Wishing members and visitors, old and new, a very happy New Year and best wishes for the 2020 sailing season!

Following the annual prize giving dinner dance at The Castle Inn, here are the various winners with their prizes. Photos courtesy of Stephen Kirkpatrick

The 68th Annual General Meeting held in the Clubhouse on Sunday 1st December 2019

Members agreed the following subscriptions for 2020

Ordinary – £188 increasing from 1st April to £208
Family – £91 increasing from 1st April to £102
Senior £132 increasing from 1st April to £147
Junior – £46 increasing from 1st April to £51
Affiliated – £96 increasing from 1st April to £107
Affiliated Family – £51 increasing from 1st April to £56
Country – £96 increasing from 1st April to £107

Bank Holiday Camping – Tents £22/weekend (£18 if paid in advance by Webcollect)  (£44/season)
Bank Holiday Camping – Caravans/CamperVans £30/weekend (£25 if paid in advance by Webcollect) (£60/season)

Naomi Smith was re-elected as Commodore along with the following members on to Council.

Commodore – Naomi Smith
Vice-Commodore – Jon Denwood
Secretary – Pauline Nicholson
Treasurer – Mike Cave
Sailing Secretary – Phil Smith
Rear Commodore –Robin Dawson
Asst Sailing Secretary – Alastair Duncan
Bar – Mike Hunter
Boats & Buoys – Alex Leonard
Galley – Claire Duncan
Grounds & Jetties – Mark Somerville
House – Alan Jones
Membership – Lezli-Ann Pearson
PRO – Mik Chappell
Training – Anthony Woodyer
Safety – Paul/Emily Clark
Social – Joanna Van Lachterop

Fleet Captains
Flying 15 – Simon Longstaff
GP14 – Mike Fairlamb
Mirror – Mik Chappell
Handicap – Izzy Hunter
Laser – Neil Garrison

Peter Whipp suggested Sunday races in October be run back to back and bar to be open after racing. Rick Peteki gave an update on proposed footpath which has been delayed so nothing to talk about.

The meeting closed at 2.30pm

Saturday was wet and windless, though a light breeze did fill in, there was no enthusiasm to race, so racing was cancelled for the day.

Sunday morning’s attendees all reported wind at Bothel, Keswick, Cockermouth, but there was little sign of any at the club! Various zephyrs came and went, but racing did get underway by noon. The light breeze proved to be very shifty on the ‘compact’ course aimed at keeping the fleet in whatever wind there was.

After lunch the wind strengthened, and without the sun, it felt so much colder, but, at least, the sailors were kept more active to give them a chance at keeping warmer.

Dave/Lynn won both races with Tony 2nd in the morning race (which proved to be more than enough for him), and Mike/Eric 2nd in the afternoon.

Latest results

Don’t forget to book your tickets for the annual dinner by Wednesday 23rd October to benefit from the early bird discounted ticket price.

It is with great sadness that we have learned that Ian MacPherson died peacefully this morning (17 October) after a long illness. Ian has been a long standing member of the club having sailed in the Laser and F15 fleets.

Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this sad time.

Ian’s funeral is to be held at 13.30 on Monday 28 October at Carlisle Crematorium, followed by a reception at Dalston Victory Hall. If you are likely to attend the reception please let us, or Tim Chittenden, know by Wednesday evening so that the family can plan catering arrangements.

A fair number of potential competitors turned up at the Club with the intention of racing but rapidly changed their minds when they saw what foul winds Bass’ micro-climate had delivered. These included Ian & Tim, Paul & Vicky and Hon treasurer to name but a few.  AJ / Sue said maybe but opted out when their Geep nearly blew over with only the jib up! Paul G’s Radial went one better by taking off and turning over on the slipway.

So we had three boats in the pre-start area for Race 1.  This was reduced to two when the kicking strap on Hugh’s Vareo came adrift.  It left the two Pauls – Gannon & Clark – to take the start in their Radials. PG had a capsize on the beat but, as PC took what he described as an Asymmetric course on the next leg, the return to the finish was close with PC nosing it by 8 seconds.  Yes, it was only 1 lap!

Both helms fancied (?) a second race.  PC took an early lead which extended when PG had a number of further capsizes.  To his credit he continued to the finish, and on being asked after how he felt, said he urgently needed a bag of chips.  Hey ho!

Latest Results
Latest Results for Sunday racing

A reasonably calm evening with a Westerly wind.  Jenny chose 9-8-A and 12 boats lined up for the start. It had to happen in the final outing and we had an individual recall as Nigel & Glenys were ocs.

Mark’s 400 with Cameron as crew led after the short windward leg but the helm was keeping an eye on Matthew so he wasn’t really racing. It was, therefore, Rory’s Solo who effectively led from Joan & Jack and Alan & Sue in their GPs.  Then came Paul with a Radial rig.

After several laps the light was fading fast so it was decided to finish John’s Pico on three.  Crews then returned to the Clubhouse where Barbara had a meal prepared for all.

Latest results

Yet another No Show.  Again wild south westerly gusts were to blame. A few turned up but no one wanted to launch.  The OD didn’t even bother to hoist flags – just told all it was off!

Fantastic day today at the club. As a prelude to the long bank holiday weekend, 16 young sailors took part in Race Training with Curtis Mearns from the RYA. A further 16 youngsters enjoyed “Sail and Splash” with fun and games on the water.

Photos of the onshore “decision making” games with Curtis.

The forecast said Gusting 40.  It wasn’t that extreme but heavy nevertheless.  The OD said there would be a race if members wanted one but the trouble was that people could not make up their minds! Except a couple of newer members who were advised that launching was, perhaps, not a good idea.  So eventually N over A was hoisted.