The Autism on the Water Regatta - The Big Report!
After months of hard work and many hours of back and forth emails, telephone calls and hair pulling moments, the first ever Autism on the Water (AOTW) regatta was declared a roaring success. Not only did we get lucky with the outstanding weather we experienced, but we recorded a healthy entry of 10 yachts plus a fantastic turnout of 30 people with autism out on the water during the event.
The event kicked off with the feeder race from Oban to Crinan on Friday. With no wind in Oban Bay for the 0745 start, race officer and charity trustee Eilidh McQueen elected to take the fleet south to find some wind. A start line was laid at the bottom of Kerrera sound but with still no sufficient wind, McQueen continued to take the fleet south where a start line was laid at Fladda lighthouse. The fleet made their way in glorious sunshine and a light breeze but ultimately struggled against the strong tide that was turning against them which forced some boats to retire. Those who pushed on managed to get through the Dorus Mor and enjoy a sparkling a sail to the finish line off the Crinan Hotel. Taking line honours and the generous Seafood platter courtesy of Ross Ryan was Graham Anderson and team on the Sun Odyessy 42i Rooster Cogburn from Oban but on handicap, it was Darren Taylor and Alex Spence from Tayvallich Sailing Club on Bluefin the SK700 who were declared the victors on handicap and the first ever winners of Dunkie & Kenny MacDonald Memorial Bucket and bottle of Talisker Whisky donated by Murray, Michael and Martin MacDonald. Taking runner up on handicap was Patrick Shellcock on the Formula 28 Khaos with Rooster Cogburn in third.
The fleet were given a warm welcome into the Crinan Canal Basin before getting a even bigger welcome by the Ryan Family of the Crinan Hotel where competitors were welcomed with a complementary glass of Prosecco before enjoying a great evening with fantastic live music and excellent food.
The main regatta day dawned on Saturday with again spectacular sunshine. With a forecast of light winds outside of Loch Crinan, race officer Murray MacDonald decided to keep the fleet within Loch Crinan on more shorter courses to take advantage of the steady wind. The fleet locked out of the basin in time for the 10:30 start with Classes 1 & 2 starting together.
Race 1 saw the fleet head to the windward mark before heading down to the turning mark off Crinan Harbour before rounding Rabbit Island and back to the finish. The first round went without a hitch but the second round saw light to shifty wind for the back enders of the fleet. Those who stayed to the right of Rabbit Island were rewarded with a sparkling breeze to the finish. Darren & Alex on Bluefin continued their success of the day before to win Class 1 in the first race from the Shellcock family on Khaos with Richard Marshall’s Dufour 32 Doofer finishing third. Class 2 was won by Rooster Cogburn from the beautiful classic yacht Macaria with the Westerly Merlin Kelpie D taking third. In the beautiful Oban Skiff Class, it was Tern that took the win from Iris Jessie.
Race 2 saw Race Officer MacDonald elect to shorten the course to ensure the fleet stayed within the breeze. Classes 1&2 completed 2 rounds whilst the Oban Skiffs did one round. Khaos fought back in race 2 to take Class 1 closely followed by Bluefin with Doofer again in third place. It was the same line up in Class 2 with Rooster Cogburn winning from Macaria with Kelpie D in third. The Oban Skiffs had close racing with Iris Jessie this time winning from Tern - both boats looking spectacular under canvas.
With the fading wind and tight time limit to return to the canal basin, MacDonald elected to abandon a third race.
Taking Class 1 on countback was Khaos followed by closely by Bluefin with Doofer in third. Rooster Cogburn convincingly won Class 2 with Macaria and Kelpie D close behind. The Oban Skiffs also went to a countback with Tern taking the win from Iris Jessie.
Meanwhile outside of the racing, the beautiful classic yacht “Scarbh” owned by Ross Ryan and the Crinan Canal Cruises were busy all day giving people with autism the chance to get out on the water and be part of the regatta. This for many was the highlight of the day to experience the incredible life changing memories the young people created. BBC ALBA were also warmly welcomed along where they produced a short news piece which was aired on Monday evening.
The fleet returned to the canal basin to continue the incredible weather before retiring to the Crinan Hotel for the prizegiving, prizes were very generously donated by North Sails, CRHU Chandlery, Jura, Ardbeg and Bruchladdich whiskies along with some beautiful hand crafted trophies made by Peter Caldwell.
The AOTW Regatta Trophy for the best overall performance of the event was closely contested, in the end it was Graham Anderson and Rooster Cogburn that were declared winners of the event in recognition of their early support of the event as well as their brilliant performance winning Class 2. The Best overall Classic Yacht was won by the family owned 'Macaria'.
Organiser, race officer and AOTW chair Murray MacDonald was thrilled with the success of the event “it couldn’t have gone any better” he grinned “I am physically and mentally exhausted as this has been a huge amount of organisation, but every bit of it has been worth it. I can’t thank enough firstly the competitors for coming, the entire team at the Crinan Hotel and Coffee Shop, Scottish Canals, Crinan Boatyard, Oban Sailing Club, Crinan Canal Cruises, Crinan Classic Charters, CRHU Chandlery, North Sails plus everyone else who played a part. AOTW exists to provide free of charge sailing and boating for people with autism and we achieved that big time here at Crinan. What thrills me is that everyone here had a great time and they want to do it again! So I am pleased to confirm that AOTW will run this regatta again in 2026 and we will return to Crinan for it!”
The event concluded with a splendid night in the hotel with excellent music, great food and a spectacular Crinan Sunset to round off a cracking weekend!