Author: jollysailor
Midsummer social
Thanks to all 65 people who attended the social event on Saturday evening. Music was provided by Colin Heaven and his Jazz Band who have played several times at the club. However, they had two extras on Saturday. Dean Jones was on bass guitar, Thank you Dean for a wonderful performance and Mike Newlove on Saxophone his debut performance Well done Mike.
Preparations started just after noon. The gazebo was a little tricky to erect as you can guess the wind came up (typically no wind when you are arranging a sailing event, but too much when you are doing a social). There was music all afternoon along with the musicians warming up. The sun was shining and there was no rain. It was nearly perfect. We had our own Glastonbury. The temperature could have been a few more degrees as it was a little chilly during the evening but being mostly sailors, everyone had a fleece at the ready and the others had blankets.(very sensible). The hot coffee/Tea went down well!
Thanks to everyone involved in the preparation, many hands make light work, also thanks to all who helped clear up and taking home the rubbish. Any feedback welcome for future events, send an email to Sally Newlove. sallynewlove@hotmail.com
Check out the rest of the pictures here…
Summer 3 – Racing Report
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Yet another day of strong winds – Steve posted a notice on the board, see picture below – but 10 brave souls up for some exciting sailing, took to the water, with several half rigged boats remaining on shore – some of them thought better of risking a ducking and possible gear breakage. But brave young Ryan in his reefed Topper took to the water only to return after 3 dry capsizes before the start – while his Dad managed to fall out of his boat near the end of the race and spent the rest of the race time ‘having fun!!’
Steve and his team set an interesting course 4p,1p,8p,3p,5s,9p,6s,7s,S, giving sailors a chance to go behind the island, for a bit of respite.
The safety boats were kept busy with Steve and Lynne in their 505 being the first to capsize and get stuck in the mud in full view of the spectators on the deck, and once righted they immediately came ashore – it was suggested by Kris that maybe it would have been better for them to have stayed on shore and have a couple of buckets of water poured over them!!
There were many …”oohs and aahs….did you see that…” from the deck accompanied by chuckles from Eddie, Ken, Oswin and John, sipping their coffees.
Adrian was the only one to go out with a full sail and most had at least one ‘swim.’
Ian led most of the race only to capsize on the last lap letting Chris through, who also capsized at the penultimate gybe mark – in full view of those on the deck enjoying the entertainment. But he managed to finish first, with big Adrian 2nd and Dave P 3rd. they were the only finishes, out of the 10 that started!!! What a day!!
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Tracey has files to share with you on SkyDrive. To view them, click the links below.
              
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Training Day 2 – June 22nd
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Who would have believed that day 2 was as windy as day 1….we thought we would only manage a half day covering the theory ashore and would have to return to complete the sailing skills required for Stage 1 and Level 1.
After an initial short briefing from Steve, apologising for the weather, we all went to get out Picos and Toppers and the ever faithful Wayfarer, planning to get on the water in every ‘lull’ in the wind.
Well it worked! Everyone achieved the necessary skills to achieve Stage I and Level I, despite some (OK, a lot) of capsizes and some amusing incidents – not least Monica walking backwards along the jetty pulling a Topper and issuing instructions to Sylvia at the same time, only to step straight into the water!!!
Adrian had his group successfully sailing a triangular course in the slight shelter of the island, while another group practised their skills in the Wayfarer and, flushed with success, Rod capsized the monster boat in full view of the clubhouse! Quite a mission for Richard and Brian to right it and get it ashore.
The youngsters enjoyed their paddling races and the towing with lots of laughs and smiles, despite Anuska’s Topper capsizing. Sylvia was brilliant in the Pico taking those not to sure they could sail alone, backwards and forwards.
Steve and James in their dry suits did sterling work turning boats around and sending them off again.
Hot chocolate was ready in the clubhouse thanks to our many gophers – thank you guys.
Everyone was delighted to see Tracey and Amy arrive armed with galley stores – chocolate was down to 4 Twix!!
All the books were handed out, thanks give to all the instructors, safety boat drivers, helpers and of course Steve who kept us all in order while helping wherever he could.
A great day despite the weather – well done everyone.
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Tracey has files to share with you on SkyDrive. To view them, click the links below.
              
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Summer 2 – racing report
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What a difference a day makes – a pleasant 9/10 mph and 22 boats eagerly rigging their boats on the lawn, but where were the OOD team..?? Glen and Paul W arrived but who else was supposed to be there? Neville stepped into the breach, co opted a spectator and ran the race. Thanks Nev.
The course, 3s,5s,9p,8p,6s,7s,S was started from the shore with a very long line. Most started at the pin end except Jon Mc, who launched just as the race was about to start and made a perfect port tack start at the port end, crossing the whole fleet – Dave started a little way along the line while everyone else jostled for windward boat position at the other end. Richard got to to 3 first and Jon just seem to disappear?!
Steve managed a capsize at 3, with no Lynne on board, but managed to get up and going again fairly quickly.
Paul in his Europe, got in Chris’ way and had to do a 720, putting him well down the fleet. Everyone struggled with the fickle winds around 3 and 8, while Steve having put some blocks in his Solo mast, found himself ‘down the back’ as well. But once he took the blocks out, away he wait catching up all the time. Ian took the lead, then Dave, hotly persued by Karen.
Finishing positions 1st Dave, 2nd Karen, 3rd Ian.
A big thank you to the OOD’s, but where were the rest of the rostered team?
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Tracey has files to share with you on SkyDrive. To view them, click the links below.
     
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Training photos 15th June
Training Report 15th June
RYA Training Course 15th June, Stage 1 and Level 1.
What a daunting prospect for the trainers and trainees alike – 15mph winds with gusts of 29!!!
After the initial briefings from Steve and Dave, our intrepid trainees were introduced to Picos, Toppers and Dave’s ever faithful Wayfarer. The youngsters took to the water in Picos with Alice and Sylvia helming and went for an exhilarating thrash back and forth, watched over closely by Brian and Richard in the safety boats. Everyone came in soaked, even those who had not capsized, but thrilled with the experience. After the lunch break and watching the video, it was the turn of the trainees to take the helm, with Alice, Sylvia and Grace taking the youngsters out and then letting them have a go at helming – inevitably there were some capsizes, but no tears!!
After another spell of rain and strong winds, the sun came out and everyone had a go at sailing, mostly in the reefed Picos. The adults doing really well and surprising themselves!!
A good, if exhausting, day was had by all and everyone left, happy to be returning for day 2 next Sat, clutching their Start Sailing books – compulsory bedtime reading for the next week.
Many thanks to all the instructors, especially Steve who sailed close to the shore, illustrating how to tack, how to come ashore and how NOT to come ashore…very helpful.
Also thanks to our ‘gophers’ who arrived and left at intervals through out the day, helping in the galley and on the shore.
1st Summer Series
Bob and his team set off for Tektona to set an interesting course, Xs,9s,5p,3s,4s, S, while 21 sailors were busy rigging their boats, under overcast Sky and gusty winds.
It was great to see Young Ryan rigging his Topper and Alice again taking to the water. Unfortunately Ryan, after 3 dry capsizes before the start, decided enough was enough and came in not even starting the race – also Hugh was on shore having found the wind too strong for him as well
But not Alice – she was observed with a wicked smile on her face as she pulled clear of Jon in his solo and a capsized Laser at buoy 9 – good for you Alice – you show the boys!! All’s fair in love, war and sailing. Though Jon was seen sulking in the dinghy park later on, muttering…where did respect for your elders go…..!!!
Dave I also found the slammy fickle gusts too much for him as well.
Those that stayed out enjoyed a good sail with Roland finishing 1st,Chris, 2nd and Jon 3rd,
Pink Day 8th June.
What a wonderful day – sun, gusty winds and lots of Pinkies raring to go! !4 boats with 30+ youngsters and oldies all taking to the water after the usual pink fleet breakfast, thanks to Paul and Barbara. Ken briefed us in the club house showing us the flags and explaining the course, while Barbara M and Barbara S cleared up the breakfast remains.
It was great seeing Richard forsaking a safety boat for his Comet, even if he did have a capsize or 2! There were the brave youngsters in the Oppie, Rhys and Teddy, with their younger sisters out with Dad, James in the Mirror, Gary in his new boat, Dave and Sandra in their Wayfarer, Robert in the Comet, Grace in her Topper and lots more other boats……
Paul and Jan teamed up in one of the safety boat while Ken and Dene were in the other. Their help was much appreciated as in the gusty winds there were plenty of capsizes – Grace went in twice, Monica got well and truly stuck in the mud and had to me rescued, but Alice and Wendy stayed upright in a Laser and full rig Pico, well done girls.!
Everyone came in wet and exhausted after the hour long race and of course the usual disqualifications……Dave for having a compass on board, Sandra for wearing the wrong pink, Alice for going too fast and Monica for littering the lake – she lost her sponge on her 2nd capsize!
But the undoubted winners were Rhys and Teddy in the Oppie – well done boys, fantastic sailing!
Pirates in the afternoon.
Gary held his usual briefing promptly at 1400 by the log – it was great to see so many eager youngsters. Brian and Anne went in 1 safety boat, Carole and Gary in the rubber duck, Tracey in the 3rd boat. They had a short race out in the middle of the lake, with lots of capsizing in the fickle winds – a relay race to the beach and back and another short sail before the exhausted, wet happy band came in for their hot chocolate.
Kate took Affi out in a kayak, while Tane tried out his new Oppie – Craig and Robert on a surf board, retrieving boats floating away from the pontoon – some of us need to do a knot course!!!
The rest of the afternoon saw the BBQ put to good use and lots of youngsters having fun.
Yet another great day at RSC!!
Spring Pursuit 12 – racing report
Another great turn out with 22 boats on the water in the glorious sun and good breeze. Ken found himself with a reduced OOD Team, but fortunately Tony and Iain , fresh back from Llandudno – no not Wales, Cape Town! – stepped into the breach and the race was able to be run.
It was a good course from Tektona, 6s, 8s,5p,9s,4p,2p,1p,S.
Poor Peter capsized before the start in a freak gust and got his mast stuck in the mud, then had to retire with a broken tiller – bad luck Peter.
The 2 Otters went off first, Mick minus Bobby, a bit windy for him and Curits – he had discovered his Otter during the big clear up the previous day and wondered whether it was still sailable….next came Bob and Jon in their Solos, though Monica starting a minute behind them, wondered where they had gone as she got to the first Mark before them…..Jon got becalmed way behind the port bias start line and poor Bob got a bang on the head from his boom and was seeing stars….not the 1st mark…..!!! Then all the Lasers, Adrian in his Viago and last off the 505.
It was a shifty wind with some fetches instead of beats and some great reaches.
Monica held off Dave briefly, Chris took a little longer to get through her but Nick overtook the Europe in the last few seconds of the race!!!
Finishing places 1st Dave, 2nd Chris, 3rd Nick.
The afternoon saw Mike and Sally manning the safety boat, with lots of people coming down for a BBQ, and afternoon sail in perfect conditions, wind and sun.