Scottish Toppers at the Nationals

Looking forward to seeing lots of you at the UK Nationals at Pwllheli (best pronounced Pff-elli for us Scots though the locals seem to get some c's and k's in there too!).

I believe there are at least 31 Scottish Toppers making the trip so there should be a great presence in the dinghy park. Scottish Topper coach Kirsty will be there to support all those who are not in UK (GBR) National Squads with some hints and tips to ensure all goes smoothly.

For parents new to the event rendezvous in the dinghy park at the sailing club. We are expected to park up in Zone areas so we will try to have some saltires flying so you can find us. We should also have the Scottish Topper Pagoda if Liz has room in her car.

The competitors have to rig up their boats and present them for measurement before they can start racing but this is mostly a formality as Toppers are so one design. The boats must be fully rigged and with two reefs in the sail to show that a reef can be put in on the water for safety reasons. You must be able to reef without undoing knots or shackles. You must also have on the sail you want to race with and that will be stamped with the nationals logo once it has been checked.

The other main things which are checked are the position of the sailcloth loop on the boom which must be in the right place to stop the mainsheet possibly catching a sailors head and the length of the tiller extension. It needs to be as long as possible but if it is too long you may need to saw off an inch so bring a hacksaw! Measurers are generally friendly and relaxed and Sailing-Solutions are generally parked nearby if you urgently need to buy spares.

Measurement time is reserved for Scottish Boats on Saturday between 2.30 and 4 so try to present then if you can. You can measure at other times but you will have to wait your turn.



Please do introduce yourself if you do not know anyone. It can all be quite daunting but we want everyone to feel part of our Scottish Topper family and you will be made welcome.

Last year we did hot pasta for our kids before launching and on return and we will be trying to do this again at Pwllheli. It relies on someone getting the water on at the Pagoda so please join in.

The main fleet tends to be out all day so if we share our parental responsibility turns then we should all get some sight seeing, or shopping or laundry done whilst the kids are out. The regatta fleet is much more relaxed, sails closer in and tends to stop for lunch and for breaks so Regatta Fleet parents may have to spend a lot more time in and around the dingy park - but again if we share, it is much less of a chore and it is good for the kids to get to know some different parents too.

There is a day when we will be "on duty" which means it is the turn of the Scottish Topper parents to help with launching and recovery, trolley sorting (into championship number order) and to man things like the tally board, the clothing stand and to help in the race office with messages etc. This is a really good way to get to know each other and feel part of the Scottish Topper Family.

There is a lovely sandy beach and good waves nearby for body boarding. We launch off the curved sandy beach which you can clearly see i the aeriel views on Mutimap.

See you all there, don't forget to bring some sunshine...

Graham