There is an active and enthusiastic Junior Sailing section at the Club. The objective is to encourage sailing for children and there is a separate Junior Management Team responsible. There are 2 Junior Training weeks each year with professional instruction, and there is the ever popular Junior Racing Week in August. This latter is an Open meeting for under 18 year olds and entrants from other clubs are welcomed. See details below.

Family & Youth Club days are planned on Saturdays throughout the season when the tide serves, on these occasions children are encouraged to go afloat under parental or other adult supervision, in the vicinity of the club. There are club boats available on loan for those who want to try sailing. Social activities are also planned, BBQ etc.

The main Junior dinghies are Optimists and Toppers, but other dinghies are regularly entered for the Race Week, especially N 12s Lasers and Mirrors.

Optimist

Seen here on the left during one of the Club's Junior Training Weeks.

7ft 7in LOA designed by Clark Mills from a concept of 1947. A hugely successful children's class, an ideal boat in which to learn the basics of single handed sailing. The Royal Harwich produced the National Optimist Champion in 1989. From 'Oppies' youngsters move on to either the Topper class or the adult dinghies.

 

 

Topper
11ft 2in LOA designed by Ian Proctor in 1976. With their strong and maintenance free polypropylene hull construction, Toppers can remain competitive in their class regardless of age. Only new sails are regularly required.

 

Picture on the right shows aspiring Topper helms receiving help and advice during the 2003 Junior Training Week.

 

Racing

Junior Racing Week takes place every August. This is an OPEN event and entrants are welcome from other local clubs. It has been running in its present form since 1969, with the organisation and running done by the parents of competing children. There are two races each day with Fun, Games, Disco, BBQ and other attractions in the evenings.

During the last ten years the event has been run by club members and currently the week provides keen racing for Lasers, National 12s, Toppers, Optimists (three fleets), and a Handicap class. Through these Junior Weeks, the Royal Harwich has done much to foster interest in dinghy racing amongst the young, recognising that the youth of today are its membership of tomorrow.

 

Chairman Junior Management Team

Andrew Swan
Tel : 01473 311891