News

11:43 Sunday 9 Aug 2015 Sue Pelling/CWLCompetitors embrace Family Day

Charlotte and Isabel Fitzgerald enjoy family rivalry in the Swallow class – photo Anthony Lunch/Swallow Class

With more and more families taking part in Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, Family Day is growing in popularity.

There is a real family buzz in the air as floods of visitors arrive on the Island specifically to enjoy all the activities laid on the family-themed day.

At Cowes Yacht Haven, UKSA (the event’s official charity) is hosting a range of family activities throughout the day including the hugely popular Try Sailing for £5 experience hosted by UKSA. Just turn up to the stand in Cowes Yacht Haven and book a spot. Here visitors also have a chance to have a go at gutterboat racing, and win some great prizes.

Along Cowes Parade, Gemma Hunt from CBeebies popular pirate gameshow ‘Swashbuckle’ is hosting an afternoon of pirate fun on stage. Here children are being encouraged to turn up in fancy dress.

The open air cinema at Northwood House is open to all and is a great place for families to relax after a tough day on the water. Today’s film, which starts at 2030, is the Disney’s Big Hero 6. Entry to the Park is from 1900.

Out on the water, the competition is hot particularly among families either racing together or on separate boats. Because sailing is such an inclusive sport, more and more families enjoy teaming up. Parents have even identified regattas like Cowes Week as a good way for families to share quality time with each other.

When young family members sail in separate boats, there always appears to be a certain amount of friendly rivalry. Some of the smaller dinghy-style keelboat classes like the Squib and the Swallow class tend to attract youngsters keen to exploit their dinghy racing skills.

The Squib class always attracts a healthy family contingent and this year is no exception particularly with the likes of 15 year-old triplets – Charlie, Harry and Tom White – taking part. Racing on the aptly-numbered 777, Alice, the three boys say it’s a bit hectic but they are getting on okay. Charlie commented: “Sailing as brothers it is more relaxed because you know that when you come off the water you’re not going to still be moaning.”

In the Swallow class, twin 21-year-old girls – Charlotte and Isabel Fitzgerald from Itchenor Sailing Club have a different view of sailing together. The ex RYA youth squad members and world champion Mirror sailors say sibling rivalry is fairly intense.

Charlotte who is racing Harrier, said: “Undeniably there is a good, healthy amount of friendly sibling rivialry between us. Isabel lent me a jib yesterday and the batten broke, so I think she was sabotaging us. We are hoping she will let us win today!”

Isabel on Marengo, who won yesterday, added: “Yes, we on Team Marengo, are definitely pleased we have the upper hand after day one, but anything can happen.”

Charlotte said that the thought of racing together on the same boat would be a disaster. “We race very competitively against each other in the Mirrors and we had first and second for three years in the Mirror at every event, then we finished first and second at the worlds. I think for us, sailing in separate boats works really well, and we enjoy the banter too."