Nearly 150 young people aged between eight and 18 enjoyed a packed sailing, racing and social programme at our annual Cadet Week.

The week gives Cadets of all abilities the opportunity to sail and race, learning from a team of voluntary instructors who give tuition covering all levels and stages.

Lake racing

For those new to sailing, tuition starts on our training lake, while those more experienced sailors – some of whom have been enjoying great success in international competitions – took to the estuary for a full calendar of 65 races. There was river racing in over 50 boats from five different fleets and a team racing event.

Toppers sailing to Maldon Promenade Park in the rain

Cadet Skipper Rob Carver said: “All in all, it was a fantastic week despite the challenges of the weather, running races every day, getting dozens of Cadets through their RYA levels, and enjoying almost all of our planned off-the-water activities.”

The Week also had a bursting programme of social events organised by the Cadet Committee - including a fancy dress competition, disco, quiz and table tennis tournament - with a huge undertaking by the voluntary galley staff to provide catering throughout.

Fancy dress competition

Cadet Week raises money for charity with a raffle and silent auction making a magnificent £1,700 for the Cadet Commodore’s chosen charities – the Thames Barge Sailing Trust and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Series winners: Laser Radial and Cock of the Cadets Nick Evans; Laser 4.7 Jess Welch; General handicap Lucy Shelter and Jess Haigh; Topper/Tera Josephine Bernard; Feva Flo Evans and Katherine Carver; Optimist Callum Marshall.