The TSC regatta took place over the weekend just gone. Three races in the bay on Saturday, then the round Caldey long distance race on Sunday.

The weather was not quite as good as usual in West Wales; drizzle early Saturday gave way to sunshine and a force 3-4 for the afternoon racing. Thirty boats of various classes, but dominated by 12 Ospreys, enjoyed three classic triangular course races with belting three sail reaches and back in to the club for ko in the footy at 5 pm. Dan Jackson from the home club, sailing an RS600, took the honours overall, from the Roses in a Scorpion and Chris Martin and George in a Merlin.

On Sunday, a slow start in light south westerly (and unusually for Wales, light drizzle), a slightly larger fleet set off for the round Caldey Island race. The wind rose as the race went on, and was funnelled through Caldey Sound, increasing its effect.

A starboard biased line saw chaos initially, but good humour triumphed and the fleet escaped without a recall. The fast outgoing tide offered several chances to boats in the rear to make up lost time, particularly through Caldey Sound, where a well-timed tack could earn half-a-dozen places or more.

Around the back of the island boats bore off and then spinnakers were hoisted for the return leg. Many were deceived by the finish mark left in Tenby North Bay rather than heading for the outer distance mark off Monkstone (despite clear advice at the briefing), but eventually the entire fleet sailed the full correct course, including some exciting reaching in a rising wind of force four or more.

In the end, it was the Laser of Steve Rich who took the honours from the home Osprey of Ted and Lucas, followed by the Merlin of Chris Martin and George.

At the prize-giving in the clubhouse later on Sunday, all wanted to know the outcome of the team prize. This is a cash pot of £500 offered by courtesy of sponsorship from Lewis Lewis & Co Ltd, local solicitors of Tenby, St Clears and Carmarthen, for the most successful team of five boats over the regatta weekend. This year, the prize was taken by Coppet Crusaders from Saundersfoot, and many congratulations to them, but much to the chagrin of the Tata Tarts trying to repeat their success last year, and a couple of teams from the local club. Better luck next year!

Another really successful and fun regatta at Tenby; thanks to all visitors for coming and hope to see you all again next year, with teams from your various clubs to get after that cash! Thanks also to all club members who gave up their time to help.

Round Caldey Cruiser race

 

The five cruisers were first off at 12 noon. Blake in Slipstream and Steve in Aries pulled away on a reach towards the Skers. The leg soon became a beat down the sound, fortunately with the tide. 

Aries managed to get in front by Giltar, but Tony/Billy Geoff  on Apatshe tacked early for St. Margaret’s and managed to clear the end of the island in first place, closely followed by Aries and Slipstream. Phil Rees in Accolade was not far behind.

At the back of the island, spinnakers went up, with Apatshe deciding the inside course was best and passed Paul Jones Bay first. However, he seemed to run into a foul tide and Blake and Steve slowly overtook Apatshe. 

There was some confusion over how far up to Monkstone the next mark was, but Aries and Slipstream arrived at the mark side by side. Slipstream sneaked inside after rounding onto the beat back to the finish at Tenby and managed to gain line honours from Aries and Apatshe.  

Honda Rib Challenge

Last weekend was the day for the Welsh heats of the Honda Rib Challenge in Swansea. Training on the Saturday followed by competition in age groups 8-12 and 12-16.

In the first age group, Mairwen James from Tenby Sailing Club took first place, some 30 seconds quicker than second. In the second group, Lewis James, competing for the first time, took second position behind Hywel Jackson, of Saundersfoot. Well done to all of them.

Mairwen now goes on to the Southampton Boat Show in September to compete in the National Final, where the prize is a new rib for the club. Go Mairwen!

Junior training 

Another evening with perfect conditions, force 2-3 NW, tide in, with 16 boats on the water.

The beginners group are now onto stage 2 which involves more upwind work, rather than just reaching.  Blake was assisted by newly-qualified assistant instructors, Harri Richards and Marin Munro. 

Alistair and Jo’s group are now well into stage 3, which includes going around a triangle. In addition everyone seems to be enjoying their sailing, which is the main point of it all.

Howard’s group decided that they deserved a session off training and went fishing and managed to provide the BBQ with some mackerel. 

One of the adults took out a Topper and was also progressing well.

New Members

We have some of the best sailing waters found anywhere in the UK, but the number of active sailing members is static at best. We have space available for more dinghies in our dinghy park and are keen to recruit new adult sailing members.

For anyone interested, we can arrange free taster sessions on a Wednesday evening (or at other times if that is not convenient); once the basics have been mastered we have a number of club boats suitable for adult use before new sailors need to think about getting their own boat.

Anyone interested, please contact Blake or Ted Lewis [email protected] or 07790 839735.

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 membership secretary. Or, for those with online banking, please pay direct to the club account.

Some of the membership benefits - discount on food and drink at the club; use of club premises outside ‘public’ hours; use of club boats, toilets and changing rooms. Please renew promptly.

Forthcoming

events

The passage race from Hobbs Point to Tenby is being re-run on Saturday, July 30.

Website

The club’s website can be found at www.tenbysailingclub.org.uk; the club and details of events going on can be found on Facebook and Twitter. New members welcome; sailors, aspirant sailors and non sailors.

We are a members club run by volunteers who try to involve all members in a variety of activities, both sailing and social.

To enquire about joining call at the clubhouse, contact any member who will be pleased to help, or contact us on line.