Chairmans Message for 2025

Welcome to the 2025 Season

I must first thank Claire Scott for doing a fine job in the Chair over the last few years. Claire had a challenging time post Covid and worked very hard to enable people to enjoy offshore racing. She managed to run a mini regatta as soon as Covid restrictions were relaxed and also got us back into Southern Holland for East Anglian Week. Well done, Claire.

In November 2024 we celebrated 75 Years of EAORA with nearly 80 people enjoying good food and fine wine at the prizegiving dinner held at West Mersea YC. Congratulations to the season’s overall winner, Paul Scott with Sigma 38 Spirit.

This is my third time as chairman. I started racing EAORA in 1997 with my Jeanneau Sun Legend Gironde, and my enthusiasm hasn’t dwindled since. Currently without a suitable boat to race, I am out there with Windrunner as committee boat or party boat, supporting all who race EAORA.

I am currently renovating another classic boat which will hopefully allow me to race again amongst you all - watch this space.

The 2025 season starts on Saturday May 10 with Royal Burnham YC’s Ralph Herring Trophy race from Mersea to Burnham. The following day we race back to Mersea for West Mersea YC’s Pattinson Cup.

The RORC North Sea Race from Harwich to Scheveningen – this year on Friday May 30 -is always well supported by EAORA boats.

EAORA’s ever-popular Southern North Sea Regatta starts with a race from Harwich to Ostend on Thursday June 26, followed by a lay day in Ostend, including a complimentary drinks party for competitors. On Saturday June 28 there is a race from Ostend to Ramsgate, followed on the Sunday by a race from Ramsgate to Harwich – and the prizegiving at Haven Ports YC.

EAORA supports other East Coast events and there is a delivery race on July 19 from Mersea to Ramsgate, followed the next day by the Round the Goodwins Race, the opening event of Ramsgate Week, hosted by the Royal Temple YC.

On August 16 there is the Janes Cup race from Burnham to Medway YC, with a race back to Burnham the next day for the Royal Corinthian YC’s Thames Estuary shield.

We encourage EAORA boats to be part of Burnham Week, running the Houghton Cup alongside the Town Cup, this year on Saturday August 30. It is one of our shorter courses, but the prizegiving in the Royal Burnham YC, followed by fireworks, is very special.

The season ends with West Mersea YC’s historic Buckley Goblets race from Mersea to Ostend on Friday September 12. It’s always a weekend to remember.

The AGM and Prizegiving follow on October 18 at Royal Burnham Yacht Club. The social side of EAORA is as important as the racing and I thank our member clubs for continuing to support us and welcome the EAORA fleet.

2025 promises to be another great year with many IRC boats and hopefully an expanding Mocra fleet. If you have would like to know more about EAORA, please feel free to contact me directly – or join our WhatsApp group to talk to other competitors.

 

Paul Wood

Chairman