NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2009 43
ck gives all
ce to ExCeL
Event organisers said they ‘plastic fantastic’, a new version
get “tremendous” support and which will be lighter, more
co-operation from ExCeL, and as manoeuvrable and easier to pull,
locations go it is hard to beat. and is likely to all but eclipse the
Cadets and staff are venerable ASC (though there will
accommodated on site, the no doubt be those purists who will
youngsters ‘camping’ in the vast ensure it never quite disappears).
exhibition space and the adults in That, however, is for the future,
nearby meetings rooms. and the 2009 regatta saw the usual
Lt (SCC) Kevin Perkins RNR, feats of skill, strength and stamina
the superintendent of the Royal on a warm day under a blue sky.
Victoria Dock Boat Station, And the competition itself is the
which sits at the western end of responsibility of Lt Cdr (SCC)
the facility, said it is all about Dave Hanley RNR, HQ Staff
convenience. Officer Boats, who with his team
“The cadets can get up, get presides over the on-water activity,
washed and have breakfast then including judging.
just step outside and it is all there Dave’s efforts ensure that all
for them,” he said. the preparatory work by Phil and
“There is no need to bus them Kevin, and many more besides,
in from elsewhere, or bring the come together into a seamless
equipment from all over the series of races, allowing the cadets
country.” to turn up and concentrate on
Supplying the equipment is their performance without any
Kevin’s part of the show, as the distractions or stresses.
regatta is run on his patch. Dave was content with the way
“We are mainly the London the 2009 regatta was unfolding:
Area boat station, though Eastern “It gets better every year,” he
units use us as well,” said Kevin. declared.
“We had to bring in five boats As to the competition itself, the
from the Welsh Harp boat station, paddlesports were staged at the
but the rest is all ours. western end of the arena, with
“There are a dozen ASCs and boat-handling in the middle and
14 powerboats, doing all different pulling at the east end, up towards
jobs – safety, tow boats and some Silvertown and the airport from
for competitions. which a steady stream of jets
“The only things the areas have roared over the proceedings.
to bring in is their own canoes.” The noise of their engines was
Preparations for the combined frequently surpassed by the sound
regatta take around two weeks. of cheering along the ExCeL
The first sees Kevin put in railings as races finished in front
plenty of scrubbing and polishing, of the hundreds of spectators, the
bringing the boats up to the participants identified by the bright
required standard for competition colours of their respective areas.
after a full season’s use. With the final prizes handed
By the second week he is also out it was time to prepare for
involved in preparing the various the big disco (courtesy Roger
courses, laying some 50 different Moody and his gang), then those
marks in the mile-long dock – who were staying for one more
and as the water is 30ft deep that night returned to their respective
requires plenty of weights to keep ‘campsite’ – the area is divided
them in place. into male and female sections, and
Towards the day of the the divide is strictly policed.
competition Kevin and his two And that was that.
colleagues have been joined by a A couple of days to clear up
further three staff, and as the big and dismantle the courses, and
day looms the national boat team then the whole show moved on to
weighs in as well. Southport for the next red-letter
Talking of weighing in, the half- day in the Sea Cadet calendar –
ton ASC, or Admiralty Sailing the sailing regatta.
Craft, enjoyed something of a See next month for a report marina
swansong this year. from Merseyside.
Waiting in the wings is the
Pictures: Alex Lloyd
042-045_NN_oct.indd 2 21/9/09 15:34:58
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52