What a weekend on the River Waveney at Beccles Amateur Sailing Club. Saturday morning saw games and water frolics for the young sailors who had just finished their 10-week sailing course.

What a weekend on the River Waveney at Beccles Amateur Sailing Club.

Saturday morning saw games and water frolics for the young sailors who had just finished their 10-week sailing course. Most of the pupils were between the ages of eight and 16 and sailed a mixture of dinghies but mainly Optimists and Toppers.

Despite the inclement weather during their course the majority had turned up every week and were able to sail around the marks. They later joined their families for a barbeque for 100 cooked by Commodore Richard Deller and son Matthew.

On Sunday light winds and a low tide greeted competitors for the Junior Open Regatta, the first to be sailed for the Scrumpy and Mascall tankards, which were open to anyone 16 years or under.

A magnificent 19 entries, including two visitors, gathered in two starts, the first for junior sailors who had raced before, and the second for novice sailors who started sailing in May of this year. Sailing was competitive in both categories despite the difficult conditions. A large crowd gathered on the Suffolk Bank to watch in the soaring temperatures.

In the junior section the Enterprises of Jake Shipley Edward Blankley and Matthew Deller/Abigail Shipley found the light conditions favourable against the others and both finished with a first and second place each, with Jake/Edward winning on countback. Matthew's cousin, Ben Turner from Waveney and Oulton Broad YC was third in his Splash.

Others worthy of a mention were Hugh Braidwood in his Optimist who was fourth and Jamie Freeman from Waveney and Oulton Broad YC in his Splash who was fifth. The novice races were just as competitive despite being over a shorter course with Elenor Edwards beating Mattisa Ball to win, with Lucas Phillips third.

All competitors must be congratulated. Despite the slow going and trying conditions all 19 crews completed the three races.

At the prize-giving the Commodore said it had been a brilliant day with so many boats on the water - in fact it had been brilliant weekend with so many spectators watching as well.

He introduced Audrey Mascall, wife of the late John Mascall who was Commodore between 1966-69 and had been a great believer in junior sailing. She then presented medals to all competitors.

The club now looks forward to the Mono Sail Open on Sunday and the arrival of the Waveneys ODs during Sunday afternoon, followed by the annual regatta on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Results - Scrumpy Tankard (Novices): 1 Cinnabar, Elenor Edwards (BASC), 2 Club Oppie 1, Mattisa Ball (BASC), 3 Club Oppie 2, Lucas Phillips (BASC).

Mascall Tankard (Juniors): 1 Sharpie, Jake Shipley / Edward Blankley (BASC), 2 Cuddles Matthew Deller/ Abigail Shipley (BASC), 3 Splash, Ben Turner (WOBYC).