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ISSUE 01 | END OF SEASON 2026EXE NEWS Review
Contents03Croeso! Willkommen! Exe Tera’s Travels06 Could You Achieve a Flopper?07 Excitement and Camaraderie at the South West Aero Championships13 Club Hosts a Memorable Trio National Championship16 Sailability19 GB1 America’s Cup: ESC’s Ben Cornish at the Helm22 Tricky Trophy Challenges25 Wine Run27 A Trip Through Our History2932 Securing the Future of the Club21 Knight Frank Champagne Challenge09 The Person Behind the Posts RS2000 Millennium Series Weekend EXE NEWS Review2
It has been a memorable season for Exe Sailing Club’s junior RS Tera sailors, with impressive performances at both the RS Tera National Championships in Wales and the RS Games and Tera World Championships in Germany.The championship itself delivered a wide range of conditions. The opening day started in sweltering heat and almost no wind, leading to lengthy delays before racing could get underway.The campaign began over the May half term when five Exe juniors travelled to the Welsh National Sailing Academy at Plas Heli, Pwllheli, to compete in the RS Tera Nationals. More than 100 sailors from across the UK took part, providing strong competition in both the Pro and Sport fleets. Representing Exe in the Pro fleet were Stefan Anderson and Neva Pearson, while Jack Rowsell, Freddie Mew and Barney Rhodes competed in the Sport fleet. The week started with mixed fortunes ashore. Practice day brought light winds and sunshine, but overnight a fierce thunderstorm battered the campsite, testing sailors and parents before racing had even begun.However, once the breeze arrived, conditions changed dramatically and many sailors were caught out by the drop in temperature and strengthening wind. As the event progressed, competitors faced larger swells and fresh breezes, creating challenging racing conditions. Exe’s sailors rose to the occasion, with Jack opening the event with an excellent fifth place in the first race. Stefan showed remarkable consistency throughout the championship, recording five top-ten finishes on the second day alone, while Barney produced some standout performances, including third place in a championship race and a race win on the final day, his first victory at a national event. Croeso! Willkommen! Exe Tera’s Travels Contributers: Yvonne Palmer & Ben Rhodes EXE NEWS Review3
Buoyed by their national championship experience, the same five sailors later headed to Travemünde, North Germany, to represent Exe Sailing Club at the combined RS Games and Tera World Championships. The prestigious international event featured four days of racing against some of the world’s best young sailors. Conditions proved particularly demanding during the opening stages, with winds of 15-22 knots and a lengthy sail to the race area adding to the physical challenge. Day two was especially gruelling, with sailors spending nearly six hours on the water. Despite the tough conditions, the Exe team demonstrated remarkable resilience and maturity throughout the regatta. For Freddie Mew, competing in his first international championship, the experience summed up the spirit of the week. After returning from a particularly exhausting day on the water, he simply smiled and thanked his father for bringing him to the event.When the final results were announced, Exe had achieved top- ten finishes in both fleets. Stefan finished 7th overall in the Pro fleet, while Barney secured 8th place in the Sport fleet, capping off a successful week for the club.EXE NEWS Review4 Croeso! Willkommen! Exe Tera’s Travels
Their commitment, sportsmanship and determination were evident throughout two major championships that tested every aspect of their sailing ability. From top-ten finishes at the National Championships to strong performances on the world stage, 2026 has been a season to remember for Exe’s junior sailors. With next year’s Tera World Championships set to take place on the stunning waters of Lake Garda, Italy, there is already excitement building, and after this summer’s achievements, there may be an even larger Exe team ready to take on the challenge.The final day brought a complete contrast, with light winds of just 3-9 knots allowing the fleets to complete the final races of an eight-race championship series. Against a world-class international fleet, the Exe sailors produced excellent results. In the Pro fleet, Stefan Anderson finished 20th and Neva Pearson was 62nd. In the Sport fleet, Barney Rhodes narrowly missed out on a podium place, finishing an impressive 4th overall, while Jack Rowsell placed 47th and Freddie Mew finished 59th. Beyond the results, the sailors were praised for the way they represented the club both on and off the water.EXE NEWS Review5
Contact Mickie Ward for the Ladies Team on 07999949099The ladies skittles team was formed about 35 years ago. Known as The Ladies of the Exe they were the second all ladies team to play in the Exe River League. Sadly the other ladies team from Starcross disbanded directly after Covid. The Ladies of the Exe have never won the league. It’s not always easy to compete against teams which are mainly male, but we have had some memorable victories along the way. Especialy the victory in March against the Tornados! A local Derby is so much fun! Many ladies in our ladies team are the original ones that started 35 years ago! We continue to play for the fun and laughter and because we know it supports the club through the winter months. Some of us are finding it a bit more difficult to play these days - the creaking knees don’t help. If there are any lady members of the club who would be interested in playing you would be very welcome to join in the fun. The ESC skittles teams Tornados (a mixed team) and Ladies of the Exe had some outstanding moments last season. The Tornados won their first game with 382, which was a brilliant score. We continued on a winning streak winning 6 games. However we fell away towards the end of the season and Could you achieve a flopper? Interested in playing with Tornados contact David on 07770 404354 or Maggie on 07842 144309 ended up third overall behind The Dolphins, Lympstone who won and Topsham. In our final game against Ladies of the Exe, one of their players got a flopper (all skittles down with first ball) and they had a well deserved victory. The Tornados have been around for many years supporting the club throughout the winter months. EXE NEWS Review6
Excitement andExcitement and CamaraderieCamaraderie at theat the South West Aero ChampionshipsSouth West Aero Championships Excitement and Camaraderie at the South West Aero ChampionshipsREPORT BY IZZY LANGMAN AERO FLEET CAPTAIN FALMOUTH - Mike Upton and I represented Exe at the South West Aero Championships over the bank holiday weekend, joining a vibrant fleet at Restronguet Sailing Club. The event drew 23 Aero sailors, including 6 visitors from across the Southwest, all eager to compete and connect. We arrived Friday afternoon to a warm welcome from Aero fleet captain Patrick and Don, one of the 17 local Aero sailors. After a friendly greeting, Patrick and Rod gave us a tour of the club and provided a detailed map of the estuary— complete with expert tips on navigating tidal streams and understanding the land shadows unique to the river. Patrick described the sailing waters as a "mildly tidal reservoir," a helpful comparison for those more accustomed to gentler tidal conditions than the famously challenging Exe.The expansive sailing area, relatively free from moored boats and obstacles, offered a refreshing change for Mike and myself. Racing began on Saturday afternoon with three competitive races held on a trapezoid course. Conditions were challenging, with shifting winds and persistent rain putting sailors’ skills to the test. EXE NEWS Review7
The race committee adapted efficiently, resetting the course several times to accommodate the changing wind direction. The duty crew’s organization and attention to safety ensured smooth sailing for all. The club's renowned hospitality was on full display on Saturday evening, as our friends and family gathered for a curry dinner prepared by the kitchen staff. The bar buzzed with lively conversation as sailors and visitors shared stories. Sunday brought brighter skies and light winds, ideal for two more races. The competition remained fierce, highlighted by a couple of general recalls as competitors vied for the best possible starts. Among the standout performances was youth sailor Poppy Luxton, recently named Youth Sailor of the Year. Remarkably, she secured second place overall—an impressive feat given it was her first time sailing an Aero. Unfortunately, both Mike and I were flagged for an OCS (On Course Side) in the final race, dashing our hopes for a top finish. However, spirits remained high as the event concluded with a traditional Cornish cream tea during the prize giving, where participants swapped stories and reflected on two days of spirited racing. The weekend left us eager for a return visit. Patrick mentioned that next year’s championship is likely to take place over the early May bank holiday once again—a date we’ll be marking on our calendars.“I encourage fellow Exe Aero sailors to join us next year for this fantastic event. It’s a wonderful opportunity to build confidence, have fun, and gain new perspectives on sailing.” EXE NEWS Review8 Excitement and Camaraderie
If you follow the club on Facebook and Instagram, you will have noticed a new energy to the posts this year. These platforms and the club website are our window display to the wider community, so what we do and say helps generate new membership enquiries as well as keep current and ex- members engaged with everything the club is doing and has to offer. Since just the start of 2026 the number of views of the club’s posts has almost trebled, and we have achieved more than double the number of followers and those interacting with our posts. So, who has been the catalyst for this great success? We met the person helping drive the club’s social media profile, club member and volunteer Gemma Wakeham. The Person Behind The Posts9
And we’ve had some fun with it too. Sailing gives you plenty of material for posts that make people smile, and humour nearly always works! Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you know so much about social media? I’m a club member with a daughter who sails a Tera and a husband, Russ, who is now Junior Captain and seems determined to sail absolutely everything — dinghies, cruisers and kitesurfing! So as a family we spend quite a lot of time at the club. Away from sailing, Russ and I own and run Two Drifters Rum Distillery in Devon. Marketing is a big part of my role there and social media is one of our most important ways of reaching people. I’m qualified in social media marketing, but I think most of what I know has come from years of actually doing it — trying things, looking at what works and constantly learning because the platforms never stand still. So please tell us, what makes a great social media post? For me, it has to make somebody stop scrolling, but it also has to feel real. It doesn’t need to be beautifully produced.Hi Gemma, thank you for all the work you have put in to support the club’s social media this year. The difference has clearly been noticed by club members and, looking at the stats, the wider community. What have you been doing to help make this difference? Firstly, it definitely isn’t just me. Everybody across the club who posts about their area of activity is helping build our social media presence, and a special mention has to go to the Cruisers for being so consistent this year. It also really helps when members tag the club in their own sailing posts because it gives us brilliant content and stories to share. What I’ve tried to do is bring all of that together and make the club feel as active online as it actually is in real life. We’ve used more photos and video, covered specific club events and activities, shared what our members are doing away from the club, and tried to tell the stories behind what is happening rather than simply advertise things. Huge thanks to Tom Hurley for his fantastic photographs, he has an eye for capturing the enjoyment on the water. He makes my job very easy.EXE NEWS Review10 The Person Behind the Posts
Which have been the most successful club posts this year and why? Two very different ones stand out for me. One of the simplest was “What boat did you first learn to sail in?”. There was nothing complicated about it at all, but it got people talking and sharing memories. It reached nearly 4,000 people on Facebook and generated more than 100 interactions. That is a really good example of social media actually being social rather than us just broadcasting information. At the other end of the scale, some of our short sailing reels have performed really well — particularly content from junior sailing and club events. A junior weekend reel, for example, had more than 2,300 views and generated a lot of interaction and new followers. I think the contrast is important. There isn’t one magic type of post. Sometimes people want spectacular sailing footage; sometimes they want to recognise somebody they know; sometimes they want useful information; and sometimes they just want something that makes them smile.Sometimes it’s a great photo, a few seconds of video, something funny or simply a story that makes somebody think, “I’d like to be part of that.” And actually, Exe is very easy to show off. I walk into the sailing club and see so much to shout about. As a parent, I see my daughter outside in the fresh air, sailing her own boat, with no screen in sight. We started as parents dropping our child off at Summer Weeks and now we seem to spend most weekends with a boat on the car, driving all over the place watching Lottie sail on lakes, rivers and the sea, in flat calm and choppy water. She comes off the water exhausted, hungry and soaking wet, but usually with the biggest smile on her face. It’s a pretty easy sport to get excited about. And it isn’t just the juniors. I see the adult dinghy and cruiser sailing as a really fun, inclusive community. There’s competition and rivalry, obviously, but there are also a lot of laughs, friendships, teamwork and the social side of the club. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that? I’m very happy to show off what we have — I think I’d be jealous if I wasn’t already part of it!EXE NEWS Review11
And please let me know about future events you want shouted about too. Racing, training, socials, open meetings, cruises, junior events, achievements — if you want people to know about it, tell me and I’ll help get it out there. If you’re posting about your own sailing, tag Exe Sailing Club as well. Sharing, liking and commenting on club posts really does help them reach more people. Ultimately, the more different parts of the club we can show, the better. There is so much going on at Exe; I just want our social media to reflect that.What can members do to help build the club’s presence on social media even more? Send me stuff! I’m at a lot of the junior events and, because I live locally, I’ll often wander down to the club when I know there’s sailing happening. But I also have a full-time job, so inevitably I miss loads of brilliant content. If there’s something happening that you think should be on the club socials, please take some photos or video and send them to me at: thewakehams@gmail.com I’ll do the rest. It really doesn’t need to be polished. A few good photos or, even better, some short vertical video clips and a couple of lines telling me who, what and where is usually plenty. “Send me stuff!”EXE NEWS Review12 The Person Behind the Posts
Exe Sailing Club Hosts a Memorable 2026 Comet Trio National ChampionshipEXE NEWS Review13Photo copyright Andy SeymourPhoto copyright Nicky GroucuttPhoto copyright Andy SeymourPhoto copyright Symon GarrattPhoto copyright Nicky GroucuttPhoto copyright Symon Garratt
Exe Sailing Club was delighted to host the Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 National Championship 2026, welcoming competitors from across the country for three days of excellent racing on the Exe estuary. Nineteen boats competed in a championship that combined close racing, varied conditions and outstanding volunteer support, making it a great success for both the class and the club. The championship opened in sunshine and steady winds, with competitors facing the tactical challenges of the Exe's tides. Race Officer Les Arscott and his team got racing underway promptly, setting the tone for a well-managed event. Chris and Ben Biglin won the opening race ahead of Andrew and Caroline McAusland, while Guy Farrant and Graham Sykes finished third. In Race Two, the McAuslands took victory after a closely contested race, with Farrant and Sykes second and the Biglins third. A third race completed on the opening day saw the Biglins return to winning form, leaving them leading the championship overnight from the McAuslands and Farrant/Sykes. Day Two brought lighter, easterly winds, but equally competitive racing. Efficient race management allowed three races to be completed. The Biglins won Race Four, while Anne and Mike Way and the McAuslands secured podium finishes. Race Five went to Anne and Mike Way after another tactical contest, with Guy Farrant and Graham Sykes producing an excellent recovery to finish second. Poppy Salis and Jane Higgins also impressed with a strong fourth-place finish. Anne and Mike Way continued their excellent form by winning Race Six, while the Biglins and McAuslands maintained their consistency. By the end of the day, Chris and Ben Biglin held the overall lead, although several crews remained in contention for podium places The final race took place in a gentle, south-westerly breeze after a short postponement while conditions settled. The race featured plenty of drama, including a restart challenge for Anne and Mike Way after an over-the-line start. Ian McKay and Richard Stradling enjoyed a standout performance, rounding the first mark in the lead following a favourable wind shift. As positions changed throughout the fleet, the championship remained uncertain until the final finish.EXE NEWS Review14 Exe Sailing Club Hosts Trio Nationals
Exe Sailing Club was especially proud that all three championship podium positions were occupied by sailors representing our home club. Chris and Ben Biglin's national championship victory was a tremendous achievement, and to see Anne and Mike Way finish second and Andrew and Caroline McAusland finish third completed a remarkable clean sweep for Exe sailors. Their performances reflected not only skill and consistency but also the strength and depth of Comet Trio sailing within the club. Guy Farrant and Graham Sykes finished fourth and received the Ancient Mariners Prize, while Jamie Grigor and Eli Baxter won the award for the first boat numbered under 500. While the racing naturally takes centre stage, events such as this are only possible because of the efforts of a large team working behind the scenes. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who gave their time throughout the weekend. From Race Officer Les Arscott and the race management team to safety boat crews, mark-laying teams, beach and slipway assistants, galley volunteers, office staff, scorers, photographers and everyone involved in preparing and running the event - your contribution was vital to its success. The positive feedback received from visiting competitors reflected the warm welcome and hospitality for which Exe Sailing Club is renowned. The championship was a true team effort and demonstrated once again the strength of our volunteer spirit. Finally, thank you to all competitors who travelled to Exmouth and helped create such a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere both on and off the water. The combination of competitive racing, excellent conditions and enthusiastic volunteers made the 2026 Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 National Championship a memorable occasion. Exe Sailing Club was honoured to host the event and congratulates all competitors, particularly our new National Champions, Chris and Ben Biglin, on a fantastic achievement.EXE NEWS Review15Photo copyright Debbie Woodcock
SAILABILITY We have all heard about the club’s Sailability activity, not least because it earned the club the highly prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. But how much do you actually know about the amazing work Sailability does and how it is run within the club? Comms Officer Mike Dixon went to find out more from the amazing club volunteers who make the magic happen. What exactly is Sailability and what does it do? Sailability is a nationwide operation that is overseen and regulated by the RYA. Many sailing clubs, such as ours, offer a Sailability programme which is designed to give sailing and on-the-water experiences to the disabled and disadvantaged, living in our local community. Those both old and young, who would otherwise not get the opportunity to enjoy the joys of sailing or just being out on our beautiful Exe estuary and seafront. Who does Sailability support and how can sailors participate? We put no limits on who can take part. “Ability not disability” is one of our mantras.EXE NEWS Review16Photo copyright DevonDigital.co.uk
We prefer to concentrate on what a person can, rather than cannot, do as they often do not realise what they are capable of. It is about providing opportunity rather than opposition, which unfortunately is what many disabled people face throughout their lives. We cater for those with a wide range of disabilities or who simply have other difficult issues to deal with, such as young carers. We cater for independent sailors as well as working with local Commissioning Groups such as the Deaf Academy, In Focus, Stalcombe House and Young Carers. Many groups and independents return each year, but new sailors contact us usually through referrals or word of mouth via the website. For new sailors we always offer a free taster session. What kind of boats do we have and how often do we go out? We have access to 2 Hawk 20 keelboats for those more agile sailors and those wanting to learn to sail and improve their skills. We also have Tornado 2 which is a twin hulled motorboat that can accommodate wheelchair users and their carers and those who are less agile.New this year are a pair of Hansa 303 Para boats designed for the more advanced sailors and those wanting to sail independently or start racing. All outings are accompanied by a safety boat. We operate Monday to Friday between late April and the end of September and have 5 boat outings scheduled each day. How is Sailability funded? Financially, Sailability sits in quite a unique position within the club. We are an integral part of the club, but we are also responsible for raising much of the funds needed to keep the project afloat. We have access to shared club resources, with the club kindly covering the associated insurance, moorings, and marina fees. While for others, such as fuel, repairs and maintenance for the Ribs, we make an annual contribution for our raised funds. We also pay for the majority of running costs for T2 as well as all the costs associated with the coding of this vessel. This means we need to raise around £20,000 each year just to keep the project running at its current levels.EXE NEWS Review17
Income is derived from sailor contributions, charitable grants, some sponsorship, donations and fundraising events such as the recent bike ride. We also need to raise money for capital expenditure as Sailability funded the purchase of both the Hawks, half of T2, half of the 6 Quest dinghies, as well as the new Hansas. Who runs Sailability? Sailability is a purely volunteer led operation with over 100 members being involved. It is run by an Operations Team that includes several of our disabled sailors, and reports to the club Management Committee via the Sailing Committee on which it is represented. Some volunteers are also involved in other club activities, but there are a good number who only became club members because of Sailability. Why do so many club members volunteer for Sailability? If you love sailing, or just being out on the water, and also want to help others and to put something back into the community, then Sailability is the perfect fit. It is the amazing community spirit of the club in action.It is so rewarding, while at the same time being so enjoyable. For many of our sailors, the experience is life enhancing. And for some, even life changing. As a volunteer to witness and be a part of this is quite special. Why did Sailability win the Kings Award for Voluntary Service? This was an amazing award to win as it is the highest award a volunteer group can achieve. It is the group equivalent of an MBE and is a life- time honour given in recognition of the fantastic service that Exe sailing Club’s Sailability programme has offered for nearly 20 years. Its prestige puts us at the forefront of the volunteer sector and will hopefully help our fundraising endeavours. As a club member, it is something of which we can all be extremely proud. How does somebody find out more about Sailability or become involved? Why not visit the Sailability link on the club website or email: admin.sailability@exe-sailing-club.org Or you could just pop down to the club on any weekday morning and come and see what we are doing.EXE NEWS Review18 Sailability
Ben learnt to sail here at Exe Sailing Club from the age of eight, first racing Mirror dinghies on the Exe Estuary before progressing through the National Junior Squad and becoming Under-16 National Champion. He then moved into the Laser class, representing Great Britain at three consecutive world championships, before stepping up into the demanding Finn class as part of the British Sailing Team. In the Finn fleet Ben quickly established himself as one of Britain’s leading heavyweights, winning back-to-back British National titles and taking victory at the prestigious Finn World Cup Final in Santander — a result that briefly saw him ranked among the very best Finn sailors in the world.When the Finn was dropped from the Olympic programme, Ben made the leap into the America’s Cup world initially joining Sir Ben Ainslie’s British challenge ahead of the 2021 campaign in New Zealand. Since then, he has become an increasingly versatile and highly valued member of the British Cup effort, earning a reputation as the team’s “Swiss Army knife” — equally capable as a helm, trimmer and development sailor.This latest selection marks his third consecutive America’s Cup campaign and his biggest on-water leadership role yet. For everyone at ESC, his success is a reminder of what can be achieved begining on our stretch of the Exe with Ben continuing to inspire the next generation of ESC sailors. We caught up with Ben during his recent training in Sardinia and asked him about his days on the Exe and how he is finding the Amercica’s Cup preparations. Exe Sailing Club is delighted to celebrate one of our own, with club member Ben Cornish selected as one of just two helms for Britain’s GB1 opening campaign. GB1 America’s Cup: ESC’s Ben Cornish at the HelmPhoto copyright Cameron Gregory EXE NEWS Review19
Ben, what do you remember about learning to sail at Exe Sailing Club? Exe Sailing Club was where I first stepped foot on a boat. And actually, the truth of it is, the first time I ever went sailing I hated it and I made them put me out on Exmouth Seafront and I walked back to the sailing club! But thankfully I pursued it and actually started to really find the love for the freedom of being out there and cast off from the shore, probably the age of eight or nine, I guess. And what did junior sailing teach you that still helps you now? It's a good question. I think the main thing for me looking back from when I was a junior, is the enjoyment. Of course, if you don't enjoy something it makes it really hard to pursue it. And for me as a youngster, it was all about enjoying it and having fun with the people that I grew up racing against. And then you have to keep that going forward. You have to go out on a day like today and find the enjoyment of it. At the same time, it's pushing yourself to the highest level. How would you describe America's Cup sailing to our juniors now? It’s constantly evolving with technology. It's the fastest, it's the most high tech boats that are out there. It's exciting, it's fast, it's full on and it's constantly evolving.What does a normal training day look like for you now? Well, we've just finished one here in sunny Sardinia. We've spent four hours out on the water. We've got two AC40s at the moment, so we're racing them and we're also testing some development projects that we're going to push forward onto our AC75 which will race next summer in Naples. What's the coolest part of sailing that you do now? I think the coolest part of the sailing is the access to these boats. You get to go out on the AC 40s, the AC 75s, which are at the forefront of what yacht racing is now. You know that they're really leading the way in what's capable on sailing boats and it's exciting to be a part of that development. Lastly, what advice would you give to young sailors at Exe Sailing? I think my advice to young sailors, I touched on it earlier for sure, is the enjoyment. Take on the sport and find the things you enjoy in it. And, you know, don't push yourself too hard at an early age. If you've got the energy and the passion for it, then you can progress somewhere to maybe like where I am now.EXE NEWS Review20 Ben Cornish at the Helm
Competitors in the Knight Frank Champagne Challenge, Exe Sailing Club's annual end-of-season cruiser race from Exmouth to Brixham, faced highly variable conditions on 5 September. The race features two fleets: Fleet 1 for faster cruisers and Fleet 2, often known as the Club Class. Both fleets started in a 6-knot westerly breeze, but the wind soon shifted and disappeared entirely, leaving many boats becalmed off Dawlish Warren. Racing resumed when a gentle south-westerly breeze gradually built to 10 knots. Red Fox led Fleet 1 at the first mark, the Teign Outfall Buoy, but Jammin took advantage of the strengthening wind to move into the lead. By the time the fleet reached the Ore Stone east of Torquay, competitors were beating into 15 knots of wind. Skippers split their tactics, with some heading offshore while others remained close to the coast. A freshening breeze, gusting to 18 knots, then carried the boats across Tor Bay towards the finish off Brixham Breakwater. Fleet 2 also experienced unpredictable conditions, with some crews encountering a wind hole off Brixham. Wind directions swung dramatically before filling in again, gusting to 16 knots and producing a fast finish. The first boat home, Jammin, completed the course in 3 hours 15 minutes, with all competitors finishing by 16:20 in time for the evening celebration supper at Brixham Yacht Club. Fleet 1 Winner: Jammin, a J105 owned and helmed by Steve Best, crewed by Guy Mogridge, Alan Sands, Ian Bowden and Oscar Jennings-White. Fleet 2 Winner: Xanté of Exe, a Westerly Fulmar owned and helmed by Hazel Acland, crewed by Tom Dunstan, Emily Wright and Clare Palmer.Challenging Conditions for Knight Frank Champagne ChallengeEXE NEWS Review21Photo copyright DevonDigital.co.uk Report by Ken Clayton
(03)SUMMER VIBES((DAYDREAM))ISABEL MERCADO27.09.29One of the difficulties in cataloguing the club’s 140 or so trophies is that many trophies have been known by different names over the years. For example, a list compiled in 2012 included the Handicap Cup which turned out to be the Exe Sailing Club 1967 Randall-Vining Cup, while the Michael Ellis Memorial is actually called the Little Ship Cup. The Starcross Yacht Club Alford Cup, was also known as the Alford Cup at one time, but was renamed in 1960 as the “Enterprise Class Sunday Cup” which led to it being called the Sunday Cup and eventually the Exe Sailing Club Sunday Cup. All of this meant that working out who won what and when became tricky.Added to that, there are big gaps in the dates when each trophy was won. The Derring Do Cup was originally offered in 1938 when it was won by Winter Sharp sailing a dinghy called Derring Do. But the next winner’s name engraved on the cup was Symon Garrett in 2002. So what happened to it during those sixty or so years? The answer was that trophies were often won outright at one time. So when Winter Sharp won his race in 1938, the trophy was his to keep. Over the years he won about 18 club trophies. When he died in 2001, his family gave the trophies back to the club. so, this one was available for the 2002 season. Families of many of the most successful club sailors did the same.TRICKY TROPHY CHALLENGES KEN CLAYTON’S NOSTALGIC CATALOGUING OF THE THE CLUB’S CUPS EXE NEWS Review22Photo copyright DevonDigital.co.uk
(03)SUMMER VIBES((DAYDREAM))ISABEL MERCADO27.09.29Trying to uncover that information led me to explore the history of sailing competitions and I found that formal races with prizes date back at least to the early years of the nineteenth century. The Checkstone Sailing Club, our club’s predecessor, offered cups to the winners of races from its foundation in 1912. This explains why so many of the trophies have ‘Checkstone Sailing Club’ engraved on them. They were first presented before 1924 when the club’s name was changed to Exe Sailing Club. At that time, although some trophies were kept by the winner, in many cases, the winner of a trophy was expected to hand it back for the following year’s competition. If that happened, they might be given a miniature replica or a tankard to keep. Again, those often made their way back to the club after the winner’s death. As a result, the club has six miniatures of the Norman Cup and five miniatures of the King Cup. The names of the various trophies also carried a story: many were named after their donor so many of the Sharp cups were donated bymembers of the family, particularly Winter, who was Commodore of the club from 1947 to 1970. However, that does not explain all of the trophy names. Some names were created only when the trophies returned. Back in the 1980s, when Hedley Saunders was sailing secretary, he found himself with multiple trophies with the same name, such as the Exe Sailing Club 14ft International Class Cup. Hedley needed to distinguish between all these trophies and hit on the idea of renaming them after the original winner and, often, the boat they were sailing when they won the trophy. This cunning plan wasn’t new. The trophy we now know as the America’s Cup was originally called the RYS £100 Cup. It was won by a yacht called America. When the syndicate that had won the cup donated it to the New York Yacht Club, they renamed it The America’s Cup. So Hedley was following an illustrious precedent. The result was, for example, that one Exe Sailing Club 14 ft International Class Cup became the Best Coralie Cup.EXE NEWS Review23
(03)SUMMER VIBES((DAYDREAM))ISABEL MERCADOThe first winner was S. John Best sailing Coralie. That is also why we have the Deavin Flight 1937 Cup (won in 1937 by Harold Deavin sailing Flight) and many others. One of the consequences of all the research is that I have been able to work out who has won the most club trophies over the years and the top 10 winners (up to and including the 2025 season)The most successful female member at present is Anne Way with 37 wins followed by Rosie Sands with 30 wins. All the information about the trophies that had been gathered by 2025 is in a ring binder on a shelf in the clubhouse bar. This will be updated with the 2025 winners and additional information within the next few months. In the meantime, if there is interest, the next issue of Exe News will have an article about the missing trophies.Guy Farrant 190 Les Arscott 124 Spud Rowsell 108 Chris Rhodes 95 Tony Brewster 86 Ben Jennings 72 Stuart Hills 65 Ivan Wilkinson 63 Derek Rowsell 56 Bob Horlock 51 EXE NEWS Review24 Tricky Trophy ChallengesPhoto copyright DevonDigital.co.uk
The Wine Run is a club tradition spanning many years. This year it was blessed with favourable winds and sunshine for the long weekend in lovely Treguier in Brittany. Ten Exe SC cruisers and 29 folk made the trip across the Channel to the lovely historic port of Treguier on the North Brittany coast. Treguier is approached by a winding river through the beautiful Brittany countryside, lined by oyster beds and the distinctive Brittany cottages with their steep roofs and sturdy construction. All skippers managed to jump the paperwork hurdles to enter and leave France by boat which involves form filling, electronic passport stamping, emails and online notification of border force of the trip. Conditions weregenerally good for crossing the channel and the shipping lanes not too busy. There was plenty of time to explore Treguier with its beautiful cathedral, town square, medieval buildings and hostelries. Nick Martin organised a drinks gathering at the local brewery which coincided with the big Arsenal PSG football game with outdoor screens and noisy supporters. This continued into the evening with PSG supporters thrilled their team won the match with the last penalty kick. Arsenal supporters not quite so thrilled. Our Saturday evening meal followed the big match and we wrapped up warmly to be served our 3 course dinner outside the Petit Baigneur restaurant close to the marina.The Wine Run Treguier 29 May - 1 June 2026 Produced by Jane Williams EXE NEWS Review25
Boats started heading home on Sunday/Monday and met benign conditions for their return Channel crossing or for hopping further west along the Brittany coast. Exeat, Indulgence, Soleste, and Vela Fresca all heading west to extend their summer cruising west and south. Special congratulations to Sophie Lina and Richard and Ian for a safe and fun first crossing of the Channel. Also special mention for David Palfreman and Speculator 2 - after many hours of work on the engine, Speculator 2 made a safe passage to and from Treguier. Thoughts for next year are that we head for St Vaast to the east of Cherbourg. If anyone has any other suggestions please get in touch. Special thanks to Martin Minter for organising the dinner with ‘Jean who says non’ and to Nick Martin for the brewery gathering.Boats in Treguier: Exeat - Tink Dixon and crew Exeuberant - Dave and Pat Selby Indulgence - Jane Williams and crew Juno - George and Martin Rock-Evans and crew Patrona - John Southwell and crew Soleste - Martin Minter and crew Sophie Lima - Richard and Ian Pain Speculator 2 - David Palfreman and crew Vela Fresca - Neil and Liz Matson Zephyr - Karen Melling and crewEXE NEWS Review26 The Wine Run
A Trip Through Our History https://archives.exe-sailing-club.org By Ted DraperAs well as images and videos, you'll find electronic copies of important club publications, including John Fletcher's excellent History of the Club, 1912–1952. Whether you're looking up a familiar face, researching the club's history, or simply enjoying a trip down memory lane, there's something for everyone in the archive. Keep an eye out for our junior sailors too - you may well spot tomorrow's sailing stars in today's photographs. There are now around 850 items in the archive, with more being added regularly. The photographs accompanying this article are just a random sample of what's in the archive. How well do you know the club's history? Try these questions before heading to the archive Who took a keelboat to Scotland on the back of a builder’s lorry in 1955? Which dinghy class contested the first national championship hosted by the club in 1978? Which port was the destination of the first Champagne Challenge Cruiser Race in 1993? (It wasn't Brixham!)Our electronic archive is a fascinating record of over 100 years of club life, bringing together photographs, videos, newspaper cuttings, event reports and members' stories from the club's earliest days right through to the present. The oldest image shows boats on the seafront in 1901, eleven years before the ESC was formed. At the other end of the timeline are photographs of our sailors competing at the 2026 South West Junior Championships and the Tera Worlds in Germany. EXE NEWS Review27
1991 Clubhouse after Shelly Road bungalows demolished1938 Club dinghy list 2004 Trio Nationals - Broady & Sydenham 1975 Chay Blyth opening clubhouse1980 Rowsell & McAusland EXE NEWS Review28 A Trip Through Our History
Saturday tested sailors and race management alike, with demanding conditions in the bay. Following a careful assessment by the race team, racing went ahead safely and successfully, providing four exciting races that showcased both the skill of the competitors and the versatility of the venue. Despite the challenging weather, the fleet enjoyed close racing throughout, with thrilling downwind plaining conditions and battles for position across the fleet. Sunday brought a complete contrast, with lighter and more variable winds creating a tactical challenge for competitors. Additional boats joined the fleet, further enhancing the competition. Race Officer Mike Way and his team managed the shifting conditions expertly, ensuring all scheduled races were completed and maintaining a high standard of race management throughout the day. The event was ultimately won by Si Horsfield and Darren Kirkham, who secured four race victories across the weekend.Exe Sailing Club Delivers Outstanding RS2000 Millennium Series Weekend Produced from an event report from Jay WhiteheadExe Sailing Club was proud to host the West Country Boat Repairs Millennium Series 6, delivering an excellent weekend of racing for the RS2000 fleet. Across seven races, competitors experienced a full range of conditions, from challenging 28-knot gusts and large waves on Saturday to lighter, tactical sailing on Sunday. EXE NEWS Review29Photos copyrite Merrick Stanley
Congratulations to Jay and Alice Whitehead from Exe who finished second overall, while Natalie Johnston and Katie Horsfield claimed third after a consistently strong performance. Beyond the racing, the weekend reflected everything that makes hosting class events at Exe Sailing Club so rewarding. It was particularly encouraging to welcome new faces to the RS2000 fleet and to see their confidence and performance grow throughout the event. The supportive atmosphere within the class, with experienced sailors freely sharing advice and encouragement, contributed greatly to the success of the weekend.The club would like to thank the race committee, safety boat crews and all volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. From launching and recovery support to providing refreshments, bacon rolls and post- race cake, their efforts helped create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all competitors and visitors. With a testing mix of conditions, highly competitive racing and positive feedback from sailors, the event was a great success for Exe Sailing Club. We were delighted to showcase our racing area, our volunteer team and our hospitality, and we look forward to welcoming the RS2000 class back next year for their National Championships.EXE NEWS Review30 RS2000 Millennium Series
Commodore Mike Way answers members' questions on incorporation Mike, what exactly is incorporation? At present, Exe Sailing Club is an unincorporated association. While that structure has served us well, it means the club doesn't legally exist as a separate entity. Property, contracts and certain financial arrangements have to be held or undertaken by individuals acting on behalf of the club. Incorporation would create Exe Sailing Club Ltd, a legal entity in its own right. The club would be able to own its assets, enter contracts and manage its affairs directly. It's a structure recommended by both the RYA and Sport England for clubs like ours. Exe Sailing Club is enjoying a period of remarkable success. With nearly 1,300 members, a busy racing calendar, a strong Sailability programme and facilities that rank among the best in the South-West, the club is thriving. But success also brings responsibility, and the Management Committee believes the time is right to strengthen the club's legal foundations through incorporation. To help members understand the proposal, Comms Officer Mike Dixon sat down with our Commodore Mike Way, to ask some of the most common questions being discussed around the clubhouse. SECURING THE FUTURE OF EXE SAILING CLUBQ EXE NEWS Review31
Will incorporation change the club I know today? No. That's one of the key messages we want members to understand. Membership remains the same. Racing, cruising, training, social events and Sailability continue exactly as they do now. There is no increase in membership fees as a result of incorporation, and the club will continue to be run by members for members through an elected committee. For most members, very little will change in day-to-day club life. The difference is largely behind the scenes, in how the organisation is structured legally. Are directors going to take over from members? Absolutely not. The Management Committee would become the directors of the new company, but they would be the same elected volunteers serving the club just as they do today. Members will continue to elect the committee, vote at AGMs and approve major decisions. The democratic principles that have always guided Exe Sailing Club remain unchanged.Why is the committee recommending this change now? The simple answer is that the club has grown. We're a substantial organisation with significant assets, a large active membership and an ambitious future. The committee believes the legal structure should reflect that reality and provide a secure framework for the years ahead. This isn't about changing what Exe Sailing Club is; it's about protecting what we've built and ensuring future generations inherit a club that's legally robust and fit for purpose. What's the biggest benefit for members? Without doubt, it's protection. Under the proposed Company Limited by Guarantee structure, members' liability is limited to just £1 if the company were ever wound up with outstanding debts. Committee members and volunteers also gain significantly greater protection from personal financial liability when carrying out their roles. In short, the people who give their time to run and support the club are better protected, while the club itself gains a clear legal identity.EXE NEWS Review32 Securing the future
Both approaches were ultimately rejected because they would add unnecessary complexity, administration and cost, while providing little practical benefit. The committee concluded that a single company structure is the simplest, most efficient and most effective solution. Why choose a Company Limited by Guarantee? The committee compared a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) with a Community Interest Company (CIC). While both were viable options, the CLG emerged as the better fit for a member-run sailing club. It is the structure recommended by the RYA, involves simpler reporting requirements and keeps the focus firmly on member control. Importantly, the CLG model also leaves open the possibility of moving to another structure in the future should circumstances change.Incorporation provides clearer governance, not less member involvement. How does incorporation help the club's future? One significant advantage is access to funding. Many grant providers prefer, or even require, organisations to be incorporated before they can apply for support. Incorporation therefore strengthens the club's ability to secure funding for future improvements to facilities, equipment and programmes such as Sailability. As a club that continually invests in its members and facilities, having access to a wider range of funding opportunities is an important strategic benefit. Did the committee look at other options? Yes. The committee reviewed a range of alternatives before reaching its recommendation. One option was to create two companies—one to own the property and another to run club activities. Another was to retain club property through trustees while a company managed operations.EXE NEWS Review33
Any final thoughts you wanted to share? The most important thing for members to understand, is that incorporation isn't about changing Exe Sailing Club - it's about safeguarding it. By removing personal liability risks, creating a permanent legal identity, improving access to external funding and adopting a structure recommended by the sport's governing bodies, the committee believes incorporation represents a sensible and forward-looking step. At the same time, the qualities that make Exe Sailing Club special - its community spirit, volunteer culture and member-led approach - remain exactly the same. For a club with a proud past and an exciting future, incorporation is about providing the strongest possible foundation for the next chapter. Thank you MikeWhat will it cost? The estimated one-off cost of incorporation is approximately £4,500 plus VAT, covering company formation, tax clearance, property transfer and administrative work. The committee views this as a modest investment in protecting the club's future for decades to come. There is also a commitment that if costs were expected to rise above £10,000, members would be asked to approve further expenditure. What happens next? The process is designed to be transparent and member-led. We’ve completed an initial consultation with members. As we develop the details we will continue to share these with the membership and actively listen for any concerns. Articles of Association will be prepared before an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) is held, giving members the opportunity to formally vote on the proposal. No irreversible steps will be taken without member approval.If members have further questions: You can find information available on the club website or please contact: Hon. Secretary (honsec@exe-sailing-club.org) or Mike Way (commodore@exe-sailing-club.org). Also, please come along to future forums or EGM’s. EXE NEWS Review34 Securing the future