The East Coast OGA has run an Annual Race every year since 1963, apart from 2020, when it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although there was a Race at OGA60 in 2023 this year is actually the 60th event.
Watch two videos of races 31 years apart: 1987 and 2018. Do you recognise any of the boats? The weather is certainly very different on the two occasions, and so is the attire of skippers and crew!
1987 East Coast Race
Along the south shore of the Blackwater Estuary is a quiet place, Ramsey Island. This it is not an island at all and most sailing people know it as Stone. It was the start and finishing point for the East Coast OGA Annual Race in 1987. David Cleveland made a film about the event and the boats taking part.
31 years later, 21 July, 2018 35 assorted Gaffers gathered at Stone Sailing Club, River Blackwater once more for the start of the 55th Annual Race. It turned out to be a rather relaxing affair, with insufficient wind for more than one or two to reach the finish line.