2002 Western Areas at Chew Valley Lake SC 31st August & 1st September
There was an excellent turnout of 59 Mirrors for the Western Area Championship held at Chew Valley Lake SC over the weekend 31st August & 1st September. Conditions were warm and sunny with a generally light, patchy and shifty breeze marking the blue water of the lake surface. The lush greens of the unspoilt Mendip hills formed a breathtaking backdrop to complete a picture postcard scene.
Being both a National Squad and South West Zone Squad qualifier as well as a Tasmania 2003 Worlds travel grants qualifier, the event attracted boats from as far away as Sunderland, Windermere, Penzance and Brightlingsea. The team at Chew Valley really know how to put on a good event and the race management was superb and ashore the boat parking and launching was easy and the clubhouse provided great spectating and good lunches and Saturday evening meal for both competitors and supporters. Although there was no camping on site, the local fruit farm was ideal, with a lovely secluded field with the tents and campervans all around the edge and the kids playing football in the middle and only £2 per pitch per night.