© Old Gaffers Association March 2012 The Old Gaffers Association: Formed in 1963 to promote Gaff Rig THE Association for Gaff Rig and Traditional Boat Sailing

Gaffer events you may have spotted on the East Coast include weekend cruises in local rivers, including the Deben, the Orwell, the Stour, the Colne, the Blackwater and the Crouch. There's a big week-long family orientated cruise in the summer, plenty of barbeques on beaches, and even racing at various Town Regattas - like many sailors some of our number reckon that two gaffers travelling in the same direction is automatically a race and put all their skills (and sails) into action to get ahead. But don't ask any member to try and explain how we arrive at a fair system for handicapping such a wide variety of different shapes and sizes of boat or you might regret it. All in all some 30 days plus of events in the season, and out of season activities too. We mingle with members on Kent side of the Thames estuary, and travel further afield too: some of us venture regularly across the North Sea to Belgium and Holland or down to France to participate in Old Gaffer events there. Open boat sailing has featured considerably in the sailing programme over the years and the unique Swallows and Amazons event at Walton-on-the- Naze is one of the largest gatherings of traditional sailing dinghies and smacks' boats in the OGA, attracting many with families and children. New members are always made very welcome - they make new friends with whom to share cruising experiences, tales of their adventures and, perhaps even more importantly, technical ideas and advice for maintaining their craft. Excellent value for just £27 a year membership! To join in the fun your gaffer doesn't have to be old, it can be modern and GRP - or if your boat is traditionally built and of a certain age it doesn't have to be gaff-rigged - and to join up just to enjoy the spectacle and support the aims you don't even have to have a boat at all. If you haven't joined already then join up here on the main OGA site, and then come and meet the East Coast Area, and find out what's going on, on our own website - click the button on the right. The East Coast area has published its own local area newsletter “Eastcoaster” to cover its extensive programme for many years. Contact the area: Area President: Peter Thomas Tel: 01473 832808 e-mail: p.m.thomas@talk21.com   Area Secretary: Peter Elliston Tel: 01206 391870 e-mail: ecsec@oldgaffersassociation.org