Reading Sailing Club Members

THANKS TO THE 30 PEOPLE WHO MADE THE EFFORT TO COME TO THE WORK PARTY ON 6TH OCT. Special thanks to Curtis who delivered more scalpings, and the guys, including young Rupert, who filled in the pot holes, yet again. All the overhanging branches have been cut back again – the damage the rain has been doing to the drive this summer has been horrendous.   Mark and his crew have created a further 20 boat park spaces. Dean and Newton, having cleared the wall area, with ‘great difficulty!!!! ‘ got the flat packed IKEA cupboard together and up on the wall, for all the 1st Aid equipment. Louise re painted the area as well, after she and Richard had been working on the new starting box – nearly finished I am told. Catherine made all the windows shine – Nigel cleared and tidied the loft area, even washing the sailing boot trays. Dene addressed the missing lights in the clubhouse and lots of cleaning and tidying was done in the clubhouse as well. Meanwhile the MODEL YACHTERS HAD THEIR OPEN MEETING. Another success despite the light winds, with 8 visitors, coming from as far away as Leicester and Emsworth, to enjoy the delights of Reading Sailing Club. Despite the 16th race (they only have 5 minute races!!) being cancelled due to lack of wind, they all seemed to enjoy themselves, overseen by John and Brian, judging and scoring respectively. A good day was had by all – the glorious sunshine helped.

October Work Party and Model Yatching Open Meeting View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 7 files.

This time the wind was blowing, blowing hard. Some of the laser sailors were wishing they had a 4.7 rig. 18 boats took to the water. Were any of them going to finish?

The first casualty was Adrian in his laser. He said his tiller extension joint broke just before the start. The next boat to take an early dip was Steve and Lynne. Lynne was determined to keep her hair dry. She said she has just washed it. Next they will be putting make up on before they go out onto the water. Unfortunately they got their mast stuck in the mud and took them the whole race to get it out. Karen was sailing very well until she too capsized so 3 out of 18 were out of the race. Chris soon caught up Paul and they both had David Lomas snapping at their heels. Mark produced a bit of skill in his laser and managed to get his boat underneath the buoy line. The only way out was to sail in the rowers part of the lake. Luckily they weren’t rowing at the time.

1st. Chris. 2nd. Paul. 3rd. David.

Well done David.

It was carnage out there!!!  Allegedly, only 8 of the 18 starters made it to the finish line.   Thanks go to Monica for acting as a substitute radio!   Racing report to follow later…

Cobley 5 – Pictures View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 13 files.

Sorry for the late posting of this racing report, the Jolly Sailor is still trying to dry out from all the rain.
 
The weather forecast was RAIN , RAIN and more RAIN!!!!!!!!! That’s exactly what we got. The Jolly Sailor felt very sorry for the O.O.D. s  . They were not looking forward to doing their stint.  A big thank you goes to Roger and Monica for stepping into the shoes of Colin. He is recovering from an operation. Hope to see you at the club at Christmas Colin.
 
So 17 boats rigged and took to the water, well I lie!  16 , David was getting out of his car when the count down sequence started.  David was going to give us a head start again!!!!  Don’t worry David Father Christmas will buy you a alarm clock!
 
Hugh was first to leave with his Byte. The wind was expected to pick during the race. Hugh wished that happened now. Buoy 9 was the first mark and it was slow progress.  Do the position of the line , all the boats started at the far end. When the Lasers started it was a case of who had the biggest shout had the best place for the start. Some them had to start 3 row down bit like a Grand Prix Race. Jon took and early lead closely follow by the pack. The leg X to 2 was a very long and slow, about 10 lasers were in a row shouting water. Newton choose a perfect line to the mark but couldn’t find the brake and nearly speared Dave with his spinnaker pole.  I’m just pleased Richard and Alicia weren’t here!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Jon maintained his lead until the last lap then karen passed him . Jon face said it all!!!!
 
So the finishing positions were
 
1st Karen,    2nd  Jon,  3rd  Mark

The Twilight Race Photos View photos    Download all You are invited to view Mark’s album. This album has 4 files.

16/09/2012 View photos    Download all You are invited to view Mark’s album. This album has 4 files.

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 View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 15 files.

 
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 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 View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 15 files.