In the social diary we have an ‘interesting talk’ following the bring and eat on Saturday 4th May, however, the person Claire, our social secretary, was hoping to do this can no longer make it.
If you have something you want to talk about which will interest people, or if you know someone who could do it, please get in touch with Claire,
The day started overcast with a light breeze from the East. By the time racing was underway the breeze was fading, so much so that the phantom wood choppers turned round, went ashore, and chopped some more wood!
Those that kept racing endured the mirror like conditions and managed to complete one lap before heading ashore for lunch.
The big question was whether the wind would fill in before racing was abandoned for the day… After racing was abandoned, not unexpectedly, various zephyrs did pass through, but they soon disappeared proving the right decision was made.
Despite a forecast of light winds, the sun shone, and there was a steadyish breeze to get the fleet of 15 boats around the course.
There was a good mix of boats in the handicap fleet. Unusually Scumper was first to the start with a couple of minutes to spare. Steve-Ruth misinterpreted the signals, and were testing the start when they realised what they thought was the 3 min signal was their start! Peter B got there some minutes after the GP start…
Despite his poor start, Steve was soon in the lead, and with the wind easing on the final lap (after he had finished), his lead was strengthened further, winning him the race ahead of Scumper. Steve won the 2nd race also, this time from Tog who had had another good race staying ahead of Scumper.
In the F15s, Ian/Lezli-Ann realised they hadn’t rigged the spinnaker properly, and were late for the start after mooring to a mark to resolve the problem. They did manage to pass Graham/Glynis who were nattering so much at one stage they missed passing through YZ! However, it was Mike/Kayla that won the first race.
In the 2nd race, Simon/Jon were back on form and pulled out a good lead from Ian, with Mike coming 3rd.
David/Lynn beat Mike/Nigel in both races.
A freezing night left ice on the lake on Saturday morning, but the sun shone, so there was no need for any ice breakers before the influx of visitors attending our open day! Many visitors had the opportunity to go for a sail and experience a taste of our sport.
Commodore Andy Smith wanted racing to get underway on time. Although Herb was ready, the Bates wasn’t. No start marks, so had to pick them up only to find they had no flags! With everything ready for the on time start, there were still a few stragglers on the shore…
Steve/Ruth were ready though and they got off to a flying start – had they written the course down correctly though? Well they did go on to win the race, and the Starter’s Prize.
There were several light spots in the wind strength, but it was an easy start for the first race.
With a break for a warming cup of tea, sailors ventured out just before the sun dipped below the skyline, and they were appreciative of their extra layers and warming head gear. The wind eased as the race continued. Steve/Ruth again won the handicap race, with Mike/Kayla winning in the F15s.
Another cold night is in store for the campers, but they won’t have to endure the cold for quite so long as the clocks go forward by one hour tonight – don’t forget otherwise you’ll be an hour late for tomorrow morning’s race!
The stormy conditions that is!
For those that were getting a head start for the new season and taken their boats to the club, some boat covers are off and are not tied down.
Owners of boats may need to go down and check their boats, especially with the forecast of more strong winds for the weekend.
Of course, you could get prepared and go sailing!
It all starts Sunday.
You may have noticed that the sailing programme has been uploaded to DutyMan, and those with allocated duties will have received notification. This all leads to the start of the 2013 sailing season which is so nearly upon us.
There is a rigging and tuning day on Sat 23 March, and the first race on Sun 24 March. Handbooks will be winging there way to your doorsteps in the next few days.
Time to dust down the boat cover, take the boat out of storage, and get it ready for another season.
See you there!
The training that will be provided for new and existing members in 2013 will follow the RYA National Training schemes for adults and youths. Following our own review, and advice from the RYA, we will be providing courses that last for 10 weeks. They will include 3 or 4 weekends and will be interspaced by 7 Tues/Thurs evening �supported racing� sessions so that pupils put into practice what they have learned.
Youths starting training with no experience
-10 week course
-Start on Saturday 13 April
-Complete the first 3 RYA levels between April and late June.
-Complete Level 4 and Start Racing between late August and October.
We are aware that there are some youths who have already made progress through the RYA schemes. These pupils will be able to either complete the full course or join the course at their current level. They will be encouraged to attend all the Tuesday Evening �Supported Racing� sessions as this will lead into the Start Racing Course.
Adults starting with no experience
-10 week course
-Start on Saturday 6 April
-Complete the first 2 RYA Levels between April and mid June.
-Complete Level 4 and Start Racing between late August and October.
We hope to run a further two courses (subject to demand and instructor availability) starting on Saturday 1 June and Saturday 8 June. These courses would run until the 18 July.
It is recognised that sailors may miss a couple of the evening sessions due to holidays, etc. This isn�t a problem but we recommend attending all of the planned weekend sessions.
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Bass Sailing Club is always particularly interested in attracting new members and sailors. In order to actively promote the club and its training to prospective members it is proposed to hold a Club Open Weekend over the Easter Holiday with a �welcome desk� and taster sessions. Please come along and help out on the day in any way you can � a friendly face or a trip out in a boat with a competent sailor will go a long way to showcasing our great club. Please bring along any friends or work colleagues who may be interested in trying sailing � they can even bring their tent and camp on Saturday night for the usual charge if you want to show them the social side too.
Please respond ASAP to Neil Garrison ([email protected]) to express your interest, providing name(s), ages and any previous sailing experience / RYA certification.
Just a reminder that your help would be appreciated this weekend 9/10 March for the working parties to prepare the clubhouse and grounds for the new season.
10am start each day
Ethan Dawson came 4th at a Topper NW traveller yesterday at Chester Sailing Club. In a total of 22 boats, the three ahead of him were all national squad sailors
To all members and rescue boat crew
There is going to be training for the use of the defibrillator that we now own. The training will be conducted by Ralph Palmer of the Northwest Ambulance Service, it will be held on Saturday 16 March at 10am in the club house and is expected to take 3 hours.
I would like as many people to come as possible and you don’t need to have an up-to date first aid, so if you can come, please let me know by email to peter.ballard2@ntlworld .com by 7 March please.
Many thanks
Peter Ballard
Safety Officer