Why change an event which works so well could be the motto of the Rocquaine Regatta committee. Joel de Woolfson reports on this year’s. Pictures by Alex Digard THE Rocquaine Regatta stuck to tradition on Saturday and gave thousands of people a family-friendly day out.

The annual event served up its usual helping of action-packed beach activities and competitions.

All entertainment was free and competitors could enter on the spot.

Committee president Richard Strappini said the idea was to provide entertainment that everyone could enjoy.

‘We don’t aim to have new events every year because we don’t have the resources,’ he said.

‘The events we put on are the old favourites.’

Competitions included swimming and rowing races, as well as cycling and motorboat races. These were well complemented by the classic hurling the welly and throwing the rolling pin, which were as popular as ever.

Mr Strappini said he was delighted with the atmosphere.

‘This is exactly what we wanted the day to be like,’ he said.

‘It’s been absolutely fantastic and I’m delighted with how it’s worked out and the number of people. People have been here all day and everyone seems to have really enjoyed it.’

The day started at 9.30am with events on the water and finished at 9pm with a beach barbecue and live music.

‘People come back year in, year out because we have events for all age groups. People keep coming back because they like the variety.’

He said he was happy the sun was out after the poor weather for last year’s regatta.

‘After the weather we have had this year, I think people were ready for a party.’

He added that his only regret was that being so heavily involved in the organisation left him with very little time to enjoy all the activities.

‘I have been involved in the five-a-side football and rowing competitions for 30 years, but I sometimes wish I had more time to watch some of the other events.’

Five-a-side football was so popular that organisers had to extend it to allow more teams to enter.

There were 16 teams involved and assistant Bob Strappini said it had been a huge success.

‘It was a good turnout,’ he said.

‘It’s lovely and sunny and beach football is always popular. A lot of people put together teams on the spur of the moment when they saw us setting up the pitch and that is what the regatta is all about. People just turning up and having a go.’

Aaron Walden, 17, said he thought his team was in with a good chance of winning.

‘It’s great to come down to the beach and have a laugh,’ he said.

‘I think the organisers have done a really good job. I didn’t expect there to be a proper pitch marked out.’

The greasy pole lost its slipperiness this year, but it didn’t make it any easier for competitors to stay on.

‘This is the first time we have tried it with a dry pole but it seemed to work just as well,’ said organiser Shane Langlois.

Lots of youngsters stepped forward for the challenge to see who could remain on the pole for the longest while trying to push their opponent off.

Louis Whyte won the under-12 competition and said technique and speed was the key.

‘I was bigger than all the other competitors, which helped, but all the others were pushing forward but I was pushing them to the side,’ said the 11-year-old.

‘It was really good fun and I hope I can come back next year to defend my title.

The judges of this year’s sandcastle competition were overwhelmed by the number of entrants.

‘We couldn’t believe how many children took part,’ said Jane Le Conte.

‘It’s been fantastic and there was lots of originality and flair.’

Niamh Gill won the under-seven competition for her inventive castle that was surrounded by seaweed and covered in shells.

‘It was really good fun,’ said the five-year-old. ‘I worked hard on it. One of the shells looks like a swimming pool and the seaweed looks like water. There was another shell that looked like a shark’s fin.

‘I was really happy when I won.’

A team of five worked on a mermaid sandcastle with a difference. The lower body was made from sand and the upper body was Kirsty Renouf, who had been buried as part of the project.

‘My younger sister didn’t want to be buried and I was the next smallest,’ she said.

‘It was really good fun.’

Starlets of the future took to the stage to wow the large audience during the talent contest.

Dance dominated the junior category with some fantastic performances.

Six-year-old Caius Duncombe impressed with his display of breakdancing that he said he had learnt from his sister.

India Philips performed a modern dance routine that she first showcased at this year’s Eisteddfod.

‘My mum asked me if I wanted to do it and my sister helped me decide what to do,’ said the 10-year-old.

‘My favourite dancing is ballet, but I decided to do modern because it’s more fun and upbeat.’

Little Luella and Morgan Taylor also impressed with their rendition of Wouldn’t It Be Lovely?, from the musical, My Fair Lady.

‘I want to be in a West End play when I’m older,’ said seven-year-old Luella.

She is an experienced performer in the talent contest – this was her fifth year – while sister Morgan, 4, was enjoying her second performance.