Reading Sailing Club Members

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

What a contrast between the 2 Saturdays – last week was warm sun but fluky winds, while the second day, 27th, was bitterly cold and much stronger winds. But all our trainees took the weather conditions on both days in their stride and successfully gained their Stage 1 and Level 1 certificates. Well done guys. The youngsters had fun both days with all the different tasks they had to complete – capsize drill, picking up ducks, balls and paddling boats being very popular – well done Grace and Jenny for beating Louis and Aiden in the paddling race to 6 and back. There were lots of spectacular capsizes in both groups – Belinda got the ‘booby’ prize for her 5! – while young Jenny managed to get through 3 wet suits on day 1! Even Monica gave the guys a treat, capsizing Alice’s Topper and having to be rescued. The boys in the power boats were kept very busy on both days, thanks Richard and Brian. Even Steve was ‘here, there and everywhere’ helping out and making sure we were all doing everything right with recaps in  the club house at regular intervals through out the 2 days. The start sailing video came in handy when we were all wet, cold and needing a break – Sally makes everything look so easy….and guess that’s why she’s an Olympiad!! Thanks also go to our ‘gophers’ who were there with hot drinks, mops, buckets, sunscreen etc. A great start to this year’s sail training program…..

First training of 2013 View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 29 files.

Karen the S.O.O.D. had a cheeky grin on her face as she set the course. Did she know something the sailors didn’t? 9 boats took to the water. Funnily enough the laser sailors decided to rig their radials instead of their standard rigs. The wind was moving round like a wasp in a dogs mouth! This became the sailors downfall. The depleted duty team were struggling at times to cope with the sailors swimming in the water whilst the boats were on their sides. Finishing positions were. 1st. Paul , 2nd. David , 3rd. Chris.   Attached are photos from Spring Pursuit 5 and 6.

Spring Pursuit 5 View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 4 files.

We expect to demolish the old shed on Friday. Members who park their boat on row adjacent to the old shed will need to move it whilst  the work takes place  The debris will be heaped between the trailer park and the pirates bonfire so don’t park your boat there !. The committee will move any boats necessary on Wednesday and Friday, at the owners risk.

The committee.

And what a first night it was! Wind blowing a real storm, but that did not deter 20+ youngsters rocking up looking for some fun – even Alice came, poor Richard, all that driving!   Gary, the Pirate leader, decided that no club boats could be used – it was force 5/6 gusting 7…. it was enough to blow a Topper end over end off its trolley as it was being rigged. The waves battering the jetty looked big enough to surf.   It was decided that only very competent youngsters could venture on to the water in their own Toppers, namely Amy, Robert and Alice, accompanied closely by Don and David in the safety boat.   Well they had a real ‘blast’ much to the envy of those who watched from the Pirate log on the shore.  There were a couple of capsizes, one particularly spectacular one when Amy managed to entangle Robert as he sailed too close to her as she struggled to right her capsize.    The three hardy sailors came in very wet but very happy, to be met by the usual hot chocolate, thanks to Carole.   What a start to the new Pirate year!

Pirates 2013 starts View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 8 files.

Despite the iffy weather, gusty winds and prospect of rain, 15 boats took to the water with 18 people on board, after a great breakfast cooked by Paul, thank you chef.   Spirits were high, as a lot of Pink Fleeters hadn’t been on the water since November.   Mark stood in for Ken and set a good course, having first explained the starting sequence to us all. The start was close with Mike and Sally getting away first closely followed by Alice with her full rig Laser – very brave. Dave in his Wayfarer with Sandra soon took the lead, but the top end if the fleet stayed close with Riccardo, Alice, Monica and Sally and Mike, catching each other up around 7, in the light fluky winds. In the middle of the fleet Tracey was having fun in her big boat with Samuel crewing for her and having a good race against Mike in his laser. Nigel in his Topper, Dean in his Laser were all going well.   While out in the strengthening winds saw Chris and Carol, Mike and Monica all capsizing – great rescue facilities. Chris and Carol seemed to be bailing an Olympic sized swimming pool out the back of their boat. Monica had trouble getting her boat upright and had to be towed in.   Sally was disqualified for falling in at the jetty…but  the Pink Fleet cup undoubtedly went to Sandra for some great crewing and winning by a mile…..unfortunately she had left before the presentation – so Alice proudly accepted it for her amazing sailing ……” I don’t like sailing to windward….” I don’t think so!!! Well done Alice a great sail!!!!

Pink Fleet – April 2013 View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 12 files.

What an amazing turn out we had on Saturday, 38 members made short work of so many jobs – the drive has had potholes filled in – thanks Curtis for all the scalpings and all the guys with shovels – the clubhouse windows got thoroughly cleaned inside and out – Mike if you are thinking of a career change the committee will give you a reference for window cleaning! Newton shows great promise as a plumber, fixing the leak under the  galley hand wash basin! Sally spent the whole morning sorting, making lists and bagging up all the lost property, which will be disposed of after the 1st June if left unclaimed – fantastic job Sally. Gutters were cleared, club boats got out and cleaned, overgrown bush areas were cut back and many more jobs as well. Even young Miriam and even younger Finn gave a hand. Pat had a posse of people helping in the red shed while Richard and Brian were making permanent buoys for the training days. It was a great effort by everyone – a big THANK YOU.

Work Party 6th April View photos    Download all You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 11 files.

Spring has sprung  solots of eager sailors rushed to the lake bouyed by the promise of sunshine, above freezing temperature and a gentle breeze. Well they say two out of three ain’t bad, and the fickle wind pooped out of the party only really turning up in the final half hour to tease a bit.

For some the real race was to get to the Tektona start line at all. The Solo contingent where the most tardy, with Jon making it several minutes late and Bob not turning up at all. Neither had a note from their mum and will be dealt with firmly.

Mick did make it on time but probably wished he hadn’t as it took 8 minutes to get to the windward mark.  No sooner had he got there when the wind moved around first 90 and then 180 degrees – the beat goes on as they say. This meant that traditional sailing skills where abandoned in favour of woo-woo wind devining and goat entrail breeze predicting. It was Jon Clay who seamed to have most luck with this, at least he made progress where some sailers where seen going backwards ( their identities have been hidden to save embarrrassement but we know who they are – St@ve , N~ck, M#ck & H>gh) 

Anywaay by the third lap some sort of breeze had established itself and Ian hit the front using his comanding “silver surfer” stance aboard the Supernova, while David Clay overtook nearly everybody in pusuit.  Places changed hands like knock off tobacco in a Scouse pub and Peter lost all sense of direction and began spinning around alarmingly – he could’nt have accrued that many penalties? no it was rigging failure let him down again. Time for a new boat perhaps, far less string on a Laser ?

Final hooter came non too soon and accolades went to Ian and the Clay family. Minor places where still being sorted out in the carpark when JS made his excuses and left – no biting , gouging or rabbit punches boys ! Results will be in the usual place, read em and weep.

(library pic !? – sorry forgot to take the camera)