Notts County Sailing Club member wins Midlands photography competition celebrating time on the water after covid-19

A member of a sailing club has won a Midlands photography competition celebrating time on the water following the challenges of the pandemic.

Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Midlands revealed the winning of its latest monthly competition was David Eberlin, of Notts County Sailing Club, with his picture of two youth sailors having fun.

The competition invited members of clubs and centres in the Midlands to share their pictures of people enjoying getting afloat either within the region or further afield while ‘on tour’ for racing or cruising.

David’s winning photograph caught the eye of judges from the RYA Midlands regional volunteer team, who described it as a fantastic action on the water shot

“The subjects are in focus and the background blurred, wonderful composition," they said.

"The two young women are having fun racing and from a technical standpoint are sailing the boat perfectly flat.”

A committee member and training principal at Notts County SC, David will now be starting the new season in style with his prize of a Helly Hansen Scout Duffel kit bag.

As a keen amateur photographer, David took the photograph in April 2021, when the club returned to play following the easing of covid pandemic restrictions, using a Canon R5 camera with an RF 600mm f11 lens.

He said: “It was just after lockdown was lifted and racing could restart.

"Ellie Rush is helming with Martha Christensen crewing and obviously they are enjoying the ride.

"It was a cool windy day but sunny and exhilarating. I actually took the photo from the bank with a 600mm lens.

"I often go in a boat as it is normally more interesting, you can get closer, but as it happened this day the sun was in the right position and the boats were sailing directly towards us on the shore.”