Reports & Stories

This page is devoted to reports, stories and items connected to the police and police sailing.
Items appear in virtually chronological order; the latest at the top...

Click on the picture to reach the report Ag00051_.gif (1652 bytes) Police Sport UK Sailing Section AGM 2023

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 24th October, 2023 by way of MS TEAMS conference 

  National Police Sailing 1973!

A report on the first national police regatta held at Queen Mary Reservoir Sailing Club in May 1973. 

  Police Sport UK Sailing Section AGM 2022

A report on the meeting held on Monday, 6th February, 2023 by way of MS TEAMS conference

 

  Police Sport UK Sailing Section AGM 2020

A report on the meeting held on Tuesday, 6th October, 2020 based at NSY,  by way of MS TEAMS conference

 

  Police Sport UK Rules for Championship Organisers

A Powerpoint presentation from Ian Campbell, PSUK Executive Officer:
Many Sections will already be making arrangements for the hosting of PSUK Championships in 2021.
It is important that each Organiser receives a copy of the Rules a copy which can also be found on the www.teampolice.uk website 'ABOUT PSUK' pages

  Police Sport UK Offshore Sailing Championships 2019

A report from Nick Mason on the week's regatta

  PSUK Outstanding Achievement awards presented to Met sailors Fran Gifford and Pete Walker

The Metropolitan Police Sailing Club vice commodore, Gareth Griffiths presented the awards at the MPSC AGM held at the Little Ship Club, London in November, 2019.

  Police Sport UK Sailing Section AGM 2019

A report on the meeting held on Wednesday, 2nd October, 2019 based at NPCC HQ., Victoria Street by way of a telephone conference

 

  Police Sport UK Sailing Section AGM 2018

A report on the meeting held on Friday 9th November 2018  based at NPCC HQ., Victoria Street by way of a telephone conference

  P.S.U.K. represented at the 2018 World Police Sailing Championships

In 2018 the World Police Sailing Championships were held in Croatia. Having won the PSUK Offshore Sailing Championships in 2017, Nick Mason and his team from the Metropolitan Police Sailing Club represented the PSUK in this World Police Regatta.

  Police Sport UK Sailing Section Meetings held during 2017
Minutes
of the PSUK Offshore Consultative Meeting 2017.
Minutes of the PSUK Dinghy Consultative Meeting 2017
Minutes of the PSUK Sailing Section AGM 2017.
  P.S.U.K. at the Merlin Week, Salcombe Yacht Club 2017

Fran Gifford represented the British Police at the Merlin Rocket Week, Salcombe having won the PSUK Dinghy Sailing Championship the previous year.

  P.S.U.K. at the D-One Gold Cup 2016 World Championship

Simon Hawkes represented the British Police in the D-One Gold Cup 2016 World Championship having won the PSUK Singlehanded Sailing Championship the previous year.

  Police Sport UK Sailing Section Meetings held during 2016
Minutes
of the PSUK Dinghy Consultative Meeting 2016.
Minutes of the PSUK Sailing Section AGM 2016.
 
 

The International Copper’s Cup 2015.

The Copper’s Cup moves to Croatia.
The first International Copper’s Cup Regatta was organised by a group of Interpol sailing enthusiasts from Holland in 1989 when they invited employees from European law enforcement authorities to take part.

From those small beginnings the bi-annual event has gone from strength to strength.
This is  an account of Dorset's participation in this year's event.

  Police Sport UK Sailing Section Meetings held during 2015
Minutes
of the PSUK Offshore Consultative Meeting 2015.
Minutes of the PSUK Dinghy Consultative Meeting 2015.
Minutes of the PSUK Sailing Section AGM 2015.
  British Police at the D-One National and European Championships, 2014
Once again, Simon Hawkes represented the British Police in a National Dinghy Regatta having won the PSUK Singlehanded Sailing Championship the previous year. This time sailing a Devoti D-one.
  British Police at the Osprey Class National Championships, 2014
Besides winning the Single-hander Championship, Simon Hawkes also won the PSUK Dinghy Championship in 2014. Nick Mason had been his crew. They opted to represent Police Sport UK at the Osprey Nationals in July, 2015 but arrangements did not go according to plan...
  "The Scuttlebutt"
For many years the Sussex Police Offshore Sailing Club have produced a magazine on the Section's activities. In this (Sept 2014) pdf edition you will find their recent experiences involved with the Police Gurney Fund.
(You may have already read Bryan Tucker's earlier item below on 'Gurney Sailing').
  British Police at the Phantom Nationals 2013
With the support of the PSUK Sailing Section, Nick Mason represented the British Police in a national dinghy event during 2013.
His selected event was the Phantom Nationals held at Shoreham Sailing Club on 6th - 8th September, 2013.This is Nick's own story of his preparation and performance in the two day event.
  British Police at the National Solo Inland Championship, 2013
As a result and with the support of the PSUK Sailing Section, Paul Heath was offered the opportunity to represent the British Police in a national dinghy event during 2013.
This is Paul's own story of his preparation and performance in the two day event.
  Police Sport UK Sailing Section Meetings
held during
2013

Minutes
of the PSUK Offshore Consultative Meeting.
To follow:
Minutes of the PSUK Dinghy Consultative Meeting (Sept). Minutes of the PSUK Sailing Section AGM (Oct).
  Police Sport UK Sailing Section Meetings
held during
2012

Minutes
of the PSUK Offshore Consultative Meeting. Minutes of the PSUK Dinghy Consultative Meeting. Minutes of the PSUK Sailing Section AGM.
  'GYBE OH'
These days we keep up to date with the happenings in police sailing via the Internet. The hard copy newsletters which once reported on our regattas have now become obsolete as a means of getting the word out but until the late 90's there was virtually only the postman to bring the news by which we kept abreast of events.

In those days, much was due to the efforts of Eric Molyneux who first produced the MPSC magazine in the 70's and Len Gooch who endeavoured to cover every regatta in which the Met participated.

Thanks are also due to Chaz Jordan - also now to Len Gooch - who have provided some early editions of GYBE OH which we hope you will enjoy.

There still may be more old Gybe-Oh newsletters out there?...

  Dusty's Fastnet Race 2011
Sussex Police Sailing Club member, Dusty Miller’s involvement in the 2011 Fastnet Race as a crew member of Leopard Clipper.

The Fastnet Race 2011 – These are the highlights – The preparation – The Training – The Race.

"Being involved and participating in the Fastnet Race is nothing like you would imagine. It is like no other race I have ever undertaken.."

  Police Sport UK Sailing Section
Meetings
held during 2011

Minutes
of the PSUK Offshore Consultative Meeting. Minutes of the PSUK Dinghy Consultative Meeting. Minutes of the PSUK Sailing Section AGM.

 

Police Sport UK Offshore Sailing Championships 2011
Nottinghamshire Police Sailing Section, the current PSUK Offshore Champions, attempt to make it 8 championship wins in a row.
The following is an account submitted by Pete Walters, the skipper of Notts 'A' Team.

 

British Police at Cowes, 2010
Police Sport UK National Offshore Sailing Champions are Notts Police Sailing Section and once again they represented the British Police during Cowes Week. This year it was back to the J109 Fleet.

Skipper Pete Walters recounts the endeavours of the Notts team.

 

British Police at the Phantom Nationals, 2010

British Police at the Phantom Nationals, 2010
Police Sport UK National Dinghy Sailing Championship held at Netley Sailing Club in 2009 was won by Simon Hawkes representing Avon & Somerset Constabulary. As a result and with the support of the PSUK Sailing Section, he was offered the opportunity to represent the British Police in a national dinghy event during 2010.
His selected event was the Phantom Dinghy Nationals to be held at Stone Sailing Club on 28th-30 July, 2010.
This is Simon's own story of his preparation and performance in the three day event.
 

Round Britain & Ireland Yacht Race 2010
This race is sponsored by the SHETLAND ISLANDS COUNCIL and is for Two-Handed Mono and Multihull Yachts between 30’ and 50’ in length.

Met officer Richard Lett and his partner Sharon are taking part in a purpose-built yacht, 'Velocity Girl' and sailing on behalf of the Richard House Children's Hospice.

The race will start on Sunday, 6th June, 2010 from from the Royal Western Yacht Club, Plymouth. From the start of the race on 6th June, 2010, it is planned to update this page frequently with reports from 'Velocity Girl'

 

Police Sport UK Offshore Sailing Championships 2010
The current Offshore Champions, Notts 'A' Team arrived at Port Solent for the event on Sunday, 16th May, 2010.
The following is an account submitted by Pete Walters, the skipper of Notts 'A' Team.

 

PAA Sailing - How It All Began
Albeit an item regarding the start of our national dinghy event appeared in the 2008 PSUK Dinghy Sailing programme, found in the 1987 programme was an article on "PAA Sailing - How It All Began". If you are interested in a brief history of how our national dinghy event started, this item may suffice..

 

PSUK Sailing Section AGM held October, 2009
A brief report on the AGM held at Thames Valley FHQ. Neither of the Organisers of next year's regattas were able to attend but, there being 6 present - the Sailing Section's Constitution requiring a quorum of 4 - the meeting continued. These are not the minutes.
(Feb 2010 - Official minutes now available via the PSUK website.)

 

Fran and Pete do Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week, July 2009
In 2008 Frances Gifford and Pete Walker (Met) won the PSUK National Dinghy Sailing Championships and were thus provided with the opportunity to compete the following year in a National Dinghy regatta representing Police Sport UK. They chose the Merlin Rocket Week held annually at Salcombe,

 

Police Sport UK at the
UK Laser Association Inland Masters Championship, 2009

Paul Heath (Greater Manchester Police) won the Police Sport UK Laser Sailing Championship held at Northampton Sailing Club in June, 2008, which subsequently entitled him to represent the British Police in 2009 in a national event. Paul reports on his weekend at the UK Laser Inland Masters..

 

The Consultative Meeting of the PSUK Offshore Championships, 2009.
A report on the meeting held at Cowes Marina on 21st May, 2009. This meeting now replaces the previous AGM's held during the regatta.
These are not the official posted minutes which should be published later on the PSUK website...
 

Cowes Week, 2009
Nottinghamshire Police
, having again won the Police Sport UK National Offshore Championships in 2008 were given the opportunity and support to represent the British Police.

This year, they returned to the Sunsail 37 fleet hoping to complete 'unfinished business'.. 

  The Consultative Meeting of the PSUK Dinghy Championships, 2009.
A report on the meeting held at Netley Sailing Club on Wednesday, 10th June, 2009. This meeting now replaces the previous AGM's held during the Dinghy regatta.
It is not the minutes...
  PSUK Sailing Section EGM & AGM held February, 2009
This item now Reports on the two meetings...
A new Constitution of the Police Sport UK Sailing Section was passed. If you are interested in such matters, you are urged to read the reports of the meetings. These are not the Minutes. Also shown are the Competition Rules for running the PSUK Sailing Championship events.
  IPA Adriatic Cup Regatta, 2008
In May this year a number of serving and retired officers from the southwest region of the UK International Police Association made their way to Croatia to take part in the IPA Adriatic Cup regatta.

The two teams made up from the Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Force members made up the regatta of just three yachts using Grand Soleil's.

 

The First National Police Sailing Regatta
In May 1973, the Police Review recorded details of the first National Police Regatta. Jane's Information Group has kindly given permission for the article to be re-printed here.
 

Skandia Cowes Week, 2007
Nottinghamshire Police
, having won the Police Sport UK National Offshore Championships the previous year, were given the opportunity and support to represent the British Police.

This year, they decided to race in the J Class - a J109 with asymmetric spinnaker....

 

Cork Week 2006
In July, 2006 the Nottinghamshire Police Offshore team took part in Cork Week representing 'Police Sport UK'. This is a report on their week.
 

Round Britain & Ireland Race 2006
Two Met officers, Justin Rowley & Richard Lett, have got together to take part in the race which commences in June.
News is available via the Race website but here it is hoped to provide a personal update and give you the story of Justin & Richard's race
 

Europol Coppers' Cup 2005
The IJsselmeer in the Netherlands is the venue for the Europol Coppers' Cup - an international sailing regatta for members of law enforcement agencies. .
Paul Smith aboard the Dorset Police team boat provides some details from the 2005 event.
 

Police Sport UK Sailing Committee Meetings held during 2005
Containing the Minutes of the Offshore Section AGM held in May, 2005 also the Minutes of the Dinghy Section AGM held in June, 2005.
Now includes:
The minutes of the PSUK Sailing Section AGM held in October 2005.
 

One Man and his Boat
Tony Johnson retired from the Police in 1982 having been a leading light in the development of the Northants Police Sailing Section.

In his later years Tony transferred from dinghies to yachts. This article was first published in 'Yachting Monthly' who have kindly given permission for its publication here.

 

"Cowes Week, 2005"
A report from Nottinghamshire Police representing the British Police at the Skandia Cowes Week, 2005.
 

Gurney Sailing
The Police Gurney Charity supports sailing for teenagers of police families who have been affected in some way by a family trauma.

Bryan Tucker has been involved in Gurney Sailing as skipper or crew for many years. Here he reports on 'Gurney 2005'' - when Ellen McArthur came aboard...

 

Team Racing Report
In the week preceding the Trafalgar 200 celebrations, the MPSC were invited to compete against the Royal Navy Sailing Association in a team-racing event at Whale Island, Portsmouth. The team-racing took place in Bosuns.
 

Skiffs!
Metropolitan Police sailor Dan Johnson competed in the 18' Skiff World Championships as part of the British RMW Marine Team during 19 - 27 February 2005.
 

Jelly's Last Wobble?
PSUK Offshore Championships, 2005...
This is the story of the event from one of the yachts competing. Chris Jellis (known by his colleagues as "Jelly") was the skipper of the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary 's entry.
 

"Sally Endeavour"

"Sally Endeavour"
Another story of the 90's from Charlie Jordan which tells of a trip aboard the "Sally Endeavour" from Belfast to Cowes Week with children from Northern Ireland.
 

Click this picture to go to the article on Cowes Week 2004

"Cowes Week, 2004"
This time it's Ross Elliston and crew, Met Police, winners of the Police National Offshore Champs in 2003, who represent the British Police at Cowes Week, 2004.
 

Click this picture to go to the article on Blue Arrow's "America's Cup Challenge"

"Challenge"
Chaz Jordan looks back on the 80's and his involvement with Blue Arrow's "America's Cup Challenge".
 

Click this picture to go to the article on Cowes Week 2003

The British Police compete in Cowes Week, 2003
The PAA Offshore Sailing Section supported a yacht
representing the British Police in Class 4 IRC. John Oldham gives some guidance for the future.
 

Click this picture to go to the article on Police Sport UK

Report of the Structure Review Working Party
In 2002, a PAA working party produced a report with proposals for the future of PAA Sport including its re-branding as "Police Sport UK".
 

Click on this picture to go to the article on Alan Husk

Barnacle Bill meets Alan Husk
The PAA Dinghy Sailing Champion for 2001, gives an interview on his sailing life.

Peter Phillips

A Face from the Past
Peter Phillips, sailor extraordinaire.
 

Sample item on Lasers

'In praise of Lasers'
A few reasons why this Olympic Class dinghy is so popular

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