SAMS sailing club to host national championship
A university sailing club established just two years ago in Oban will host a national student sailing championship this autumn.
The University of the Highlands and Islands Wind and Wave Club, established at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), in September 2016, will run the Scottish Student Sailing Women’s Team Racing Championships on November 3 and 4.
As host of the women’s event, there is now an expectation that the club could host the mixed event in 2020.
The racing will take place in Oban Bay, with support from Oban Sailing Club.
Teams from all over Scotland, and a few from south of the border, are signed up to compete, with as many as 18 boats expected on the water at any time.
Wind and Wave Club commodore Joe Penhaul-Smith, a PhD student at SAMS, said: ‘This is the first Scottish student sailing event we’ve run and we are looking forward to welcoming teams to Oban.
‘We are a new club but we have an enthusiastic and hard-working committee which, with help from Oban Sailing Club, has brought the club on a lot in a short space of time.
‘Our location is among the best in the UK for sailing. The sea-going conditions, rather than the typical loch-based racing, will actually make conditions more predictable and I think the competitors will really enjoy it.’
Joe, a former Staunton Harold sailor, has already helped guide the UHI ladies to a win in the silver class at last November’s Ladies Team Racing Championship. It was the ladies’ first competition and three of the six women had only set foot in the Racing Firefly boat used in competition two weeks prior to the event.
SAMS student Cameron Stewart is the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) local officer at the Dunstaffnage institute.
He said: ‘This is a tremendous achievement for such a young club and it’s a testament to the organisational skills and enthusiasm members have for watersports.
‘As the University of the Highlands and Islands grows, so does the provision for student clubs and societies throughout the region.
‘The wind and wave club is just one example of that.
‘Not only does it help to create a student community in Oban, its close links with Oban Sailing Club help the students become part of the local community.’ There are currently two yachting teams within the club and this autumn will see the university represented in the Scottish university match racing and team racing leagues.
The club also recently hosted a boat repair and maintenance course after identifying a lack of maintenance skills in sailing clubs throughout the UK. Oban showed great strength of character to beat a strong Helensburgh 3s team 5-1 on Saturday in their first league match on grass at Taynuilt.
Helensburgh came out strong and attacking but through good passing hockey and silky skills Oban ensured they were 3-0 up at half time with two goals from Stuart Head and another from Ash Petit.
Helensburgh scored soon after the break but instead of dropping their heads Oban kept up the pressure with Stuart Head, back in fine form, slotting home his third of the day.
Four one was clearly not enough for young Jack Johnston who dinked the ball to his left and slotted Oban’s fifth goal home with a sublime reverse hit.
Alongside the goal scorers, standout performances were Andy Hodge and Jack Anderson who were solid in defence, and Andy providing a crucial link with the midfield. Fred Fleet also looked strong in his first men’s league game.
Man of the match went to Stuart Head.
Sadly this was Alistair Burton’s last game for Oban as men’s captain, as he is moving away. The club wishes him and Becky well in their new endeavours.