This is the first time in our club’s history that there have been three female flag officers, a first for SOCA and probably unusual among sailing clubs.

Commodore Tanya Warren was joined by VC Debby Taylor and RC Dee Hilliard for a weekend sailing Sigma 33 Wabbit on the River Orwell. Along with fellow crew Stewart and Adam the SOCA flag officers headed down river with wind gusting 6, the number 2 jib and 1 reef in the main. Perfecting their tacking towards the Port of Felixstowe cranes the huge bank of dark cloud they were hoping to avoid seemed intent on getting closer. It was time to turn tail and find a buoy for lunch. Too late! Giant hailstones rained down, thunder boomed, visibility was limited, all they could do was wipe the rain out of their eyes and hold a safe position in the river. The downpour didn’t last for too long and was soon followed by bright skies. They hooked a buoy with ease and ate lunch while drying in the sunshine.

On the Sunday they had a delay in the lock when a yacht lost it’s dinghy and recovery was required “pass the dinghy to the right hand side”. There were lighter winds on this day and it was a slow tack and reach down the river. While running back the Wabbit visitors were entertained with the River Orwell Treasure Hunt. Taking bearings on latitudes along the river to spot various treasures, some of you may remember this from the 2017 SOCA Autumn Rally.