Free taster sessions and Open Day

For all those who would like to have a go at sailing, but don’t know where to start, the club will be running taster sessions in its annual come and try event on Sunday, May 15, 10 am to 5 pm, run in conjunction with the RYA ‘Push the Boat Out’ event. There will be the opportunity for anyone wanting to have a go, to be taken out in dinghies, ribs or cruisers. This will be free for non-members as well as members. Kitchen and bar open all day

Further information from Blake on 07717842713. Or email [email protected]

You can pre register or just turn up on the day.

Junior Training

Last Wednesday, 20 juniors went on the water and braved the cold and wind and tide out. However, all seem happy enough to keep coming. Maybe it’s the promise of the BBQ afterwards. There were the usual beginners, improvers and Rib groups.

At the time of writing, the weather seems to be warming up at last and outside BBQs on Wednesday evenings are planned from now on. Everyone welcome to come along, not just the junior members. Bar open from 5 pm.

Club Kitchen

Last season’s successful partnership with Yanni of Caffe Vista is being repeated this year, and started last Friday. The club will be open for food initially at weekends, but as the summer proceeds, every day. Currently to be open from 6 to 9 pm every Friday and Saturday evening.

Dinghy Racing

Here are the results from last Saturday’s dinghy racing.

First race: 1. Alistair and Alastair (Osprey); 2. Jaime and Lucas (Osprey); 3. Steve and Jas (RS 200); 4. Mike and Deanna (Osprey); 5. Dan and Conner (RS400).

Second race: 1. Jaime and Lucas (Osprey); 2. Mike and Deanna (Osprey); 3. Steve and Jas (RS200).

Saturday evening’s dinghy racing was held in sparkling conditions in a steady south-westerly force 4 and sunshine - if only every race was held in such weather!

Paul Redford officiated as PRO and set a triangular course with a broad spinnaker reach, followed by a close reach. Dan and Conner were a little enthusiastic at the start and as a result had to return and start properly. The three Ospreys of Alistair, Jaime and Mike were all very close at the first windward mark, with Alistair just managing to get there first. Mike was able to make the most of the spinnaker reach and had a significant lead by the gybe mark, however enthusiasm got the better of him as he gybed the spinnaker and then had to drop it quickly on the close reach. Jaime and Alistair read the conditions better and dropped the spinnaker before the mark and managed to pass the somewhat disappointed Mike. These positions were then held until the last leg when Alistair squeezed inside Jaime at the gybe mark and went on to take line honours and overall on handicap, with both Steve and Dan unable to hold their handicap in the conditions.

Unfortunately, the Alistairs and Dan were unable to make the second race, Alastair committed to a wedding function (not his) and Dan suffering a breakage (to the boat).

The second race followed the pattern of the first, with Jamie taking line honours ahead of Mike and Steve again.

All followed by a few pints in the bar afterwards and food provided by Yanni.

It was good to see Jon Nuttall in a RS200 with his young daughter and Dafen in his Osprey, with a couple of potential sailors out on the water introducing them to the joys of dinghy sailing.

Please note, racing on Tuesday evenings has restarted.

Cruiser racing

The first cruiser race is planned for tomorrow (Saturday) at 6 pm.

Bar opening

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

2016 Membership

A reminder to all members. Subs for 2016 were due on January 1. If you haven’t renewed yet, please go to the club website, print and complete the membership form and forward with payment to the membership secretary.