have enjoyed crewing Chris Dicker in St Tropez recently, and will be doing so again during Cowes Week, courtesy of a kind boat loan from Rob Gray - five down! 

Nick Faulkner decided that racing in three classes [Dragon, Squib and Javelin] was a bit much, and his Dragon Merlin has gone to Abersoch also - six down!

Atalanta has not raced for some time, and is now for sale - seven down!

So, that left and leaves Club Admiral Norman Blowers [Mystere], Peter Johnson and Annie Smith [Scaramanger], and Fergal O'Driscoll [Blue Flame], from the original class of ten boats - but that is at least a 'core' on which to build, and with commitment and energy I am sure the class can be resurgent, given the sort of creative thinking demonstrated by the new Abersoch fleet.  The Dragon can be a great family racer, as it has been for us, but also a boat and Class that offers challenging and exciting local and international racing, and a social interaction that is rare.  They are expensive when compared to other day keel sailboats, but they are in fact incomparable.  But clubs need to have other 'feeders' classes to the Dragon Class from which young crew can be recruited, and recognise that the social needs of people throughout the age ranges have to be catered for to succeed.  That is missing from some clubs and it needs addressing, otherwise sailboat racing will continue to struggle to survive.

Lowestoft is a challenging and fascinating place to sail Dragons, and they have been a part of the club's history for years - times change, as do preferences, but I hope the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk officers and Dragon Class owners and members can combine to continue, and grow, a new fleet of the best one-design keelboat available. 

Peter Stokes
RNSYC Dragon Class Captain 

Fiona Brown
Press Officer
Fiona.Brown@fionabrown.com