Author: jollysailor

June Pink Day and Pirates

Yet another day dawned with very strong winds, but with sunshine promised for later in the day. Would any intrepid Pinkies take to the water? Fortified with a scrummy breakfast cooked and served by Paul and Barbara, 9 well reefed boats took to the water – even Mark and Steve went for a smaller sails, but not Alice of course she went out with a full radial rig! The course Ken set was short and within sight of the clubhouse to make sure the wimps among us would be entertained!! There were lots of thrills and spills and plenty of work for our wonderful power boat crews – thank you Jan, Paul, Ken and David, with Brian ‘standing by’ on shore in case a third boat was needed…..everyone who dared take to the water, had a great sail, some very short…others very wet….but the cup went to Katie in her colourful radial Laser…she hadn’t sailed since last October….well done Katie!! ….with Alice a close 2nd…she just sailed her socks off and loved every minute, having had a dry capsize within minutes of leaving the shore…what a star! Special thanks to all those who lent a hand with starting, finishing the race and helping everyone get safely ashore again.
After a lunch break, some drying off and warming up, helped by lots of hot chocolate…….the dinghy park was busy again with the Pirates preparing for some fun. Gary and Carole had had a better ‘offer’ for the afternoon – hope the polo match was good!?? – so Monica took over, the way she does, and organised the youngsters into well reefed Toppers and Picos, assisted by Ken and all the Mums and Dads. Instructions were very strict, we had to sail in the area in front of the clubhouse and had to come off the water if the whistle went. Daddy Steve took out young Teddy and even younger Tane. There were even more thrills and spills, with an Opi being towed out of the trees……several shivering youngsters brought in for hot showers and more hot chocolate. Kate in Richards kayak, keeping an eye on her little one…..But the 10 boats were off the water by 1600 hrs and the exhausted power boat crews could take a much earned break – special thanks to Ken, Simon, Brian, David,Paul and Jan who stayed the whole day so that Pirates could happen!! Another exciting day at the club…and yes the sun came out and we all warmed up!!
June Pink Day and Pirates

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 10 files.
 

Spring 11 – Racing Report

13 boats were being rigged, it was going to be a perfect wind for Peter in his Enterprise. The S.O.O.D. set a interesting course which was Xp, 5s, 6p, 4p, this was basically going up the lake and back down again. The Jolly Sailor was going to expect a lot of shouting, and it turned out to be correct !

So Peter was first off in his Enterprise , followed by the Laser mob! I don’t think David set his alarm clock because the lasers were nearly at the first mark before David reached the start line! We shan’t even talk about Roger and his time keeping!!!!!!! So finally 15 boats started.

There was a bit of confusion with the first mark. Two buoys were marked X, which one is the corrected one. The wind kept on switching, which made it interesting.
 
 The final results were 1st – Peter, 2nd – Chris, 3rd – Karen

Spring 10 – Racing Report

The Officers of the Day were going to find it very hard to set a course which will test the sailors to the limit. Thirty boats took to the water which seemed destined to be more of a lottery than a sailing race. Force 2 gusting force 3.

Francesca started off in her Opi, she made a good start was followed by Ryan in his new Topper. It was good to see our younger members having a go, soon they will be teaching us adults a thing or two!

The two Europes battled against each other swapping positions like the the countries in the Eurovision Song Contest the night before. Unfortunately Paul got a little too close the island and lost out and was swallowed up by the laser mob!

The only person who seemed to be sailing through the fleet with his own personal wind was Ian in his super Supanora!!!!!!!!
 
 The final positions are 1st Ian, 2nd  David, 3rd Rowland
Spring 10 – Racing Report

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 4 files.
 

May Training Part 2

The strength of the wind made the second May training day a challenge.  One senior trainer was heard to remark that it was the worst training day we’ve ever had.
 
That said, the trainees persevered and there were plenty of certificates to hand out at the end of the day.
 
Well done to all newly trained sailors – we’ll see you at Pink Days and Pirates!
May Training Part 2

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 4 files.
 

Work Party on Saturday

Saturday Work Party

 

 

The nettles have enjoyed the rain and sunshine of late, so it’s our turn to strike back – gadening kit and long pants reccomended.

 

Plus all the usual maintenance jobs .

 

 

It’s Sonning Regata Day so road maintenance will have to be deferred til next month.

 

 

See you there 9.30 onwards

Spring 9 – Racing Report

Sorry for the late posting of the race report, but the Jolly Sailor has been enjoying the sunny weather this week.  Last weekend seems so long ago, so here is what I remember…
 

It was a cold spring morning, 10 degrees centigrade! What has happened to our summer?
 
19 boats were being rigged. Adrian the S. O.O.D. Set a very interesting course.
 
The first mark was a short sprint from the start line. Ryan in his Oppie managed to do a lap before the Lasers started, so when they had started it was absolute mayhem at the first mark. It was a miracle no one got hurt, but the skill from some of the sailors prevented that from happening. Karen led the Laser fleet for most of the race. Snapping at the heels of Monica and Paul in their Europes. Karen began to tire and was caught up by Chris and Roland.
The final results were. 1st. Paul. 2nd Chris. 3rd. Rowland.
Spring 9 – Racing Report

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 6 files.
 

May Training

The second training session was fantastic with everyone of the 16 trainees getting on the water for a quick taster sail by 1000! After the safety briefing and few frantic phone calls to get enough Toppers for our 6 youngsters…..!!! we were all on the water in fairly light winds and learning the basics of sailing. The stars of the day were definitely the juniors, thanks to their Pirates’ experiences….and Carole and Gary were also on the water to see them ‘in action’ – the youngsters were sailing a triangular course, jibing and tacking …..all before the lunch break!
 
We had a wonderful support team, Pat, Sally, Rachel, Dave, Lynne, Steve and Mo, who popped in and out or stayed all day, making us drinks at lunch time, clearing up our mess, helping us getting in and out of the boats and putting them away at the end….they were fantastic ……thank you all so much.
 
Everyone had a great time despite the lack of wind during the early afternoon and went home exhausted, thrilled with being able to sail and clutching their Start Sailing books – the bedtime reading for the next week!!!
 
Thank you to all the instructors, Dave and Mark in the Sport 14’s, Newton with his ‘gaggle’ of Pico’s and Monica with her ‘brood’ of Toppers………and Alice who was great to follow in her Laser…….
Special thanks to Steve for getting us on the water so quickly and overseeing the smooth running of our day. See you all next week for our second day.
May Training

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 6 files.
 

Workshop Permits

Workshop permits are now available for any member wishing to repair their own craft in the red shed. 

 

The shed also has to provide rescue boat and  training/hire equipment storage and this needs to be safely accessed by members. This means there is space for one  boat only, so please use the whiteboard in the shed to add your boat to the waiting list.

 

The pay and display permits cost £12 and are avilable from the boat hire box in the club house. Simply fill in a receipt and fix permit to your boat. Please note that any members boats left in the red shed without a valid permit may be removed.

 

Spring 8 – Racing Report

What was the shining thing in the sky? Yes the sun was shining! The wind picked up to a nice force 3. Ian was the S.O.O.D. The start was from the shore to the outer distance marker and had a heavy port bias. Who was going to risk it? Hugh was the first boat to start. He was determined to stretch his lead as much as possible. The S.O.O.D. was relieved when the lasers were under way. Mark started from the port end and had a good start in his new boat. Monica was the first casualty in her Europe. Her tiller extension connection was starting to break up. She thought she had better retire before disaster!

One hour into the race and the sailors were starting to feel tired. Mistakes were starting to occur. First one for an early bath was Peter in his new laser!  Buoy number 4 wasn’t going to take any prisoners, Peter in his Enterprise was starting to struggle. He got a strong gust and it hit his boat just at the wrong moment and he was sent into the water together with Curtis!

Four boats were fighting for third place, at one point they were hitting each other like battling tops! Richard came off the loser!  
 
 
Final positions were. 1st. Chris. 2nd. Mark. 3rd. Dave.
Spring 8 – Racing Report

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 8 files.
 
1 … 101 102 103 104 105 … 107