Author: jollysailor

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.

May Pink, May Pirates and Open Day View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 24 files.

Gillette Series   The Wed evenings racing has got off to a great start with up to 25 boats racing thus far, including some youngsters on the water – well done Robert and Colm – followed by a super meal cooked and served by Gees in the club house. OOD cover is now provided and the new teams are ‘working’ well, with a full team every Wednesday. We had the added attraction of a low flying balloon the other week (see last week’s blog for a stunning picture). The racing is very competitive, with a rash of Lasers this week in strong winds – Simon late arriving  and then being over the line at the start  – shame Simon..!! There was  only one capsize to entertain those not brave enough to venture on to the water – nice one Mark! A squall came through so every one came into supper looking rather damp – like the new look hair Paula – but ready to demolish a large pan of spaghetti, salad , bread, followed by sponge pudding and cream – a nice mid week distraction from work….   Pirates   The young people just keep coming – last week in the warm evening sunshine proved particularly popular. But this week saw a smaller crowd, with pouring rain and very strong winds. Sadly only those with their own boats were allowed on the water – too windy for hired club boats to go out. Craig managed to break Jam, but in true Pirate “make do and mend” style, fixed the problem with some handy rope before heading out to enjoy the wind. Those that braved the cold, wet conditions had a ‘ball’. They were ably supported by Gary, David and Don in the safety boats. While in the warmth of the club house, Elaine, Jerry and Monica enjoyed a rather noisy supper!! Everyone was ready for hot chocolate and a twix, served by Carole, especially Luke who had forgotten to bring a change of clothes!! Lets hope the weather is kinder to the Pirates next week….watch this space.

Gillette 3 and Pirates View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 21 files.

Pursuit 8    Adrian and his team gave the 25 keen sailors an interesting course, starting form the shore and covering most of the lake. Mick went off first in his Mirror, followed by Hugh in his byte, then a couple of solo’s, Monica in her Europe, Peter in his Ent and then the large Laser posse – last but not least came Steve and Lynne in the 505. Everyone seemed to be having a good sail with Mick holding onto the lead for several laps before everyone started pouring through him, the Ent, the Byte, solos, Europe and some of the Lasers. Peter, once in the lead, won the race followed by Richard 2nd and Chris 3rd.   May Day Pennant.   What a different race this was – the lake looked like glass in glorious sunshine, posing a problem for Ken and his 2 helpers – good thing there was no wind as the 2 ‘no show’ OODs might have proved a problem – running races with only 3 OODs in strong winds is unsafe – naughty no shows…..lost some ‘brownie points’ there…. Ken set a good course, at the 3rd attempt as the wind kept coming and going from every direction, from Tektona, where the team could see all the marks – very safe for the 14 starters. It was a real ‘pot luck’ race with little pockets of wind coming from every direction, changing positions constantly. Though Ian managed to pull away and won the race, while Monica had managed to keep up with several of the Lasers and was heard to say she thought she might have won on handicap….sadly, a few silent tears were shed, she only came 2nd…. While most had shorts on, Mark had opted for his dry suit….was he expecting a storm to blow up or just wanted to sweat off a few pounds  during the hour long race?!! Once over the finish line, he was seen to slip quietly into the water to cool off….a little over heated me thinks!! Finishing positions 1st Ian, 2nd Monica and 3rd Mark.     The weather stayed glorious all day with loads of families and boats having fun on and off the water – the wind did fill in a bit for the afternoon – as per usual!!

Sunday and May bank holiday View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 18 files.

Despite the prospect of rain and strong winds some 48 members turned up promptly to tackle the huge list of jobs to be done – earning their ‘brownie points’…!!!……the pyromaniacs, namely Gary, who thought the heat from the fire was improving his suntan…… had a ‘ball’ burning all the detritus from the very old shed – while others opted for hoovering the stairs and sorting the loft out.   Windows were cleaned, the oven as well – what a chore….jetty areas filled in, hose reattached to the  jetty edges, cobwebs cleaned from decking, club boats had running repairs done, while the new Toppers are now ready to use. The disabled loo was cleared out ready for a plumber to come in and complete it.   Everyone ‘worked their socks off’ supplied with coffee by Barbara and Monica, while Tracey did ‘her bit ‘ with a trip to Costco for a  huge restock of all the choccy bars and cans we love so much!!   Several people stayed on to join Monica for a celebratory drink with her and her family for her ?? birthday – she’s now officially ‘old!!   But the stars of the day were the little ones, Ewan, Jo, Teddy and Miriam who were great at tidying the toy box, laying up the tables for lunch and scrubbing all the cobwebs off the decking – well done boys and girls. Simon and his family took to the river in their kayaks, while Richard was persuaded  to rig Alice’s Laser so we could be entertained by her great sailing, including a spectacular capsize……   The day ended at 1900 with a massive clean up job in the clubhouse, many thanks to Elaine, Barbara, Clare, Olivia and Maddie, who now knows how to use a hoover!!   Many thanks to everyone who came and worked so hard.

April Work Party View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 8 files.

Was this someone with an over-inflated spinnaker lining up for the start of the Gillette last Wednesday?
 
Or perhaps someone trying to get an early viewing of the club before Saturday’s Open Day?
 
Nonetheless, it didn’t deter the 20 or so boats that set out for the Wednesday evening race, including some new faces.  Mark set an interesting start, which was difficult to judge from both land and water, but no hooters sounded.  The breeze was so light that the leader stole the wind from those behind and got such a head start that no one could get close.  No, Sally, that wasn’t the Leader I meant – not such a good start this week, but you still managed to “beat Dean on the water”.
 
The wind got lighter and lighter the longer the race lasted, and when the last sailor was making his weary way into shore, others were already showered and tucking into a delicious dinner.

3p 2p 5s 9p 6s 7s S
The wind was blowing, the sun was shining, and about 20 boats took to the water.  Newton and his team set an excellent course, with Tektona moving about through 90 degrees as the wind veered first one way and then the other.
The sun went in, but the rain stayed away and the wind improved throughout the 90 minute race.
 
Mike took back the helm of the Leader after Sally’s successful race on Wednesday.  Did she tell you that she was 10th!
 
There was as many different choices of gear as there were classes of boat in the race.  Curtis went for an optimistic shorts, whilst others were in dry suits and there was even a balaclava spotted at the start.
 
The mirror set off first, and stayed in front for at least one circuit before the rest of the pack overtook. The 505 set off last – with only Steve aboard this week – was it too chilly for his crew I wonder?  He could have done with her on lookout as he caused the Enterprise to perform an elegant pirouette to avoid him.
 
The positions changed throughout the race and, as with all pursuit races, the final positions were hard determine for the onlookers as boats started early, late, caught up and lapped.  I’m sure Newton will have it all sorted out and posted on the results page soon enough.
 
send photos and comments to rscJollySailor@gmail.com