With the Frostbite sailing season arriving this weekend - and several centres marking its Golden Jubilee and more - we've been looking at a useful 1977 issue of Afloat Magazine which reminds us that once upon a time, it was quite the thing in terms of numbers. But changing life patterns, and the effect of Ryanair and its clones, have significantly altered our attitudes to the Irish winter weekend, and how it can best be spent.
Lasers in winter in pre-race mode at Howth, when the old clubhouse on the West Pier (now Aqua Restaurant) was still HYC HQ, and Laser racing could be watched in festive comfort
Thus the numbers sailing most winter Sunday mornings around fifty years ago speak of a different era, though it's cheering to note how many of those involved are still with us, albeit sailing larger and more comfortable boats, or even going over to the Dark Side with motor-cruisers.
Brendan Cassidy - longtime HYC Honorary Secretary, Howth 17 skipper, the Conscience of Howth, a dedicated Race Officer, and a loyal if sometimes slightly grumpy shipmate. Photo: W M Nixon
This snippet about the Howth frostbites from the March-April 1977 Afloat Magazine is of an era long gone, as Brendan Cassidy, the conscience of the club and its longtime Honorary Secretary and frequent race officer, is no longer with us. And the racing, to the west and northwest of the then clubhouse (now the award-winning Aqua Restaurant), could be watched and even managed in comfort, although Brendan's conscience was such that he preferred to share the sailors' conditions from a Race Officers platform out in the open, northward along the West Pier.
Robert Dix (right) becomes Helmsman's Champion at the age of 17 in October 1970 at Crosshaven. Other finalists included (left to right) Michael O'Rahilly, Somers Payne, Harold Cudmore Jnr, Owen Delany, and Maurice Butler (currently Vice Commodore Royal Ulster YC)
MAGUIRE FAMILY FIRST AND SECOND
In terms of results, it's fascinating to see Gordon Maguire (who was to stay in Australia as a sailing pro after winning the 1991 Sydney-Hobart Race) and his late father Neville featuring, as too was the young Robert Dix, who'd become the youngest Helmsman's Champion of Ireland in October 1970 at the age of 17 racing National 18s in Crosshaven, notably crewed by his future brother-in-law Richard Burrows. He went on to many other successes, culminating in being lead helm on Swuzzlebubble (Bruce Lyster) in 1980 when she won the Irish Sea Championship, and lead helm again on Ken Rohan's Holland 40 Regardless when she won Class 1 in the 1981 Fastnet Race.
Robert Michael Laser racing in Howth's first Frostbite series in 1974-75. He became HYC Commodore for 1992-1994, and continues sailing as a leading figure in cruising and club cruiser-racing. Photo: HYC
HOWTH WINTER RACING 1976-77
Back in 1977 meanwhile, while catering only for Laser Frostbite racing, Howth was mustering fleets of up to 44 boats:
From Afloat Magazine, March-April 1977
