Sail training

Many hours of hard work and dedication are invested in SSC sail training and possibly not appreciated by many, so here is a brief outline of these activities.

Life member Trevor Smith started sailing instruction at the club around 1984 following interest from the Vicar of Pendine who had three sons to keep active and out of mischief (Rev. Hellier went on to found the Pendine Sea Scouts which later moved to Laugharne under life member Angela Hollies's caring hand). So our RYA Certified Sail Training School has been teaching youngsters and adults to sail for almost 25 years. It is a recognised WYA Dragon Sail Centre and boasts an impressive fleet of 12 dedicated training dinghies comprising - Optimists, Toppers, Laser 2000, RS Feva XL, Wayfarer and Graduate - thus providing a broad breadth of potential dinghy experience for all sizes and ages. We are fortunate in having a singularly dedicated team of RYA qualified instructors, headed by principal Malcolm Williams, who is supported by two senior instructors, three instructors and a number of assistant instructors.

Other experienced club members support with vital safety boat duties. Participation by parents of junior trainees is encouraged, as this provides essential help for all the many non-skilled jobs required to run an active training unit and improves understanding of what is going on to all. Last year, a total of 31 juniors and adults received training and obtained RYA certificates.

Training is provided on Saturdays, with times ruled by the tides. This year's programme for improvers starts on Saturday, April 4. (See http://www.saundersfootsailingclub.org.uk">www.saundersfootsailingclub.org.uk for times). Improvers are encouraged to graduate to club sailing and participate in Sunday races.

Easter, Spring and Summer Bank Holiday Monday's provide specific opportunities to 'have a go' in races as these are not part of the full-on season races for points. A new award this year is to be presented to the most deserving junior trainee racer.

For beginners 'wondering about sailing', a taster session is planned for Saturday, April 25, with Saturday sessions during June and an intensive full week of training starting Saturday, July 27, and culminating in a trainees regatta combined with the junior helm race on Saturday, August 1.

Past trainees have benefited from the satisfaction and enjoyment of sailing, both with our club and elsewhere, and a number have also gone on to achieve notable success at the higher levels of regional and national competitions. This is a most worthy and commendable aspect of SSC activities.

What an opportunity to discard the computer games, inhale some fresh sea air (and perhaps a sniff of spray!) and rubbish the obesity scare stories all in one go.

If you might be interested in participating or lending a hand in some way, contact Tina on 812383 or Malcolm on 01994 448383 to find out more.

Big Screen Rugby

You will be welcome and in good company for lunch and international rugby tomorrow (Saturday) from 12 noon, with England v Italy at 3 pm, followed by Ireland v France at 5 pm.

Also this weekend

Don't forget that the club is also open tonight (Friday) from 6 pm and with an extended opening on Sunday for lunch from 12 noon and for the rugby - Scotland v Wales at 3 pmwith the bar open throughout.

 

Valentine's Day Lunch

Correction to previous details - please note. This event is 12.30 for 1 pm on Saturday, February 14. Bookings please to May on 813595. It will be followed by the France v Scotland game at 4 pm and Wales v Scotland at 5.30 pm on the big screen. Bar open throughout.

 

Nautical Nips

The explanations of the nautical animal terms from last week are as follows (some terms have other meanings as well):

A spider is an iron outrigger to keep a block clear of a ship's side.

A horse is the footrope on which sailors walked out along the yards to tend the sails.

Leeches are the edge of a sail.

Hounds are the fittings at the mast head which support the rigging .

The fly (of a flag) is the breadth from staff to outer edge of a flag .

Goose-wing is the term used when foresail and main sail are set on opposite sides.

A goose/neck is a fitting on the inner end of a boom to tension it down.

A stag is a rock that should be watched for.

A greyhound is a hammock with so little bedding as to be unfit for stowing in the nettings.

Hedgehogs is an old name for boats with many oars.

Skipper's Mate