Toward Seasports Club Kicks Off Season with Arran Series Opener

TOWARD Seasports Club officially launched its new sailing season with the opening race of its popular Arran Series, held on a calm and sunny evening last Thursday.
The Arran Series brings a twist to the club’s usual racing format, adopting a pursuit-style system where boats start at staggered times based on their speed. The slowest competitors set off first, with faster boats following, all aiming to catch those ahead before a fixed finish time.
With many of the club’s keelboats only recently returned to the water and not yet race-ready, this opening contest featured a small but enthusiastic fleet of dinghies. Light winds on the Clyde also led organisers to set a shorter course for the evening.
Three boats took to the start line: a Topper sailed by T. McCrossan, the Enterprise Sgaden helmed by D. Lyons, and the RS Neo Wee Maggrett with E. Judd aboard.
In gentle and often testing conditions, the early leader was the Topper, which held its advantage through the first half of the race. However, Sgaden steadily closed the gap and eventually slipped ahead to take the lead, which it maintained to the finish.
Behind them, a close contest developed for second place. Wee Maggrett, starting last, gradually reeled in the Topper, with the two boats going neck-and-neck in the final minutes. In a tight finish, the RS Neo edged ahead to claim second place.
Race results:
1, Sgaden (D. Lyons); 2, Wee Maggrett (E. Judd); 3, Topper (T. McCrossan).
Away from racing, the club also enjoyed its annual spring cruise over the weekend. Six boats departed Toward on Friday evening, making use of engines in near windless conditions but relishing the warm sunshine after a long winter ashore.
The fleet spent Friday night in Millport, where members enjoyed a relaxed evening, including spotting seals along the shore. A light breeze on Saturday provided more favourable sailing as the group headed to St Ninians Bay on Bute, where they anchored overnight. The weekend also offered a memorable highlight, with sightings of whales.
The boats returned to Toward following what members described as a thoroughly enjoyable start to the season.
Looking ahead, the club is preparing for another busy weekend as members gather to celebrate the launch of their skiff, which is set to make its maiden voyage.