Sail in Stunning Northumberland

KWSC News Articles

(Article from December 2003)

Focus on...Giles Passmore, a founder member and passionate Flying Fifteen Sailor.

I loved sports at school, all sports, the CCF and later the TA. I suppose it compensated for a lack of brains. I did get a degree, but is was quite hard work fitting it around leisure pursuits. Injury put paid to Rugby and while waiting for knee surgery Father took me to the Solent where in a 12 foot dinghy, with a ferry bearing down on us, he told me that steam gives way to sail and sowed the seeds of a future addiction.

In 1968 a new reservoir and club were formed at Draycote and I joined. I went to Bells at Leicester, the maker of kit boats - Enterprises, GP 14s and Ospreys among others - for advice on boats and was told that with my experience - zero - 'buy a used GP to see how you like it'. I knew nothing about 'it' but with book in hand, some help from a friend, reading and asking, I avoided drowning myself and running someone else over. The addiction now started. In 1970 I moved to the Scottish Borders and joined Fisherrow, sailing on the sea in the Forth. Addiction was now complete. I travelled round Scotland to open meetings with my eldest daughter and took up team racing. At the same time, I had the good fortune to write my old GP off and the insurance helped me buy a rather nice new one. All this started a massive learning experience in the rules and the protest room. At the same time I served my apprenticeship as a race officer. Our Open Meetings would have 100 or more boats in six classes; if it was windy with a big sea running and you were perched on this fishing boat with wet paper and a wind up clock it made you sweat, but it was good fun.

One day a crewless Fifteen sailor asked me, also crewless - not clueless -, if I would like a sail and then offered me the tiller. I was now hooked on a Fifteen, but not at Fisherrow, which was tidal.

Fortune smiled again as I saw a notice advertising for Kielder. So I went along and joined the founding committee. Here I met a wonderful group of people dedicated to the 'Club'. I claim two achievements here. First NWA retained the right to control sailing when windy with a yellow flag. I managed to put an end to that. Secondly, we used to have to pay 10p for a shower and after a three-year campaign I got the charge removed.

Thus I bought a 2nd hand Fifteen to 'try it' and so started another love affair. Selling her a few years ago was an emotional parting and the delivery also cost me a speeding fine. Belinda, my younger daughter now filled the crew slot and we sailed at clubs from Lowestoft to Loch Earn and had a lot of fun. Offspring leave you and Shirley now puts up with me, and for some open meetings 'young Stephen Graham (my sail maker - how's that for style)' keeps me straight.

In 1982 my Father introduce me to cruising - he has a lot to answer for! So with various friends I cruised the West of Scotland from Kintyre to Cape Wrath, through the whirlpools and out to St Kilda. I have also had a cruise in the Virgin Islands with our sailing secretary Bill Graham.

In both cruising and racing I have had a lot of fun and met some most interesting and wonderful people who love to talk about the sea, sailing and boats in the broadest of contexts.

Out of many happy moments two experiences stand out. One day when sailing out to St Kilda, with the sun going down in a great ball of fire over the Island, a school of Dolphins played around us for half an hour. It was quite beautiful, a very happy occasion. My other great memory is of Cowes. Shirley and I had taken a cottage for a week there with friends for the Flying Fifteen 50th Regatta and we were sailing in the classic fleet of 52 boats. Our main halyard broke for the first race, we then had a 5th and were 12th overall. The sun shone for the whole event, and the Royal Yacht Squadron entertained us with Champagne in their Club House.

Certainly sailing costs money, but not that much. I don't smoke and am only a social drinker. I have spent money on boats but not as much as I could have spent on the weed and liquid refreshment and it has given me a great deal of happiness.

I've never had any sailing lessons except those in the hard school of life and just sailing, but I've no regrets. Sailing and racing with my daughters and now Shirley has been great fun. While winning has been fun, most of all I've enjoyed just sailing, taking part in a great sport.

Thanks Dad, you are forgiven.

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