Over a dozen boats took part in a colourful illuminated procession that marked the start of Burnham-On-Sea’s annual sailing regatta on Friday evening (August 1st).
This year, tide and daylight timings tested the Sailing Club’s yacht and boat skippers to the limit.
Full tide was just before 8pm and, as the sun did not set before 9pm, the yachts were illuminated on a falling tide at 9.20pm. The yachts had to negotiate the shallow entrance to the River Brue to regain access to the moorings and pontoons with the water level at less than two metres.
Wet weather during the evening meant the crowds lining the seafront were smaller than in previous years, but they still got into the excitement and waved on the boats (as below).
The Sailing Club Commodore’s yacht, ‘Matilda of Bristol’, was stationed off Burnham’s jetty and the illuminated yachts passed and dipped their lights during the event.
A busy line-up of activities will follow over the ten days of Burnham’s 2008 Regatta.
Saturday (August 2nd) will see several yacht races, along with the annual Seafarer’s Lunch at Burnham Sailing Club from 12-2pm.
There will also be instructed walks along the River Brue Arts Trail by local artists.
Full details of the event’s schedule – including a review of last year’s event – are available on the regatta’s official website here.
Video of the illuminated yachts procession
The illuminated yachts with the setting sun behind (Pic: Keith Gough)
The illuminated yachts emerge out of the descending gloom
The line of yachts ventured over to the low lighthouse
The Sailing Club Commodore’s yacht, ‘Matilda of Bristol’, was stationed off Burnham’s jetty
Spectators watched the display from The Esplanade
RELATED LINKS:
Official Burnham-On-Sea Regatta Website
