Author: jollysailor

Oppies Summer of Fun

Oppies finished for the summer with a fun regatta on Thursday 6th September. Nine children took part. Three teams competed against each other to rig their Oppies, relay race out around a buoy, collect coloured balls, collect bottles with questions inside them, tie knots and derig their Oppies. They all had a great time and were presented with prizes at the end of the session by Commodore Jerry who had come to watch the fun.
Throughout the summer the once a week Oppie sessions taught six youngsters aged 7 to 10 how to sail. They followed the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme and not only learnt the skills necessary to get their own boats ready, how to sail them, and how to be safe but also played games structured so they continued learning sailing skills and also had great fun. Stage 1 was awarded to Michael and Edward. Erin and Tatum were both awarded Stage 1 but have both also mastered some of the skills for Stage 2. Millie was awarded Stage 2 and Joshua was awarded Stage 2 but has also mastered some of the skills for Stage 3. All the awards were presented by Commodore Jerry.
Oppies proved very popular and there were several requests to join in from parents keen to see their children learn in a structured but fun environment. During the summer holidays when space was available another four children joined in the fun and Eve Sherwood who had not sailed before was awarded a Taster certificate.
Oppies Summer of Fun

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 15 files.
 

Cobley 3 16/09/2012

 
The wind was getting up, some mature sailors were finding excuses to not go out. Mark complained of not feeling too well, Bob, I think sabotaged his own boat so he couldnt go out either. Some people go to great lengths !
 
So Chris set the course, he had a smile on his face whilst he was writing it. The reason could be because the course had 4 gybes in it. The patrol boats could be busy.
 
Paul was running a bit late. so he threw he Europe into the water and started the race , unfortunately started a minute too early. The O.O.D. kindly shouted over to him and he returned to the start line. Had he lost the race before he even started????? wait and see!
 
So 22 boats crossed the start line . Newton, Karen ,Jon and Paul had a ding dong battle throughout the race but were overatken by David who ploughed his way through the fleet like a farmer in his field!
 
We had a casualty . the wind was too much for Monica, She made a grand end to her race, her boom knocked her out of the boat and she had to be helped out of the water by the O.O.D.s  The Jolly Sailor is going to give Monica a tip now” Keep your head down in future” i think she enjoyed the attention she was getting!
 
Anyway enough of that back to the race!  the final postions were
 
1st David    2nd Jon   3rd  Karen
 
 
Photos of earlier races to follow.

Pink Day September 2012

PINK DAY SEPT 8TH.

 
Well what a glorious day dawned, club boats all booked, bags full of sailing gear at the ready, the smell of cooking bacon wafting from the galley but alas no wind……what to do? Monica and Ken talked about paddle racing in Toppers with no sails, or a question and answer session and a few more options. But after the usual scrummie breakfast cooked and served by Paul and Barbara, the ‘Pinkies’ were just content to sit out on the deck in the sun and indulge in some social intercourse!
 
A few puffs of wind did come and go enabling Brian to try his hand at sailing the Ent single handed, while Alice and Richard, on surf boards, equiped with masks and snorkels were happy to try out around buoy 6 for all those sitting on the deck to see, Richard’s new toy – an under water torch……their verdict was unanimous the water is very murky….but they had fun.
 
Ken took Amy,Abi, William and Ryhs out in the power boat for a ‘taster’ session in power boat driving….they loved it. and were all ‘natural’s……are we going to see 12+yrs youngsters doing Power Boat Level 1 in the future?
 
Families arrived equipped with picnics, wet suits etc and the afternoon saw Simon going kayaking up the river, Tracey flying her spinnaker with Richard at the helm, having spent most of the morning fitting a new halliard – it works and looked great!!
Even the club Crescent was out with various families drifting around in the very light wind. The youngsters all disappeared to Tektona paddling surf boards, kayaks etc and squeals of laughter were heard from the deck….they were obviously making the most of the no wind conditions. Sam and his younger siblings had a lot of fun in their Topper, no sailing just a lot of paddling and swimming.
 
Later on in the afternoon, as a gentle breeze got up Carole enjoyed a sail in her Comet, then Simon took it out for a ‘spin’….. Monica also had a go and was most impressed……is the ‘old lady’ ready to give up her Europe yet?…….Simon and Clare had a go in the Ent, as did Andrew – no day for windsurfing……..even Sue was on the water with Dean……quite a day…….while Gary arrived with his ‘man flu’ to light the BBQ.
 
There was much confusion when Tracey tried to put her boat away – the cover didn’t fit!  Has someone swapped covers by mistake we wonder??
 
There was a lot of activity in the galley, with Bernadette,  Carole, Sue,Tracey and Fran working away and the day ended with the deck filled with people, all 6 tables came out of the clubhouse, enjoying a sumptious feast together with Pimms and an amazing sunset…….the last day of fun in and on the water of summer 2012 we wonder?
 
 
 
 
Pink Day September 2012

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 15 files.
 

Workparty, Pirates and Campsail

WORKPARTY, PIRATES AND CAMP SAIL WEEK END 1st,2nd and 3rd Sept.
At Tracey’s suggestion the camp sail started on Friday afternoon, with 16 campers enjoying a fish and chip candle lit supper on the deck and of course plenty of liquid refreshment! It was Alice’s birthday and a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday Alice, as there was cake, left over from the Pirates last Thurs session the previous day, where there had been thanks, an Indian meal voucher, flowers and champagne for Carole and Gary and wine for Don for his unstinting power boat driving all summer.
While the ‘oldies’ moved into the clubhouse the youngsters, having collected some wood, enjoyed fun and games around a huge fire.
Next day it was off to work after a breakfast of bacon rolls with all the trimmings, Pink Fleet style!! Pot holes filled in, overgrown areas cleared, clubhouse cleaned, even cobwebs off the deck roof hoovered up – well done Alisdair – edges along the slipway cut back and positively manicured, well done Fran, Tracey and Jonathan. A total of 41 people turned up to do their ‘bit’ – windows cleaned, oven and BBQ grills scrubbed – thank you to everyone who came and to the girls who kept them supplied with refreshments all morning.
Then it was a quick lunch and time for
Pirates. After the usual briefing from Gary some 25 youngsters took to the water in Oppies, Toppers, Picos and because the age limit of 20yrs was ‘lifted’ for the day, some oldies were allowed to join in – the commodore and his lady in their Enterprise, Brian and Richard in their recently refurbished Enterprise as well, not to mention Monica in her Europe, who turned into one of the games….’catch Monica…’fortunately the wind filled in and she was able to keep away. The it was off to the island to hunt for the Pirate treasure. The wind really strengthened giving David, Andrew and Robert some real sport and some great entertainment for those on the deck enjoying their first glasses of the evening – great to have Sarah back with us.
While all this was happening on the water, Barbara with a band of helpers was in the galley preparing a feast of salads and chicken and Simon, Hugh and there helpers were struggling to get the BBQ going…!!!
We all had a wonderful evening, loads to eat and drink – again the youngsters had collected wood and another old mirror to have a huge fire, where some of the oldies drifted to as the chilly wind lasted into the evening.
After all the efforts of the day, the campers retired relatively early at about 2300……Hugh’s hammock worked a treat!
Many thanks to everyone who made it such a great day and to Rupe for being up early to cook breakfast for 34 of us on Sunday morning before the Sunday racers arrived. Another great week end at RSC!!!!

Summer 10 – Racing Report and Lex Cup – Racing Report

Sunday’s race saw the SOOD Mike trying to use every mark on the lake to entertain the 18 racers, plus a shortish line……lots of crossing of courses up and down the lake. Chris in his Firefly made the perfect start and then seemed to disappear…..what happened Chris?
 
It was a steady wind, a splash or two of rain, but a fun race – well Lynne and Steve seemed to be having a lot of fun with their spinnaker….the results were:
 
1st Ian in his Supanova, followed by Chris in his Laser and Roger, who though arriving and starting late,as always, just ploughed his way through the fleet to finish in 3rd – what a ‘jammy’ devil he is!!!

 
Bank Holiday Monday – the Lex Cup. Not so many sailors were ‘allowed out to play’ – family stuff and all that…..Eddie and his team again tried to fit in every mark on the lake, with an enormous starting line for the 9 racers, even choosing the ‘windless’ bouy 1, where lots of chopping and changing of places took place. Little Adrian sailed the perfect race and led till the last mark when he had to give water to Ian and in doing so let Steve and Chris through as well………poor Adrian. Finishing places were 1st Ian, 2nd Chris, 3rd Steve….welcome back, we have missed you……oh yes, Monica discovered one of the advantages of being last was that you got to finish a lap before everyone else, nice one Monica!!
 
A LARGE technical hitch, ie Jolly Sailor couldn’t download any pictures…but watch this space….they will appear in their hundreds very soon…??!!
 

RYA training

Sat 25th August saw 10 lucky girls / ladies having a day’s coaching with Vicki, an RYA coach from Queen Mary training centre. In the preceding days we were anxious about the weather, forecast to be very wet and very windy….in the event we had a great day on and off the water in various boats……a Sport 14, a Leader, a Mirror, a Europe, several Toppers and a couple of Lasers.
We sailed a triangular course with everyone receiving individual coaching, concentrating on the 5 essentials, which we had gone through before taking to the water.
During the lunch break, we were able to ask questions and ‘address’ all our individual problems – Vicki was brilliant and had all the answers.
In the afternoon the wind really increased but most of us took to the water again to practice starting and sailing a lap. There were quite a few capsizes, with Fran entertaining us by throwing herself out of the Leader …….we think Tracey gave her a push??!!
It was a great day, thank you so much Vicki for all your patience and tips on how to go faster and beat those ‘boys’ – also thank you to Brian and the other power boat drivers who helped us.

Pirates Rule the lake

 
PIRATES meet and sail every Thursday regardless of holidays….and last week was no exception with yet again 25 youngsters on the water in a selection of Toppers, with and without sails, and Picos, with and without bungs! The competition for “water in the hull” was close between the sunken Topper and the sinking Pico. From the squeals of laughter the Mums and Dads, preferring to watch from the deck, were not sure who was having the most fun, Gary or his proteges……..!!???we have one more Pirates next Thurs, then Camp sail, 1st Sept which includes an afternoon for Pirates.
Pirates has been a great success all summer despite the appalling weather Thursdays always seem to bring, with numbers of keen youngsters ranging from 14 – 39 in numbers since the first Pirates in April.
Special thanks to our team of dedicated helpers, power boat drivers, ‘floor moppers’, chocolate makers, in fact ‘Uncle Tom Cobley and all.’ Thanks too go to Monica who keeps us all in line.
Pirates would not happen without all the support – Don you have been a diamond – new modern word I am told for Star….!? – we have had a wonderful time, even the gossiping Mums in the Galley and of course without Carole and Gary, there would be no Pirates at all – a big thank you to one and all.
Pirates Rule the lake

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 7 files.
 
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