Dartmouth Regatta is steeped in history, the earliest recorded regatta in Dartmouth was in 1822. There were three sailing races and one six-oared gig race. A military band was recorded as playing out at Dartmouth Castle and a ball took place with 120 in attendance. In 1834 the Dartmouth Regatta was officially formed, when the leading gentlemen of the neighbourhood, and inhabitants of the town called a meeting and elected a committee of their own.
In 1856 it became a Royal Regatta when Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales came into Dartmouth in a flotilla of nine boats on an unscheduled visit because of bad weather, arriving the day before the regatta starting on 11 August. Prince Albert and his son went up to Sharpham Point in the new steamboat Dartmouth, which had arrived on the river only the previous day. The Queen followed in the state barge, going as far as Dittisham. The Queen the next day sailed on to Plymouth but before leaving bestowed the title of ‘Royal’ on the regatta. The Committee write each year to the Monarch to request the renewal of the Royal Patronage.
This year, Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) enabled Four ‘Contessa 32’ Class Yachts to race at the Regatta, offering a BRNC, Royal Navy Reserve (RNR), University Royal Navy Unit (URNU) and Jolly Division Team to be formed. Ulysses Trust supported the URNU and Jolly Division Yachts in funding the Race Fees, allowing 6-8 personnel to take part on each yacht.
Racing ran from Wednesday to Sunday but offered the chance for personnel from units wide and far to travel to Dartmouth, in some cases for the first time. Most of the teams arrived a couple of days ahead of the Regatta in order to prepare for racing. This brought many challenges including different experiences, team members that had not met each other before, and engagement between the crews of all four yachts in the evening at the Royal Dart Yacht Club, allowing for some comradery. Quickly the teams bonded, started to discuss strategies, and worked on their roles and responsibilities on the yachts.
Adventurous Training for the Armed Forces provides challenging outdoor training for Service Personnel in specified adventurous activities that incorporates controlled exposure to risk, in order to develop: leadership; teamwork; physical fitness; moral and physical courage; as well as other personal attributes and skills that are vital to the delivery of operational capability.
Each Day consisted of 2-3 races bringing various challenges, but at the same time resulting in some exciting stories, positive outcomes whilst the team maintained high morale and a friendly competitive spirit. Throughout the week there were great examples of teamwork on the upper deck whether taking the Helm, pulling on the halyards or raising the various sails including the Spinnaker. As the yachts passed like ships in the night, a regular friendly wave and smiles from the participants helped with the fun element of racing. The weather was generous to all the crew with Wind and lots of Sun, not only good for high spirits but also for topping up the tan.
The BRNC yacht led the week but is a lighter and faster boat mainly due to larger sails, closely followed by the other 3 yachts. As the week passed it was becoming the apparent that the focus of the non-BRNC yachts was to do whatever it takes to get a win. On Sunday the RNR, URNU, Jolly Division reshuffled the crews to get the best of all the crews onto Pegasus, which resulted in a Win for the day, followed by an almighty cheer as the yacht crossed the line!
The entire week enabled the crews to be exposed to adventurous training, regatta racing, but also enabling a good understanding of the Royal Navy Core Values (Commitment, Courage, Discipline, Respect, Integrity and Loyalty).
Already the personnel that attended are talking about next year’s Regatta, additionally with a plan to complete a week’s SAILEX ahead of the Regatta racing.
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