Following excellent support at other Paddle events so far this year it is disappointing to report the forced cancellation of the NSSC Streaker open due to a lack of entrants. After a week of near gales and rough seas, and with TV forecasts of continuing bad weather (morning TV allegedly showing picures of children being air lifted off of Dartmoor), it was perhaps not so surprising that people stayed at home. However, grateful thanks still go to the club who spent time organising the event and ensured that on the day the committee and rescue boats, the bar and the canteen were all fully staffed.

Sunday 13th May dawned grey and overcast with continuous light rain and an easterly Force 3 breeze. The sea state in the English Channel was almost flat providing easy launching conditions. The open meeting had been planned as a joint event with the OK Class who managed to field four boats, although unfortunately one failed to make the start line for the first race due to a jammed centreboard. Sadly, the Streakers by contrast only managed a single entrant, Alan Simmons from Lancing SC. Reluctantly Alan, seeing no other competitors arrive, de-rigged again and headed home without even taking to the water.