The sailing cobles will again be hosted at Bridlington this coming weekend 4th and 5th August with racing starting around 9am each day. The festival appears to be going from strength to strength, with interest and more boats this year than before and with a good number racing out of the harbour. The event is run under the auspices of the Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society and brings a living memory back to the port where once these pretty and purposeful fishing boats were built and worked in large numbers. Bridlington is at the heart of the coble coast (where some pronounce it cobble and some coaball) and many coastal fishing villages had small fleets of cobles which were launched from the beach often in rough weather.

The coble grew a hardy and seaworthy reputation during the 18th and 19th centuries but the advent of the diesel engine reduced the need for its interesting flared form which had developed to suit the shallow coastline. A few are still being built and occasionally one is found and restored and even has a rig put on it. So if you are in the area you can be sure that a great time will be being had down on the quays where the festival is being held. See our events page for a map!

Here’s a programme…

Programme of Event (All times are approximate and subject to weather conditions)

Saturday

09.30 to 11.30/12.00 Parade of Sail from moorings into Bridlington Bay and sail back

10.00 to 15.00 hrs Jim Eldon (The Brid Fiddler) will play seas songs and music near to the Harbour Museum.

From 12.00 The cobles will sail back into  the Bay for a couple of hours.

15.30 Event finishes for the day.

Sunday

10.00 to 12.00 Parade of Sail from moorings into Bridlington Bay and sail back.

10.00 to 15.00 hrs Jim Eldon (The Brid Fiddler) will play seas songs and music near to the Harbour Museum.

12.30 Presentation of Commemorative Plaques by Bridlington Harbour Commissioners

13.00 to 15.40 The cobles will sail back into  the Bay for a couple of hours.

16.00  Event Closes