We bring reflections in words and pictures from the recent East Coast Gaffers 2025 edition of Swallows and Amazons.
Smacks boat ‘Joy’ enjoys her first Swallows and Amazons
Boat trailing for me this June has been quite epic. Firstly the comical chaos of La Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan followed by the French OGA St Malo weekend. Then only a couple of weeks later the drive to Essex from landlocked Wiltshire. Three and half hours the satnav said, pah. Anyhow, some six hours driving on a Thursday afternoon was little price to pay for an absolutely fantastic weekend. I really enjoy any East Coast event and it was great to meet up with the ‘old’ familiar faces, who are always most welcoming, and meet many new ones, especially the Blackwater Boys, Steve Johnson and Clint Swann. The hospitality from the Walton and Frinton Yacht Club and Titchmarsh Marina was refreshing. Outstanding service and great facilities in a somewhat timeless location. The three days sailing was at times challenging for me single handed but was duly rewarded with fantastic creek crawling in company and the abundance of wildlife. The Sunday trip to Beaumont Quay was truly memorable. A fantastic introduction to Walton Backwaters! Special thanks go to the Organising team for a great event. Swallows and Amazons forever.
Words & photos: Steve Mitchell, Solent OGA
A weekend cut short for father and son
What a fantastic two days – unfortunately, as we were all geared up for the last day going to Beaumont Quay my son got a phone call to go back to work at the Hostpital (he works in bloods). He said he’d take the train but I felt a bit bad so decided to give him a lift home as fathers do! Apart from that slight blip for us, the atmosphere was amazing. I can’t really explain it, maybe the combination of weather and sheer enthusiasm from everyone who was there. It was so lovely to see the many different types of dinghies, yawls, smacks boats and more enjoyed afloat by such a cross section of ages, from toddlers to those who hide their age . . . The weather was out of this world and the best place was out there sailing the Walton Backwaters. From what I could see everyone wants to come back next year . . . a truly magical event!
Words & photos: Tarquin Wildridge, East Coast OGA
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