It's a Miracle!
Published 14:21 on 1 Oct 2024
A regular visitor to Shotwick Lake might be surprised at the number of boats they see being trailed in and out of the club. As well as taking part in the regular racing at the club, many members participate in local, national and international events. Simon and Julie Dolman recently took their Miracle,Hocus Pocus, over to Rutland Water to take part in the week-long Miracle National competition.
It all began at Shotwick in 2014. Here is their story…
Our sailing adventure began in 2014 when we completed the RYA Level 1 and 2 courses at Shotwick Lake Sailing Club. The courses were extremely fun and enjoyable hence we quickly became hooked on the sport. However, life had other plans and shortly after we moved to France for three years. This break from sailing only fuelled our passion and we eagerly returned to the club in 2019.
Since our return weve been steadily immersing ourselves into competitive sailing. We started with our first boat, a Miracle dinghy named "Bumble." For the past two years weve been participating in local events, gradually honing our skills. This year we decided to push our limits and entered four open events: the Welsh Area Championships at Shotwick, Northern Area Championships at Delph, Miracle 50th Anniversary at Carsington and most recently in our new boat 4011 Hocus Pocus, Miracle Nationals at Rutland.
Competing at these events has been both exhilarating and challenging. Transitioning from staying "out of the way" in club races to attempting to hold our own at the Nationals has been a steep learning curve, but one weve embraced with enthusiasm.
The Miracle Nationals in particular was a highlight for us. It gave us the opportunity to race against the best and quickly appreciate the high level of competition. We faced a variety of conditions; from racing in very light, tricky winds to battling through gusts of up to 33 knots. Finishing those races and safely returning to shore felt like victories in themselves! Yet, what stood out most was the camaraderie and inclusivity of the Miracle fleet. Fellow sailors were incredibly welcoming, offering advice, helping with boat setup and sharing tips and tricks that we eagerly soaked up. The social events were also great fun. We enjoyed BBQs, quizzes and participated in the Miracle AGM, all of which added to the sense of community.
Looking back, we feel immense gratitude to the instructors at Shotwick Lake Sailing Club. Their dedication and passion for introducing us and others to sailing laid the foundation for our fantastic journey. We would also like to thank the organisers and volunteers who make these events possible and the sailors who have welcomed us into this wonderful sport—thank you! Your support has made our journey from novices to nationals an unforgettable experience. We cant wait to see what the future holds and look forward to many more adventures on the water!
If you are interested in starting to race, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us we would love to help you get started!
Last updated 16:58 on 12 October 2024
