At the 71st Annual General Meeting held online on Sunday 4th December 2022 the following members were elected on to Council.

Commodore – Ian and Andrea Preston
Vice-Commodore – Joe Roberts
Secretary – Claire Duncan
Treasurer – Mike Cave
Sailing Secretary – John Reekie
Rear Commodore – Jon Denwood
Asst Sailing Secretary – Dave Lawson
Bar – Lucy Thomas & Sarah Hodgkins
Boats & Buoys – Alex Leonard
Galley – Judith Corry
Grounds & Jetties – Mark Somerville
House – Paul Gannon
Membership – Liz Stockdale
PRO – Paul Allen
Training – Anthony Woodyer
Safety – Shaun Lewis
Social – Olivia Leonard

Fleet Captains
Flying 15 – Ian Preston
GP14 – Vicki Bowmer
Mirror – Naomi Smith
Handicap – Vacant
Laser – Paul Gannon
Tera – Matthew Somerville

Jon Denwood thanked outgoing members of council for all their support and help during his time in office, with special mention for Phil and Naomi Smith, as well as Dave and Pauline Nicholson.

As part of the AGM, Andy Smith gave a presentation on the considerations and efforts of the slipway refurbishment sub-committee, and clarified the options that have been considered and put forward to council, identifying key milestones that will need to be met for the scheme, in whatever form it may take, to progress.

Treasurer Mike Cave then explained some of the background to the need to change the status of the Club to help secure potential grants. Further investigation is required to determine the most appropriate option before coming back to the membership for approval at a future general meeting.

Members were encouraged to support the Club’s nomination as Club of the Year 2023 by voting using the link onn the website.

We are delighted to be a finalist in club of the year awards for 2023. If you’ve enjoyed your visits to Bassenthwaite Sailing Club, we would be equally delighted if you, and your family, would vote for us by clicking above.

Every vote counts. Thank you!

The weather was kind enough for the final day’s racing of the season.

Seven boats took to the water. There were mixed results over the two races but, overall, Alex in a Laser had a 2nd and a 3rd to create a three way tie on points with Phil/Oscar and Neil. The tiebreak resulted in Alex winning the Winter Series, with Phil/Oscar 2nd who won the series on a personal handicap basis.

Final results

Next Sunday the AGM will be held in the clubhouse. Papers have been circulated to all members.

Despite the forecast of strong gusts, and plenty of white horses to be seen in the SE wind, four helms turned up keen to have a race.

A shore based start was all that was required to get racing underway, and release the OD for some additional rescue cover!

There were various capsizes, not at the gybe mark, but all recovered to continue racing.

The wind eased between races but picked up by the end of the second race.

It’s surprising what effect sunshine and mild weather have on sailors’ desire to race!

Latest results

Further to recent rain, the Environment Agency are expecting Derwentwater to peak at midnight tonight which normally means Bass will peak midnight tomorrow (Wednesday). We can therefore expect Bass to rise quite a bit more tomorrow. There are 7 dinghies on the berths by the bottom path below the clubhouse. They are dry right now but will be at risk of floating by tomorrow evening.

Also, there are still a lot of boats in the compound where they were moved for Bass Week. These boats are probably at greater risk of floating into river.

Please consider how to protect your boat by moving it to higher ground, preferably in the morning.

It is with sadness that we have learned of the death of Beth Dawson, mother of past commodore Robin.

Beth passed away yesterday at home with Robin by her side. She went peacefully and without pain.

She wasn’t able to come down this year due to illness but some of the old guard will remember her coming to the Club with her late husband John who was an active member for many years, both on and off the water.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Robin, his siblings, and families at this sad time.

Sally and family would like to let everyone know that Peg Mellor sadly passed away very peacefully early on Sunday morning aged 102.

She and her late husband Jim joined the club in the 1960’s. They enjoyed sailing their GP14 and Flying Fifteen and presented the Mellor Mug in 1976.

Peg and Jim introduced Sally to sailing when she was a young girl and they were very proud that she and her children continue to enjoy Bassenthwaite Sailing Club. Peg often asked to pass on her best wishes to those she knew and missed at the club.

October has arrived, together with the aftermath of the stateside tropical storms which was probably the reason for the lack of keen participants, so the start of the October Saturday series will have to wait another week.

The winds had eased for Sunday racing, and 15 boats took to the water.

There were no capsizes but Abby fell out of her Tera! Oscar sailed well in his Tera Sport holding off the Pros for the first lap but slipped back, regaining a place on the final beat.

Dave/Lynn in a GP led the rest of the fleet holding off Banter/Rory in their RS200.

After lunch the fleet was somewhat reduced. The gusts enabled good planing conditions, but tight reaches proved challenging as the whether, or how long, kites should be flown.

Val/Ken lead on fleet handicap, followed by Graduates of Mike/Jack, and Chris/Chloe, but on personal handicap, Oscar leads, with Archie 2nd , and Val/Ken 3rd

Latest results

This year’s Great North Asymmetric Challenge boasted a fleet of more than 70 boats. The day started in bright sunshine with a wind swinging between NNW and WNW causing the OD some frustrations when setting the line.

The wind wasn’t expected to be very strong but when the gusts came through there was good planing conditions, and a few capsizes!

The wind continued to freshen throughout the afternoon.

The fast handicap fleet were, generally, a bit too eager at the starts resulting in a few UFDs. However, by race 4 it was time to bring out the black flag. Everyone was much more cautious thereafter!

After four races, sailors were ready to enjoy fish and chips before dancing the night away to live music.

The sun was hidden behind the clouds on Sunday, and the wind was generally lighter, but the large swings in direction continued!

Keen to keep the racing programme moving, the OD reintroduced the black flag after the first general recall.

The wind shifts proved challenging and there were many position changes as a result

Unfortunately the wind died at the end of race 8 so the race was abandoned.

Final results NB Separate RS400 and RS200 results are shown on same page as overall results

The Tinker Class are visiting Bass again and are being blessed with champagne sailing conditions- a southerly F3-4

Club racing is a handicap for all classes for the Tinker Trophy, with a good mix of 11 boats while some sailors are taking part in the Great North run.

There may have been low numbers sailing but there seemed to be plenty of occurrences that sailors may rather forget!

• AJ sailed the wrong course
• Ian trawled his kite (twice), and Lezliann was close to falling off the bow
• Ken celebrated another birthday
• Evie’s cap blew off just before the finish, but dad Chris was determined to finish before going back to retrieve it! (Fortunately he won the race on handicap with a minute to spare)

Chris/Evie led the fleet across the finish line in both of Sunday’s races, securing a 1st and 3rd. The lighter conditions after lunch suited the GPs, with Val/Ken 1st and AJ/Sue 2nd, a position that, in conjunction with his Saturday results, earned him the Tinker Trophy, with Ian/Lezliann 2nd.

Final results