May Pink, May Pirates and Open Day
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Open Day.
It was an early start for some with Mark setting up the signs at the roundabout and the signs along the road, inviting people to come and check us out and hopefully join us. A few people dropped in during the course of the day, including a reporter from the Reading Post – thanks for that Anne – with a huge camera. The commodore was duly on hand to show him around and explain that the mayhem on the water was in fact a race in progress!! Sales of the Reading Post are set to soar over the next week or so…??
Members came and went, lending helping hands, here and there – keeping the dishwasher loaded etc – thanks, Sally, Anne, Barbara and many others.
Pink Day
Despite the strong winds 14 boats took to the water, fortified by Chef Paul’s superb breakfast. Mark was standing in for Ken, while Monica replaced Barbara in the galley. We had the usual briefing in the club house and got going promptly at 1100 – a simple course but a nasty gybe mark at no. 6!!!
Monica and Richard took to one safety boat with Simon and Mark in the other. Brian opted for crewing Tracey in her Leader, while half way through the race Paul arrived towing a rib with an ENORMOUS engine!! – a definite sparkle appeared in Richards’ eyes, and Brian completely lost interest in the Leader’s Jib!!
The standard of sailing was very high, and although there were plenty of capsizes, few people needed assistance – except poor Izzy who managed to get her mast stuck in the mud and needing a little help to stay dry and get going again. This gave Monica plenty of opportunity to get some marvellous pictures from the rescue boat. Meanwhile the Leader needed to be pulled out of the reeds….was Tracey leading Brian ‘astray’ we wonder..!!
David, Ian and Mike managed some spectacular capsizing around the gybe mark – entertainment for those on the deck. Amy and her friend Vanessa giggled their way around the course, obviously having a lot of fun.
But the outstanding winner was Alice again with some superb sailing with plenty of capsizes, all dry of course. Well done Alice….another month of keeping the Pink Fleet cup polished!
Pirates Afternoon.
Plenty of youngsters arrived to swell the soggy masses of people in the club house having lunch. Numbers were also increased by a group of youngsters brought along by Chris and Carole for a taste of sailing.
Carole and Gary, our fantastic Pirate leaders, went out in their Rabbit, aka, Wanderer, for a final sail – they take delivery of a new boat very soon.
Due to the strong winds, by now gusting 40 mph, no club boats were allowed on the water, much to the disappointment of some keen youngsters. Only those willing to risk damage to their own boats took to the water plus a couple of old Topper hulls , with paddles instead of sails.
Haidy was having fun in her well reefed Pico, until a hook broke…what a shame. Colm and his mate Ben had fun in their Topper, while Alice, Robert and Craig were just sailing back and forwards at great speed, hanging on for dear life, for all to see – amazing spectator sport – their energy seemed endless……
Kea went out for a ‘spin’ with Robert in the Comet, but got a swim as well, but he was heard to say it was ‘great.’ Even little Tane had a sail with Robert and was also thrilled and very wet!!
Hot chocolate was awaiting everyone, and they all pitched in with the clearing up – Chris and Carole did sterling work in the changing rooms, while seeing Gary mopping the club house floor is …well…quite something….
Well done and many thanks to all the boys and girls Mums, Dads and Grannies for making all day such fun.
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