Afloat Photographer Bob Bateman's essential role in promoting sailing in Ireland was recognised again last night, this time at the Kinsale Yacht Club AGM. 

Bateman was made an honorary member of the West Cork club for his support of the Kinsale sailing and boating scene.

In nominating the photo-journalist, outgoing Commodore Mike Walsh told the meeting, "Bob has served this club for many, many years, turning up at countless events and getting on the water to produce the photos that we all want to put in a frame and hang on the wall".

Bateman covers the wide range of maritime activity on the Cork Coast for Afloat.ie, especially sailing. He has an extensive archive dating back to the 1960s, documenting a unique record of Kinsale, Cork Harbour and south coast life in general.

One of Bob Bateman's striking images of the Cork coastline from Kinsale Yacht Club's staging of June's Sovereign's Cup 2021

The nomination was enthusiastically approved by the online KYC meeting that also saw Walsh hand over the tiller to new Commodore Matthias Helstern, as Afloat reports here.

Bateman's KYC award follows a National 18 dinghy class presentation in September, where he was similarly honoured with the class's Sullivan Trophy for his 'outstanding support' of dinghy affairs.

Bob and his late wife Claire were previously awarded Cove Sailing Club's Foley Rose Bowl in 2011 for their services to sailing. In 2013, Bob was also made an Honorary Member of Royal Cork Yacht Club, one of only eight such awards made.

The fifth race of Kinsale Yacht Club’s cruiser White Sails October/November Series was won in IRC Fleet 1 by Stephen Lysaght’s Reavra Too, the boat’s first outing in the league.

Michael Carroll’s Chancer finished second and Valfreya (D.Riome & M.Leonard) was third. That result kept Valfreya top of the fleet on 7 points.

The second-placed Meridian (Thomas Roche) did not sail on Sunday but still holds second overall, though slipping to four points behind the leader. Sam Cohen’s Gunsmoke II is third on 13.

Reavra Too racing in June's Sovereign's Cup Photo: Bob Bateman

Padraig O’Donovan’s Chameleon was also a new competitor in the fifth race and was the only boat in IRC Fleet 2 and thus the winner. Patrick Beckett’s Miss Charlie remains top.

Sam Cohen's Gunsmoke Two Photo: Bob Bateman

In ECHO handicap Fleet 1 Valfreya also leads, with Gunsmoke II second and Stephen McCarthy’s Nadie third. Echo Fleet 2 leader is Martin Hargrove’s Deboah on 9 points with Denis Buckley’s Ailleacht in second place on 11 and Albert O’Neill’s Sallybelle third on 12.

Patrick Beckett's Miss Charlie with KYC Commodore Mike Walsh (second from right) on board during June's Sovereign's Cup Photo: Bob Bateman

Class 1 IRC at Kinsale Yacht Club’s White Sails October/November series has been seeing changes at the top with Valfreya (M. Leonard & D. Riome’s Sigma 33) taking back first place after winning on Sunday and now on four points overall.

Tom Roche’s Salona 45, Meridian, is second on 6 and Sammy Cohen’s First 32, Gunsmoke II, third on 9.

In ECHO handicap, Valfreya also leads, with Gunsmoke second and Meridian third.

Class Two ECHO is led by Martin Hargrove’s, Deboah, on 4 points, with Patrick Beckett’s, Miss Charlie, second on 6 and Denis Buckley’s, Ailleacht, third on 8. Miss Charlie was the only boat racing IRC 2 on Sunday.

More clubs around the country are developing cruiser racing opportunities for young sailors.

It is, increasingly, being seen as vital to ensure that clubs themselves have a future.

The biggest loss to sailing has been when young sailors leave dinghies and the sport itself for other sports, which, they perceive, as offering a better continuing pathway.

The Irish Cruiser Racing Association have been encouraging the formation of Under 25 groups to combat this and develop more interest in cruiser sailing and racing amongst younger sailors.

"Is insurance preventing young sailors from getting into cruiser racing?"

Kinsale Yacht Club in Cork is the latest to launch such a group. It has two particularly interesting aspects to it.

One is that it was young sailors themselves who asked the club for such a development, which has been most enthusiastically supported by older members of the club because, says former Club Commodore Dave Sullivan, the senior members want to ensure that the future of the club is planned for and protected.

Kinsale Yacht Club has identified the J/24 (above) as a suitable boat for their Under 25 project Photo: Bob Bateman

Kinsale has identified the J/24 as a suitable boat for their project, but the former Commodore says that boat insurance is preventing young sailors, who may be interested in buying their own boats, from moving from dinghies into cruisers and that is an issue that must be addressed.

He is my Podcast guest this week, where we discuss the Kinsale Under 25 keelboat development, the support of senior members for the project and the issue of insurance.

The first-ever UK and Irish Squib National Championships featuring combined fleets will take place next year in Kinsale.

The rescheduled Squib National Championships incorporating the Irish Squib National Championships will sail from Kinsale Yacht Club from 19th to 24th June 2022.

Six days of competitive racing are scheduled on the waters South of Kinsale Harbour.

Ashore, Kinsale Yacht Club is looking forward to welcoming competitors to its facilities. The Club is equipped to run large events with its flagship bi-annual Sovereigns Cup regatta hosting up to 100 cruiser racers a popular fixture on the Irish sailing calendar. Kinsale Yacht Club is also the chosen venue for the prestigious Dragon Gold Cup in 2024.

The rescheduled Squib National Championships incorporating the Irish Squib National Championships will sail from Kinsale Yacht Club from 19th to 24th June 2022.

The Regatta Director is Squib sailor Ian Travers who has launched a new event website.

The event website is now available here which accepts entries with an early bird entry discount available until the 31st December.

Kinsale Yacht Club's new event logo for the dual UK & IRL Squib Championships

Travers commented 'the Bandon Co-op sponsored event will bring the National Squib racing fleets from both sides of the Irish Sea together for the first time and will make for a very competitive regatta. Having been to many class events over the past number of years, I know that Squib sailors are extremely competitive, and their rivalry on the water is quickly exchanged for camaraderie once ashore. This competitive and social mix along with the wonderful venue of Kinsale provides all the ingredients necessary to make a memorable dual National Championships Event.'

Squib regatta director Ian Travers and Keith O'Riordan sailing Outlaw in Kinsale Photo: Bob Bateman

Early entries have the added incentive that One early bird entry will receive a full refund in a draw that will take place in early January. A specially discounted under-25 entry fee is offered to encourage participation.

Kinsale Yacht Club's October/November White Sails series has six boats entered in the IRC 1 fleet where the leader is Anthony O'Brien's White Tiger, with Meridian (Thomas Roche) second and Valfreya (M.Leonard/D.Riome) third. The IRC 2 leader is Patrick Beckett's, Miss Charlie.

ECHO 1 fleet has eleven entries and is also led by White Tiger with Nadie (Stephen McCarthy) second and Meridian third.

ECHO 2 has nine entries, the leader is Martin Hargrove's Deboah, second Miss Charlie and third Atlantis II (Ted Power).

Racing will continue until November 14 with First Gun each day at 1355.

Kinsale Yacht Club plans for an Under 25 sailing team are progressing in West Cork. 

The plan is to acquire a suitable yacht (most likely a J/24) that will compete on the under 25 keelboat circuit around Ireland.

It follows expressions of interest and 'considerable support' from many KYC members.

Ten U25 sailors (5 male and 5 female) under the leadership of Team Captain Mikey Carroll are already putting their own fundraising plans in place to finance the team, according to former KYC Commodore Dave Sullivan, who is the U25 Team Mentor.

As Afloat reported previously, Skerries Sailing Club in north Dublin recently purchased J/24s for a similar purpose.

The Laser End of Season regatta sponsored by Matthews of Cork concluded at Kinsale Yacht Club yesterday with Munster sailors taking the prizes in each of the three rig divisions after four races sailed in the 63-boat fleet. 

The PRO, John Stallard, who successfully complete the Saturday schedule cancelled Sunday racing due to weather forecasts.

Kinsale Yacht Club's own Micheal O'Suilleabhain was the winner of the 11-boat standard division. O'Suilleabhain was two points clear of Paddy Cunnane from Tralee Bay. Kinsale's George Kingston was third, four points behind Cunnane.

In the 24-boat Radial fleet, Royal Cork's Michael Crosbie was four points clear at the top from Royal St George YC's Fiachra McDonnell. RCYC's Jonathan O'Shaughnessy was third.

In the biggest fleet of the end of season regatta, 4.7 Youth helmswoman Eimer McMorrow Moriarty of Tralee Bay Sailing Club beat Christian Ennis of the National YC. Mauro Noguerol of RCYC was third. 

The results are here

Neil Hegarty, Peter Bowring and David Williams in Phantom held on to the overall lead during Day three of the O'Leary Life Irish Dragon National Championships.

14 knots of easterly wind and a reduced swell made for near-perfect sailing conditions.

The Royal St. George Phantom was caught OCS in race 5, restarted, and sailed a tactically perfect race to come second. Local boat Ghost took the lead on the first run by coming down the right-hand side of the course. They held on to the lead to take first. Serafina with the Murphy brothers and Brian Goggin secured third.

Race 6 started with slightly lighter winds of 8 – 10 knots. Serafina and Little Fella were jockeying for first place; Serafina held them off and took line honours. Phantom and Ghost were tick tacking for third – Ghost got ahead, leaving Phantom in fourth.
Nothing is certain in the top four places, so the Irish National Dragon Champion 2021 and second and third will be decided in the final race. Testament to the close racing enjoyed over the last three days.

Click here for results. See photo galleries here and day two here

Local ace Cameron Good leads a fleet of 15 after day one of the O’Leary Life Irish Dragon Championship at Kinsale Yacht Club.

Race 1 got underway with an easterly wind blowing 16 – 18 knots and a 2-metre swell making for heavy conditions.

The local KYC fleet dominated from the off with TBD, James Matthews KYC, in the lead followed closely by Little Fella, Cameron Good KYC, hot on their heels. Serafina, Brian Goggin KYC, was 3rd with a newcomer to the fleet, Ghost, Colm Dunne in 4th.

Aphrodite from Glandore Harbour Sailing Club retired following a MOB incident with the crew recovered safe and well.

Race 2 and TBD was pushing the line at the start resulting in them being OCS and by the time they were able to return to restart they had lost a lot of time. However, they managed to catch the fleet and ended up with a 9th. Phantom, Neil Hegarty RStGYC, had a good start and stayed ahead of Little Fella to take line honours, Little Fella was 2nd, Ghost was 3rd and Serafina 4th.

Today ended with Little Fella lying in first place with 4 points, Phantom has 6 and Serafina and Ghost each have 7.

The heavy conditions suited some boats today, but it is early in the championship and there are lighter conditions forecast for tomorrow which may suit more of the fleet.

Results are here 

Dragon Nationals Photo Gallery Day One By Bob Bateman