Reading Sailing Club Members

With all the advanced warnings from the weather guys it was not surprising that only 14 boats went out, mostly radial Lasers – only big Adrian and Ken had full rigs. Frantz and his FULL team set a good course from the shore with several gybe marks, 5p,9s,3p,2p,6s,7s,S!

The first to come in was Bob, in his Solo, having made a late start and finding the wind too strong, followed by Phil in his Solo and later on Hugh.

Roland managed a magnificent dry capsize right in front of the OODs before the start. But he went on to lead most of the race, keeping Newton and Ros at bay, only to be overtaken by them in the dying minutes of the race, but only by his retracted spinnaker pole – a close thing!

Finishing places 1st Newton, 2nd Roland and 3rd Adrian.

Even with Ken, Barbara, Elaine and Jerry all missing, it was a great day! Monica had to multi task ‘big time’ – helping Paul, the Pink Fleet chef, serve breakfast, clear up the galley, set a course…..thanks to Steve….then start the race – no one seemed to notice she had got the wrong flags and the wrong timings – then leap into the ‘big’ engined safety boast with Richard to help Bob, Chris, Dave and James, already on the water, to effect any rescues….well the standard of sailing was so good that the 14 racers didn’t need any help….except a bit of towing….Belinda had 3 reefs in her Pico, as per instructions, where none was needed – the wind was quite pleasant with few gusts.

Alice took the lead from the start and romped away from the rest of the fleet, only to be disqualified for going too fast! William sailed really well in his Topper, even though Dean had led him astray and had to do some turns….naughty, naughty Dean!

It was good to see Rachel and young Sam on the water, Alex with Dad Dave at the helm of the Wayfarer, Gordon in his Comet, John and his 2 little ones having fun in his Pico – while Bob decided to take a mate with him in his Supanova…it’s a single hander Bob…….he lost his boom, but with a little outside help, he got it reattached and of course was disqualified…..but the out right star of the race was Pat in her Mirror and for her efforts, she won the much sort after Pink Fleet cup – well done Pat.

It was a glorious chilly morning with no wind….but right on queue at 1000 – the met office were ‘spot on’ for a change! – the wind filled in!! 22 boats took to the water, including young Alice, with most Lasers sporting a full rig…..poor Gordon did not realise it was a pursuit race and missed his start!

Jon and his team set a course from Tektona with 4 gybe marks!! The lovely sunny, fairly breezy conditions suddenly changed an hour into the race when a squall with heavy rain came through…..gusts exceeding 22mph, which were recorded in a sheltered part of Reading, capsized about 80% of the fleet and really tested the power boat teams, boosted in number by Brian.

Upturned Lasers were left while dripping sailors were plucked from the water. Paul survived and won the race – see the results for other placings. Poor Peter was towed in, having capsized due to gear failure. Also Alice managed to avoid capsizing with her full rig – well done Alice.

Monica retired before the squall hit and had hot soup and rolls waiting for the cold, wet, sailor

As always, the weather changed once the race was over, with the sun coming out and the wind dropping again – what will next week bring?

It was a perfect evening for a the 29 boats, eager to get on the water in the dying breeze. While Don and his team delayed the race for 15 mins the boats were being decorated with an assortment of lights. By the time the race started the wind was very light but Steve in his 505 got away on a lucky puff and headed off to 3 at the far end of the lake. Andy retired after the first lap, Sylvia and a few others were towed in finding the lack of wind too tedious!!

There were little groups of boats swapping places through out the hour long race and lights became visible – a lovely sight for those deciding to just sit on the deck and enjoy the views of the setting sun.

Roland got ahead of Steve and established a good lead, finishing 1st, Mark 2nd and Chris 3rd. While poor Dean and Lucy having got totally shut out at the start, sailed back wards for a bit, but eventually getting going to finish in last place – bad luck Dean!

Meantime on shore, Sally and her team were preparing a massive BBQ feast, which some 35 people enjoyed on the deck.

There was thanks all around, to Sally and her team for the BBQ, Lynne and Elaine who had done supper when Geesji was on holiday and a bouquet was presented to Geesji from all the Wednesday evening racers for all the wonderful meals she had given us all summer. Everyone pitched in to clear up and thus ended the Wednesday sails for another year.    

With no wind, the lake like glass, Roland and his team were reluctant to run a race, but the 14 boats were keen to sail…!! Some points needed to sort out the top places!!

The course was Xp, 8p, 7p and for those on shore it was like watching paint dry!! But Ian in his supernova got away at the start, was caught up by Mike, who then managed to head off to 6 instead of 7. letting Ian through again!! All very exciting! Finishing places on the water were 1st Ian, 2nd Mike, 3rd Newton, but the results page says it all!!

Last Pirates

As ever the Pirates were out in force, 14 boats, some 30+ youngsters, in the gusty winds and sunshine. Gary decided to fly the Pirate flag at 1/2 mast – the first to notice was the commodore……then the children came to ask as well – ….”we are in mourning” said Gary, as Pirates has come to an end. There was a race and then some fun and the usual capsizing, which everyone loves!!! While the children enjoyed their hot chocolate, Jerry made a little speech about how important the Pirates are – the largest activity in the club, with more youngsters on the water, more people enjoying the club facilities, than even the Sunday and Wednesday racing! Quite amazing!

Presentation were made to Gary, Don and David, Carole was away, and Gary said his ‘bit’ as well and there were ‘thank yous’ all round.

Up the Pirates!!

Camp Sail.

Saturday dawned, fine but a little chilly, but it did not deter the campers. Firstly, there were a few arrivals for the work party, wrongly shown in the Year Book for the 31st…….it’s next Sat 7th!! But David, Mike, Frantz. Bob and Peter set about strimming, moving sand and bricks from under the galley window, then helping set up for the camp sail – Louise did a sterling job supervising the erection of the gazebo.

Tents were soon being put up and Gary had agreed to do an ‘extra’ Pirate session in the afternoon – another race and more fun on the water, with kayaks, an assortment of boats – Rob, Colm and Hugh ‘road testing’ the Firefly kindly given to them by Chris – the youngest Pirate, Affe, out for her 1st sail in her brother’s Oppie – with smiles and capizes all around!!

Soon the BBQ was being lit, Colin and his mates arriving with their instruments and delicious food being enjoyed to the accompaniment of some wonderful jazz music, with a beautiful sunset over the lake as a back drop – quiet idyllic. The huge bonfire was lit and the youngsters disappeared to enjoy the warmth of the flames – there was even some dancing on the deck and a wonderful chorus of Happy Birthday for Alice’s 16th birthday.

In the musicians break a gorgeous bouquet was presented to Carole for all the work she has put into running the Pirates all summer long.

But all too soon it was getting late and a little chilly….though some stayed up into the small hours……

Sunday morning saw a flurry of activity, with Gary cooking bacon on the BBQ, everyone ‘mucking in’ to take the gazebo down and clearing up ready for the Sunday racers keen to start the Cobley pursuit series. It was a good race in a nice, gusty at times, wind.

But with the campers packing up their tents and some heading off, the day did not end there as Simon arrived with his family to celebrate his birthday, along with Sue, Dean, their girls and Sally and Mike with their friends and a picnic lunch – it was all happening at RSC at the week end!

There was an amazing sunset over the lake when the last of us left.

Many thanks go to everyone who helped to make such a great time at the club.    

Stop Press – Work Party and Pink day dates

Thanks to all those who turned out for Saturdays Work Party.

The next work party is this Saturday 7th September and Pink day is 14th September.
Not as previously advertised in the Year Book or Website.

20 boats were rigging in the boat park and rigging area. The wind was unusually lacking this evening , it was going to be a relaxed leisurely sail for a change. It was nice to see a full compliment of O.O.D. s so the race was going to be well supported.

Everyone took to the water. The start line was very congested and Dave I decided he wanted to try get a good start so he sailed straight across the start blocking the sailors who were inching up towards the line. Unfortunately his boat stopped and poor Adrian tried to take avoiding action but clipped Dave s boat . Not a good start for Adrian. Dave seemed to continue from his perfect position on the start line and sail away from the fleet. The first mark was reached by Paul in his Europe closely followed by Ian and Mark.

Ian crept ahead of Paul but he was concerned about whether he was far enough ahead or not. If Ian won then it would be very interesting in the Gillette leader board. The first 3 boats would have equal points with only one more race next Wednesday, but life isn't always that exciting and Paul beat Ian by 20 seconds.

1st. Paul. 2nd. Ian. 3rd. Newton

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SUMMER 10
Another windy day…..Paul had only 1 OOD, so running a race for some 20+ boats was in doubt….where were the missing / no show OOd’s? Fortunately Bob was co-opted / volunteered and the race was able to run.
The course, 4p,9s,5p,2p,xs,8p,7p, gave some nice long beats and challenging runs. Young Ryan had a death role and a swim, but got his Byte up again and carried on. It was good to see young Andrew enjoying his first race in his Laser with David close by keeping an eye on him!
Karen, just returned from the Miracle champs, exhausted, crewed Nev in his Ent and really enjoyed it – a big difference from her Laser. Chris was out in his new Solo with a huge grin on his face – safe to say he’s pleased with his new purchase!!
Dave, fresh back from the Fastnet, was heard to say how good it was to be in a small boat again and be able to come ashore so quickly at the end of the race – he made a good start and finished 3rd – well done Dave. 1st Ian in his Supanova, 2nd Roland, with a radial sail, also back from a summer of ‘big boat’ sailing. Perhaps we all need to do some big boat sailing to improve our skills?!!