During the prize giving at the end of the very successful National Redwing Championships (http://www.scillyredwings.co.uk/) in the Isles of Scilly on Friday 25th August 2016, Mr Adrian Symons of Penzance, was presented with a special trophy. This was for his long standing and continued valued contribution and excellence in all matters to do with sailing for well over 70 years.
Informally Adrian has always lent a hand and encouragement and still runs numerous races throughout the season at Penzance Sailing Club where he is a highly respected member with invaluable experience. This experience ranges in the past to more formal support such as Race Officer for national championships in Mounts Bay and Penzance Sailing Clubs through to serving on the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). In the latter for 12 years in the 1970’s and 1980’s, he was SW Regional Secretary and covered about 150 sailing clubs from the Isles of Scilly through to Frampton on Severn in the North of the region to Swanage (now in Sothern Region) in the south.
Adrian excelled in dinghy racing over many years. In 1951, crewing National Redwing 27 ‘Comet’, winning the National Championships in Plymouth, through to helming British Moths and International Fireballs where he won scores of trophies and open meetings. In the Fireball it is worthy to note that in the 1960’s and early 70’s he was one of the top ten helms several years running with best results of 3rd and 6th overall in the National and World Championships respectively.
National Redwing 27 “Comet” built in 1947 by H. Pearn of Looe is surprisingly still apparently local to Penzance. Despite needing major restoration, Adrian is still so keen on the fleet that he would love to have the chance to organise this work.
The Trophy, a beautiful model of Redwing 27 ‘Comet’ was donated by lifelong friends John Banks, David and Keith Buchanan, who Adrian originally met and inspired to race, at Bristol Avon Sailing Club in the early 60’s.
