The Royalist Regatta

   

Two cadets from the Alexandra Yacht Club and Southend Sea Cadets took part in the race of a lifetime. Michael Hawkins and Freddie Short were two of only four Sea Cadets selected nationally to take part in the Royalist Regatta in Portsmouth.

The Royalist Regatta is a high profile fund raising event for the Sea Cadets nationally and is sponsored by HRH Prince Edward, who also takes part. The two day event invites corporate entries to race Sunfast 37 racing yachts.

This year's event saw ten entries which included for the first time a Sea Cadet crew.

Arriving on Tuesday morning, the cadets spent the rest of the day familiarizing themselves with the boat before attending the mess dinner for competitors onboard HMS Warrior in Portsmouth's historic dock yard. This was a great opportunity for the cadets to meet the prince who spent time speaking to them.

Wednesday was race day, consisting of 4 races. The third race was probably the most memorable for the cadet team who hounded Prince Edwards boat (helmed by the prince) towards the finish line and finishing in front of him.

There was also triumph when at the prize giving the Prince handed the cadets the 'inter service trophy' which they took from the Royal Navy team.

The overall winners was the Heath Lambert Insurance crew with the Royal Navy third and the Sea Cadets seventh.

They were a credit to themselves, the unit and the Corps as a whole making such an impression that the entire crew have been invited by their coxswain (Commander Colin Watkins RN) to take part in next years event.
 

cadets

AYC cadet membership is up to the age of 18 years.  as members, they are encouraged to take part in all sailing and social activities within the club. 

the AYC cadet captain is Michael Hawkins and the AYC vice cadet captain is Josh Spencer-Greenway, who are also members of the Southend Sea Cadets

the club has boats available which the club cadets are allowed to use under supervision.

AYC cadets are associated with Southend youth sailing incorporating Thames Estuary, Essex and Leigh sailing clubs.

as well as sailing, social activities take place for them, such as cadet parties, plus use of the facilities within the clubhouse, including a pool table and dart board.

Southend Sea Cadets

Southend Sea Cadets have an associate membership to the Alex Yacht Club and all their sailing activities take place off AYC's jetty, sailing Toppers, Laser Pico's ASC's (Admiralty Sea Cadet) a Cheverton Champ, two Bosun's and a Dory. 

for further information on sea cadets, see the national website