CLACTON Sailing Club were forced to postpone their racing on Sunday.

Members faced howling winds, choppy seas, heavy rain and even hail at times so had to call off their scheduled series of races.

Instead, they replaced it with a fun race for all, with the winner receiving the SOS Cup, first awarded to the club in 1959.

A simple course was set and the club rescue boat on hand.

The band of keen sailors then made full use of the club Topper and Topaz fleet.

Keeping the boats upright became the order of the day, even on the beach, and sailing the small craft proved a real challenge, even for the very experienced members.

All participants had huge smiles on their faces when they returned to shore after enduring the morning’s fun and games.

As the formal course had been abandoned, it was decided to award the SOS Cup to Sam Ranson and Daniel Brzezinski.

This was for their ability to stay upright for the whole duration.

The club topper and Topaz fleet survived without a scratch and will be fully put to use in the forthcoming cadet week, starting on August 17.

Full details can be found on www.clactonsailingclub.org.uk