Boats sail by in Lowestoft

DOZENS of sailing boats created a spectacle not witnessed on Lake Lothing in Lowestoft for more than half a century.A regatta was held yesterday (Sunday) to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club.

DOZENS of sailing boats created a spectacle not witnessed on Lake Lothing in Lowestoft for more than half a century.

A regatta was held yesterday (Sunday) to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club.

Onlookers were able to enjoy races in the morning followed by a sail past of up to 60 yachts and dinghies, and motor cruisers. Among the craft were boats from neighbouring Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club, who were extended an invitation to join in the celebrations.

The sail past was saluted by RNSYC commodore Roger Knights and Sir Timothy Colman, who was club admiral from 1978 to 1995.

Mr Knights said: 'It was superb. It was a very difficult logistics exercise to get all the boats to go through both bridges to meet on Lake Lothing, to coordinate the races, and finally the sail past. It was a great success, especially on our 150th anniversary.'

Regarded as one of the most prestigious sailing clubs along the east coast the RNSYC holds events and cruises along the east coast and internationally.

Founded in 1859 at Norwich's Maid's Head Hotel, it moved to a Lowestoft harbour location 27 years later, and then to its current premises in 1903.

The sail past ended with the boats going under the bascule bridge to the clubhouse, where the day's celebrations continued.