One might be forgiven for thinking that dinghy racing is largely a young person's sport, with the physical exertion, stamina and weather hardiness required.
A further reflection on last week's Coppet Week results, however, makes salutary reading. No less than four sailors in the top 12 of this 74-boat event were over 60-years-old, with an average age of almost 67 years! The fourth boat overall was a National 14 - one of the fastest single hull dinghies made - and this was helmed by a 76-year-old!
As one of the pensioners commented: "Saundersfoot is making a great contribution to youth sailing!"
Sail Training
The first planned outing on the water for beginners last Saturday was too cold and wet, so after some practice rigging, they all made a graceful withdrawal to the clubhouse for knot-tying and training videos.
Power Boat
Training
Whilst the younger sail trainees took cover and stayed ashore, there was no such respite for senior member Trevor Smith who was scheduled to undertake an assessment of two experienced powerboat drivers from Tenby SC who brought their RIB to Saundersfoot on Saturday. However, in keeping with the excellent relations between our two clubs, duty was done and the two competent safety boat drivers returned, having passed their assessments.
Club Racing
Last Sunday's race - the first in a series of three for the Royal Marines Cup and the first of the mid season series - was notable for an absence of wind, which also shifted inconveniently at the last minute to mess up the windward beat and the intended gibe mark.
Paul Johnson, as race officer, had already been tested in actually getting to the race officer's box at the end of the harbour wall, owing to a six-foot barrier fencing off the recent building work to the wall, which he had to scale before assuming his race management duties.
A very close fought race culminated in Paul Griffiths in his Solo very narrowly beating Peter Bower in his Phantom. The rest of the field comprised the Hinksman family, with elder son Ben (Topper) leading younger brother Harry (Optimist) to finish ahead of father Steve (Topper).
The Laser 2000 also sailed by novice sailors had to retire with sail trouble.
Well done you Improver sailors - keep up the good work!
Nautical Nips
The last day of Coppet Week last Friday was beset by thick mist until after lunchtime. This was frustrating, but not dangerous as the dinghies were not on the water, but it reminds one that fog is one of the biggest, and often underestimated, hazards of sailing. If you are caught out under sail in restricted visibility, what should you do?
(This is a bit sneaky as Skipper's Mate is away for the next two issues, so the next duty editor will have to provide the answer to this poser next week! Hopefully clarity will prevail! Please will all members excuse an erratic delivery of email news as a result of this absence).
Skipper's Mate