The Salcott Bell Dash: A Celebration of Old & New Sailing Traditions

Published 12:39 on 14 Oct 2026

The club introduced an exciting new event to its sailing calendar this year with the inaugural Salcott Bell Dash, kindly sponsored by Native Promotions of 110 Coast Road. Bringing together modern dinghies and traditional sailing craft, the event celebrated the rich maritime heritage of the Mersea area while delivering a challenging and enjoyable day of racing.
For those unfamiliar with the terms, Brigs and Bumkins are traditional-style, gaff-rigged working boats, reminiscent of the craft sailed and raced during the early years of Dabchicks Sailing Club. The event brought old and new together in a race covering approximately two and a half miles to the head of Salcott Creek, where, according to local legend, the Salcott Bell was lost sometime in the 1600s. The full story, however, is one for another day!
Held on Sunday 11 October, the race took place in bright, sunny but decidedly changeable conditions. A fickle north-westerly breeze repeatedly faded and returned, shifting by some 10–15 degrees and keeping competitors on their toes. Combined with a 5.4 metre tide, the conditions demanded careful judgement, tactical sailing and plenty of concentration.
To ensure fair and competitive racing, the fleet was divided into several classes: Brigs, medium and slower dinghies, Bumkins and faster dinghies.
The course started from the Dabchicks line before taking competitors through Besom round Bobby’s mark to the Nass. From there, the fleet faced a beat up Salcott Creek to its head, negotiating the sunken islands and marshes before retracing its route down the creek. After rounding Phil’s mark, boats turned into Thornfleet for the final leg to the finish.
The combination of shifting winds, tidal influence and the challenges of navigating the upper reaches of Salcott Creek made for a memorable contest, testing both the traditional craft and their modern counterparts.
Following the racing, competitors gathered back at Dabchicks Sailing Club for the prize-giving, accompanied by food, drinks and the opportunity to share stories from the day.
Congratulations go to the three winners who took home the coveted Salcott Bell trophies in their respective classes:
•    Brigs: Team Blackmore, sailing Froggie
•    Bumkins: Team Bowman, sailing Mystery
•    Dinghies: Will Sargeant, sailing his ILCA 6
The success of the inaugural Salcott Bell Dash reflects Dabchicks Sailing Club’s commitment to bringing together different generations of sailing and celebrating the distinctive boating traditions of the local area. With thanks to Native Promotions for its sponsorship, the event has made a promising start and looks set to become a welcome addition to the club’s racing calendar!

Last updated 12:39 on 14 October 2026