11 Members of W.S.C visited Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club in Dublin Bay to join in their celebrations of the IDRA 14 Class Diamond Jubilee, the sister class of our own Dragonfly.

Sailing clubs from Clontarf, Sutton and Dun Laoghaire actively race the IDRA’s and between them they gathered over 40 boats to partake in the weekends events.

Although there were strong winds on both Friday and Saturday most boats raced in team/ individual events and IDRA members kindly took on Dragonfly crews allowing us to experience first hand the modern rigging, trapeze and spinnaker chutes of their boats. Even though we got a little bit wetter than usual it was exhilarating to hang out on the trapeze and thankfully we all managed to avoid a swing out around the forestay 

Although the development of the IDRA Class has been immense, it was amazing to find that these 14 dinghies have inspired exactly the same passion and enthusiasm within its members, and many an hour was spent in the bar debating trapeze and spinnaker chutes.

Though we weren’t able to match the prowess of our Irish friends either on the water or in the bar we gave it a fair shot and it took some days to recover.

We were also asked to contribute to the event, Caroline Wheeler-Rowe (No. 39) created a beautiful birthday card with a sketch of a W.S.C member trapezing from an IDRA and Derek Jacobs (Class Captain, No. 32) and Rosie Black (No.5) took part in an interview which the IDRA hope to use in the future for local television/ radio.

Very generously all of those visiting were presented with special mementos to mark the event, and the Dragonfly Class was also presented with its very own hand crafted IDRA 14 to take home, which we will be proud to display at the club.

The Waldringfield crew would like to say special thanks Ian and Becky Sargent for inviting us to share in their celebrations to Ciaran, Pat, Dave and Donald for taking us out to experience the trapeze (we trust Ciaran’s capsizing streak ends sometime soon!!), and to Charles and everyone there for the amazing hospitality extended to us during our stay.

Unfortunately we were unable to stay on Sunday but understand that a total of 42 IRDA’s were lined up on the Clontarf promenade, what a fantastic sight that must have been.

We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend’s activities and are only sad that we are not able to join them the following Saturday for the ‘Jubilee Dinner’.

We wish the IDRA class continued success in everything they do.