“It’s a Nightmare to Organise Sailing With Social Distancing”

23rd May 2020

Glandore Harbour in West Cork where July's Classic Boat Regatta has been cancelled

Glandore Harbour Yacht Club in West Cork draws its membership from a wide catchment area. It is surveying the members to get their views on how the club’s sailing season can deal with the current restrictions imposed by government under COVID-19 requirements.

After nine months of preparation, the club had to decide late last week to cancel their biennial Classic Boats Regatta which has become a national and international attraction. It drew large crowds to the village, both sailors and tourists, to see the event and was a big economic boost to the area.

‘Social distancing’ requirements had a large effect on the decision to cancel the regatta in July, which would have dovetailed with the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s Tricentenary Celebrations.

MG 3311 Racing at a previous edition of Glandore Classics Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman. Scroll down for a gallery of photos below

The situation which the club faces is explained in this week’s Podcast by its Sailing Secretary, Hal Andrews, who says that it is “really a nightmare to organise sailing” under the social distancing requirements.

"Social distancing’ requirements had a large effect on the decision to cancel the regatta"

That is becoming evident at many clubs around the country. Irish Sailing is in discussion with Sport Ireland about the difficulties presented to the sport by the restrictions.

Podcast with Hal Andrews of Glandore YC below and a gallery of photos by Bob Bateman of the 2007 Glandore Classic Regatta brings back memories of the beauty of vintage sailing boats in West Cork.

Afloat.ie · Organising Sailing With Social Distancing

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Published in Tom MacSweeney, Coronavirus and Boating, Historic Boats

Published in Tom MacSweeney

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About The Author

Tom MacSweeney

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Tom MacSweeney writes a column for Afloat.ie. He is former RTE Marine Correspondent/Presenter of Seascapes and now has a monthly Podcast on the Community Radio Network and Podcast services

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