Otter Prize Giving 2014 15 Nov 2014

The Otter End of Season Prize giving on Saturday was a sell-out – a waiting list too, (first time in ten years) as 120 Otters and their parents squeezed into the dining room to celebrate what has been a great season both on and off the water.

The Otter Commodore, Ella Waples, began with the customary Commodore’s speech and then awarded the prizes. The Pond Oppies collected their medals for the milestones they’ve achieved in their first season sailing, the river Oppie Trophies were won by a cross section of Charlie Bacon, Ben Hutton-Penman and Flo Brellisford, and Scarlett Anderson, although pushed hard by Jo and Ben Barr this season, still managed to walk away with the majority! The Lasers and Toppers had an even split across the fleet, always good to see.

The prize giving continued with awards to Flo Brellisford (Best competitive performance outside the Club) by winning the Regatta Fleet at the Optimist Nationals and Kathryn Hutton – Penman, crewed by Matt Jayasekara, (Best competitive performance outside the Club)
winning the Regatta Fleet at the Feva Nationals as well as the Avalanche Trophy. (Best performance outside the club)

The final award (The Black Otter Pin) went to Ella Waples and Sam Barr.

The Otter President, Judy Waples, (President for the last 32 years!) and their Vice-President, Rachel Threfull, were there to celebrate the full and varied season when so much has been achieved. Judy closed the evening, having announced the New Flag Officers for 2015.

So that brings the formal Otter sailing to an end for 2014. There is of course the dinghy racing that’s continuing until mid-December and various Otters decamp to winter squad groups to sharpen their skills before the new season commences for the Otters in late March.

Looking forward to 2015…