East Coast Old Gaffers' Race

From the collection of

East Anglian Film Archive at the University of East Anglia
The East Anglian Film Archive, the UK's first regional film archive, offers a unique record of the East of England's social and cultural history. As part of the University of East Anglia, we continue to lead moving image heritage research and inspire audience participation through community projects and events. Our collections represent a broad range of amateur and professional creativity, from 1896 to the present day.

East Coast Old Gaffers' Race


Along the south shore of the Blackwater Estuary is a quiet place, Ramsey Island, though it is not an island at all, and most sailing people know it as Stone. Stone Point is the start and finishing place for the Old Gaffers Race. In 1987, David Cleveland made a film about the annual event and the boats taking part. Any craft with a gaff rig is eligible for the Old Gaffers’ race, though many of the craft taking part are smacks – lovingly restored fishing boats peculiar to the East coast.


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