Club Racing

A late race to finish the mid-season series was delayed by mist in the bay. Eventually, a decision was made to sail and three boats took to the water in a gusty force 2-3 with an accompanying light rain (is it August this week?)

An Amroth, Monkstone, harbour course was set and the fleet sailed into the mist. A strong wind on the Amroth, Monkstone beat gave Steve and Ben Hinksman a tough time in their new boat, but all was well and no capsizes.

Final results were: 1. Peter Bower (Phantom); 2. Paul Griffiths (Solo); 3. Steve and Ben (RS Vision). Thanks to Tom, Ivan and Anne-Marie for running a good race with Chris and Huw in patrol.

We nearly had a late entry on the start line as David and Graham were putting Pendle through her paces, trying to impress a potential buyer - will this mean space in the harbour and beers on David?

The final results for the Mid Season Series were as follows: 1. Paul Griffiths with 10 points; 2. Chris Bannister with 22 points; 3. Peter Bower with 29 points; 4. Steve Hinksman with 43 points; 5. John Roberts with 48. A total of 19 competitors over the series with nine races. Full results will be in the clubhouse.

The first two races of the Late Season start at 11 am this Sunday.

Sail Training

Between eight and 12 improvers each day were put through their paces during five days of intensive training last week. The notable feature of the week was perhaps too little wind which failed to provide as much challenge and variation of skills needed as would have been liked, but that could not be helped. Many thanks to all the Instructors and supporters who made this event possible.

Logbooks were updated and certificates presented at the start of the Welcome Evening on the Saturday.

Junior and Lady Helm Races

Eleven enthusiastic younger members competed for these trophies last Saturday. Two graduates from the previous five days of intensive training had a go - but where were the rest of you from all the practice of that week - you missed a great opportunity to apply all your new knowledge ?

Race officers Graham and Tom supported by Malcolm, Martin and Phil on patrol, set a Pendine, Monkstone, harbour course in a quiet force 2-3 which fell away requiring a shortened course. The host of Toppers, the RS Feva and the Bug completed one lap with the two Lasers managing two laps.

There was close competition in the middle of the field with only one minute separating Rachel second (Topper), Jamie third (Topper), Will fourth (Laser) and Finlay fifth (RS Feva). The cups which will be presented at the end of season prize-giving at the Laying Up Supper, go to Maria (Laser 2) winning the Lady Helm and Rachel (Topper) taking the Junior Helm.

It would seem that girl power rules ok - come on lads, let's get some more practice in and regain our supremacy!

Welcome Evening

An event to remember with more new faces joining many well-known ones than perhaps ever before at any one time. Apologies if we do not manage to remember all your names for a bit, but the more everyone is involved in kayaking, sailing, cruising and social, the quicker it will be.

The club was full for an excellent buffet and a good deal of chatter, and a great feeling of satisfaction and well being pervaded the evening. Many thanks to all those members who undertook all the jobs to ensure this success. (No names in case I leave someone out in error!)

Nautical Nip

It is exactly 150 years this week since the very first Met Office weather forecast. These were started by Vice Admiral Robert Fitzroy who gave his name to the far south-westerly sea area and is also remembered as Captain of the Beagle on Charles Darwin's epic voyage of discovery. At the tender age of 14, he established a Welsh connection, going to sea in the frigate HMS Owen Glendower during which two year voyage he was promoted to midshipman. He was a descendent of Charles II and clearly a man of great intelligence and vision, but he could not have guessed at the sophistication of weather forecasting that would develop from his first simple predictions published in The Times in 1861.

Best guess for this Sunday's racing at the time of going to press, is a west north westerly force 4-5 with light drizzle - has the 100 trillion calculations a second super computer got it right this time?

Skipper's Mate