Regatta Raft Race 2010

This year we went for plastic containers rather than the heavy metal drums we used last year...in the hope that we'd be more streamlined.

Will it work??
Looking good with Meg on board - it floats!!!

Our staff, Mike Molly, Ben and Jack arrive from working at Whitestrand at 5.30pm just in time for the race start. Only one of them was sensible enough to wear a wetsuit!!!

But as soon as the whole crew boarded, the raft seemed strangely low in the water.

And our dreams of beating the lifeboat crew were crushed

Everyone was well and truly drenched.....fancy a swim?!

Star Runner

The overall of Salcombe Regatta's 5km Fun Run was none other than......Whitestrand's very own ..... BEN WIMPORY! Well done to Ben who finished the run in a ridiculous 20 something minutes. Anna followed with Daisy the choc lab in 35 mins (we were the third dog to cross the line though!!!)

Staff fishing trip

Class of 2010

Ben, Cam, Megan, Mike, Max, The Boss, Charlie and Molly

Class of 2010 all went mackerel fishing with mixed success (!) - Max, Megan and Mike all had a lesson driving Calypso and everyone caught fish except....Max unfortunately. Even Megan caught her first ever fish, although she refused to touch them!Molly caught one mackerel eventually hoorah, and Chris quietly caught the most, about 8 of them, so at least we had something to eat on the BBQ that evening.

Great big Sharks caught off Calypso!!!!

The fisherman onboard Calypso got a suprise whist out fishing on Saturday. Amongst their catch of plenty of mackerel and Pollock, they managed to net two Spurdog's. Spurdog's are a species of shark and are usually found in warmer waters (above 10c.) This must be a sure sign that our waters are getting warmer!? These type of dog-fish are commonly found in all areas of the Mediterranean. Mackerel are a popular food source for Spurdog's, so it is no suprise why they were swimming around Calypso!!

In the photos you can see Reggie the skipper (in red!) proudly showing off his catch along with another happy customer, who had expected to just catch Mackerel!

All the Surdog's were put back into the sea so that more people can have the excitement of catching and seeing them.

Merlin Rockets arriving

Tomorrow is the start of Salcombe's infamous Merlin Rocket week - things get a little more lively here on the water as all the boats race throughout the week. Five of our regular customers sail their boats in this regatta, and we try to follow who is winning out of the Whitestrand Boat Hire crews.......Wicked, Slippery when wet, General Lee, Blalck Pearl and3488. So if you see them sailing out and about give them a wave from us!!!

Lets hope they have some good conditions this week and enjoy the week's sailing.

Dolphins!

This weekend some people were lucky enough to see dolphins at South Sands. There were approx 6 bottlenose, all being quite acrobatic and doing lots of aerial displays and jumps. These cracking photos were taken by Vicky and Alex on Saturday afternoon.

Unfortunately some motor boats were getting too close trying to get close for the sake of a photograph - all cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises and whales) are protected by law and boats should not get closer than 100m unless approached by the dolphins themselves. Dolphins can get intrigued by moving propellors and get seriously damaged. Best thing to do is to get in the vicinity (driving the boat in a straight line at a constant and slow speed) and then just turn off your engine and watch as they swim.....who knows they might come closer and you'll be in for a real treat!

This small pod of dolphins then headed out over the Bar, and East along the coast past East Prawle towards Start Point.

The water has been extremely warm recently and we also spotted a lot of Compass Jellyfish in the estuary, up South Pool creek and in the shallows.

NEW ferry to Kingsbridge and gorgeous sunshine

The sun has been shining for days here in Salcombe - it was already 18 degrees by about 7.30am this morning! And the water has been flat calm too, perfect for boating. Long may it continue (even though when Wimbledon starts the weather normally changes!)

Whitestrand is also proud to now be the booking office for the new version of the Kingsbridge-Salcombe ferry service. The Salcombe River Boat Company runs from Whitestrand pontoon to Kingsbridge quay most days but times depend on the tide.

Ticket prices start at £6 for adult (single) and £4.50 for child (single). Please see the website for more details www.salcomberiverboats.co.uk

You can book tickets in our shop, so why not sit back and enjoy the scenery with someone else at the helm.