PELICAN WEEK brought an end to a month of training for cadets at North Devon Yacht Club.

Fifty-five sailors, aged 10 to 21, competed hard for trophies in conditions ranging from clear sky to torrential rain and dead calm to hair-raising gusts of up to force 6.

Many boats were overturned but with capsize drill a favourite part of training, the cadets were well prepared.

Some cadets were single-handed in Lasers, some doubled up to sail Picos and others competed in threes in a handicap fleet including Wayfarer, Bahia and Sport 14.

David Graham, the club's commodore, said "I am delighted with the standard of training and the enthusiasm of the cadet members.

"We have taught more than 100 this year and are already planning next summer's training schedule."

Prizes were awarded by Captain Jimmy Johnson of the Royal Navy and a past commodore of the club. He explained that Pelican Week is so called because cadets in the 1930s were taught on a boat called the Pelican.

To find out more club membership call 01271 860367 or visit www.ndyc.org