The Water Wags, a local sailing class on Dublin Bay, had a successful season in 2023 despite the extreme weather conditions that they faced. The club's activities kicked off with a coaching and training weekend at the National Yacht Club in April, which ensured that all boats were in top condition for the first race at the end of the month.
The club held 22 Wednesday races throughout the season, with 37 Water Wags competing on average every week. The races took place in the harbour, with the PRO authorized to run one race of around 60 minutes, which represented three or four laps of the harbour or two races of two laps each, depending on the weather conditions.
The Pieta House 'Darkness into Light' event on May 6th was a unique event in which Dipper, one of the boats, led the way sailing east into Scotsman's Bay to welcome the sunrise, followed by a hearty breakfast.
The 2018 built Water Wag No.48, Dipper, sailed by David Williams of the Royal S.t George Yacht Club Photo: Michael Chester
The club also held two pursuit handicap races during the season, which allowed the boats normally at the tail of the fleet to start in clear wind and stay ahead of the bunch as long as possible. Phyllis was a high achiever during these races.
Six Water Wags, Polly, Little Tern, Swallow, Mariposa, and Dipper, travelled to Brittany to compete with 1500 other classic vessels at La Semaine Du Golfe De Morbihan, a social and cultural event where the Water Wags were warmly welcomed.
David and Jill Sommerville sailing Water Wag No. 40 Swallow Photo: Michael Chester
The Water Wags also held a fundraiser for the RNLI and participated in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023, where last-minute arrangements were made to relocate the racing for the 18 Water Wags into the harbour due to stormy weather conditions. Despite the amalgamating of teams to ensure that only the more experienced sailors went afloat, Puffin and Mary Kate dominated the results.
Water Wag racing at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023 was stormy for the 18-boat fleet Photo: Michael Chester
Mademoiselle won the Captain's Prize race and dinner in August, which is one of the most popular events of the year, while Puffin, Swift, Tortoise, and Ann were the dominant boats in the final event of the season on Lough Key in County Roscommon. Despite the weather forecast never dropping below force seven, the competitors completed seven races. The event was such a success that the club has already booked the same venue for next year.
David Kelly at the helm of Water Wag No. 33 Eva Photo: Michael Chester
Overall, the Water Wags had a fantastic season, and the club members are looking forward to more sailing adventures in the years to come.
The strength of the Water Wags, says the class, lies in several areas:
- Boats do not become outclassed after a few years.
- Skill levels are such that husband/wife teams can match mother/daughter teams and every other combination of people connected by blood, marriage or friendship.
- The distance from shore to the race area is short, with minimal ‘hanging around’ between races.
- We have our own PRO who organises ‘Windward-Leeward’ races suited to Water Wags.
- After racing each week, all the sailing teams gather together for socialisation.
- We hold at least three sailing suppers during the sailing season and two in the winter.
