Exe Power Boat & Ski Club celebrated its 50th birthday with two boating events over the Christmas period, when members participated in the club’s annual Boxing Day and New Year’s Day powerboat rallies along Exmouth Seafront.
Ideal conditions on Boxing Day morning saw a dozen of the club’s classic single-seat craft on the water, and an equally calm New Year’s Day attracted 15 of the club’s larger racing craft.
Mamhead Slipway, the centre of operations, attracted numbers of spectators sensibly Covid-distanced, with boat crews and shore crews also adhering to Covid rules.
“Both events were organised under Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sports Covid rules, and only those members from Devon and Cornwall were allowed to participate, with the individual crews belonging to their own family “bubble”, said club secretary Iain Grant.
“The Club has held these events since 1970, when the club was first formed, and being able to run these events over this Christmas period was a means of celebrating the club’s 50th birthday, given that we were unable to hold a 50th birthday party due to the 2020 Covid restrictions.
“The club has many national and international powerboat racing champions amongst its membership and the Christmas period rallies enable boats to be tested during the winter as part of preparation for the following season’s racing.
“The River Exe has a 10-knot speed restriction, but special byelaw exemption is given by Exeter Port Authority each year to enable the events to take place and we are grateful for this concession.
“Not only is it valuable to us, these events have come to be enjoyed annually by residents and visitors alike and are part of the Exmouth calendar, along with the Christmas Day Swim and Boxing Day Fun Run.”
Situated at the entrance of Exmouth Marina, this family-orientated club is RYA affilliated. The membership is active in offshore (OCRDA and UKOPRA) and inshore (Club) powerboating and other clubs such as SBI and APA, water ski racing, classic skiing, wakeboard and slalom.
There are zoned water skiing and powerboating areas within the sheltered River Exe, where the club has a moored pontoon.
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