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.

June Work Party

 
 

 

 
Well out came the sun and with it some 35 people ‘rocked up’ to the club to help with the monthly list of jobs:- strimming, pot hole filling – thanks for the scalpings Curtis – boat park tidying, boat park spaces sorted – Mark with pc in hand and Catherine in tow. Good job guys.
Meanwhile the Moore clan towed Tektona to the jetty for her annual scrub up and pump out – Louise and Alice certainly enjoyed ‘playing’ with the power hose! Club boats were moved, membrane put down, weeds sprayed etc, etc.
Inside, windows were cleaned, the loft and stairs hoovered, lost property removed to go to the nearest charity shop, the lock on the disabled loo fixed, thank you Auntie Pat and Alex and even the cutlery drawers were sorted – thank you Barbara.
There was a general party atmosphere, with lots achieved with fun and laughter and endless cups of ‘real’ coffee to fortify us – well done everyone.
 
For those of us who haven’t ‘partaken’ of a work party yet – please be mindful that we are all required to attend some work parties in order to renew our membership next year…….
 
Later that day, the commodore and his good lady wife, together with the commodore of vice were seen playing rounders in Woodley.  But not to worry that they will be forsaking the club, there was a homemade cake to remind them of the only real sport around. Nice one Amy…

Spring pursuit 11 – Racing Report

Almost perfect racing conditions – sun and wind, a shame it was shifty. Karen as SOOD thought she had the perfect start line and course until the wind changed 5 minutes before the start!

Pat got off to a flying start in her Mirror and managed the first lap and a half before anyone caught up. She then got intimidated by the laser hordes and decided enough was enough, retiring gracefully. Steve in the 505 was almost lapped before he started – Steve you really should get a slower boat then you could race with the rest of the fleet.

Monica in the Europe, Bob  and Jon Mc in their Solos and Chris in the Firefly were keeping ahead of the all the Lasers except David and Chris who struggled to catch Peter in the Enterprise.

Oh Monica, whatever did you do – 5th place….then you capsized and lost 5 places and all in the last 5 mins of the race!

David and Chris had a last tacking duel in the final two minutes with David the final victor but so intent were they on each other they forgot about Peter who nearly overtook them again!!

Final positions David 1st, Chris 2nd, Peter 3rd.

Spring Pursuit 10 – Racing Report

There was an amazing turn out of 32 boats in the lovely sunshine!! Paul and his team set a long course, with boats crossing each other in the middle of the lake – one sailor was heard to say “…it was the worse course he had ever sailed, trying to remember where you were going…”
 
Despite that, we saw Hugh back in his Byte; Pat and Gordon in their Mirrors; Newton, Steve and Adrian all flying their colourful spinnakers; Sylvia sailing again for the first time since her injury last August; and even Alice taking part in her first Sunday race, coming all the way from Lewisham  to take part, and she wasn’t last in the Laser fleet – well done Alice. It was a first for Ryan too, a pursuit race in his New Topper, well done Ryan.
 
Paul sensibly dragged buoy 6  out into the wind, which came and went through out the race.
 
The sunshine saw Bill D, Colin and Bill C, helping with the launching of boats – the slipway was very busy….
 
There was some interesting racing with Roland and Chris getting becalmed briefly, while a gaggle of Lasers, Peter in his Enterprise and Newton in his Laser 2000 caught them up, very frustrating!
 
With the shifting winds the fleet stayed together in little clusters – Dave had an interesting experience at buoy 6, hitting it, another boat and capsizing and then having to do umpteen turns……nice one Dave!! But it was not long before he had caught up again.
 
As the 90 min hooter sounded it was difficult to keep track of the finishing places – Paul was seen dashing into the clubhouse clutching the race sheet to work out the placings to everyone’s satisfaction.
 
For final results see the results page on the web site….the Jolly Sailor ‘lost the plot’ as well!!
 
The afternoon saw plenty with some 15 boats, cruising, practicing for their next training, overseen by Sylvia in the safety boat, trying out her new skills from her previous day’s training in how to rescue  capsized boats with Richard and Brian, While over on the ‘beach’ the Brooks family and friends, were celebrating Gary’s birthday….though he assured us it was not a ‘big birthday’ he had bought himself a new boat, which was launched with ceremony and pink bubbly!!
A very pleasant Sunday afternoon was had by all – not sure about Brian’s chemistry lesson going on in the clubhouse…..a complete foreign language for most of us!!
 
Don’t forget to send photos and news to the Jolly Sailor – email address on the back of your yearbook.
 

Spring Pursuit 9 – Racing Report

Yet another windy day, but Adrian and his team set a good course for the 14 starters, 5p,2s,4s,6s,9p,7s. There was some ‘umming and aaring’ in the dinghy park as to what sails to use, most of the Lasers chose radial sails, whether to reef etc. Monica teamed up with Dave P in his reefed Wayfarer and had a great sail, while Hugh forsook his Byte  to crew Newton in his big boat with some great spinnaker work. Lynne and Steve were just content to stay upright – no spinnaker for them!!
 
Poor Mike in his Solo didn’t even make the start and retired after a nasty capsize, while Dave L had to be pulled out of the trees with his upturned Laser.
 
Paul and Nev broke their main halliard 2 minutes before the end of the race, trying to put on more kicker, but survived and didn’t lose a place.
 
There were murmurings in the dinghy park, after the race, that more reaches would have been better, but the wind was very shifty as well as strong
 
Dave got through Chris to finish 1st,  Chris 2nd and Ian 3rd.
 
The afternoon saw 3 novice sailors out in Picos, being assisted by Steve in another Pico and Phil in the safety boat – excellent progress was made with no capsizes – well done guys!! 

May Pink, May Pirates and Open Day

Open Day.
It was an early start for some with Mark setting up the signs at the roundabout and the signs along the road, inviting people to come and check us out and hopefully join us. A few people dropped in during the course of the day, including a reporter from the Reading Post – thanks for that Anne – with a huge camera. The commodore was duly on hand to show him around and explain that the mayhem on the water was in fact a race in progress!! Sales of the Reading Post are set to soar over the next week or so…??
Members came and went, lending helping hands, here and there – keeping the dishwasher loaded etc – thanks, Sally, Anne, Barbara and many others.
 
Pink Day
 
Despite the strong winds 14 boats took to the water, fortified by Chef Paul’s superb breakfast. Mark was standing in for Ken, while Monica replaced Barbara in the galley. We had the usual briefing in the club house and got going promptly at 1100 – a simple course but a nasty gybe mark at no. 6!!!
Monica and Richard took to one safety boat with Simon and Mark in the other. Brian opted for crewing Tracey in her Leader, while half way through the race Paul arrived towing a rib with an ENORMOUS  engine!! – a definite sparkle appeared in Richards’ eyes, and Brian completely lost interest in the Leader’s Jib!!
 The standard of sailing was very high, and although there were plenty of capsizes, few people needed assistance – except poor Izzy who managed to get her mast stuck in the mud and needing a little help to stay dry and get going again. This gave Monica plenty of opportunity to get some marvellous pictures from the rescue boat. Meanwhile the Leader needed to be pulled out of the reeds….was Tracey leading Brian ‘astray’ we wonder..!!
David, Ian and Mike managed some spectacular capsizing around the gybe mark – entertainment for those on the deck. Amy and her friend Vanessa giggled their way around the course, obviously having a lot of fun.
But the outstanding winner was Alice again with some superb sailing with plenty of capsizes, all dry of course. Well done Alice….another month of keeping the Pink Fleet cup polished!
 
Pirates Afternoon.
Plenty of youngsters arrived to swell the soggy masses of people in the club house having lunch. Numbers were also increased by a group of youngsters brought along by Chris and Carole for a taste of sailing.
Carole and Gary, our fantastic Pirate leaders, went out in their Rabbit, aka, Wanderer, for a final sail – they take delivery of a new boat very soon.
Due to the strong winds, by now gusting 40 mph, no club boats were allowed on the water, much to the disappointment of some keen youngsters. Only those willing to risk damage to their own boats took to the water plus a couple of old Topper hulls , with paddles instead of sails.
Haidy was having fun in her well reefed Pico, until a hook broke…what a shame. Colm and his mate Ben had fun in their Topper, while Alice, Robert and Craig were just sailing back and forwards at great speed, hanging on for dear life, for all to see – amazing spectator sport – their energy seemed endless……
Kea went out for a ‘spin’ with Robert in the Comet, but got a swim as well, but he was heard to say it was ‘great.’ Even little Tane had a sail with Robert and was also thrilled and very wet!!
Hot chocolate was awaiting everyone, and they all pitched in with the clearing up – Chris and Carole did sterling work in the changing rooms, while seeing Gary mopping the club house floor is …well…quite something….
Well done and many thanks to all the boys and girls Mums, Dads and Grannies for making all day such fun.
May Pink, May Pirates and Open Day

You are invited to view Tracey’s album. This album has 24 files.
 
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