Three boats from the club ventured to Looe in Cornwall to take parts in the GP14 Worlds. All three came away with fantastic results after eight races in challenging conditions. In a fleet of 127 boats, Phil Hodgkins, crewing in his parents’ boat with Adam Parry, finished 11th, Dave and Lynn Lawson 25th and Andy/Rob Smith 27th.

Well done!

During this weekend’s GP Open there was a three way challenge between Alan/Sue, Alastair/Claire and Katharine/Glenys where the leading boat at the end of the Meeting would be bought a bottle of champagne by the others. Well, as tweeted on the day, Alan/Sue won and proudly collected their prize, and promptly shared it with the challengers to a rousing toast of “Bottoms up”

It is with sadness that we have learnt that long standing member Chris Denwood has tragically been killed in a motorcycle accident.

Chris joined the club with his family over 40 years ago and was an avid GP and Laser sailor in his time. Although he left to tour the world and then work in London, he came back to the area a few years ago and rejoined as a member and bought another Laser, but his passion for sailing had passed him by.

Chris’ father was Mike Denwood, and his brother is Trustee Jon Denwood. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Chris’ funeral was held in Distington Crematorium on Monday 30 July, and afterwards at Hundith Hill Hotel, Nr Cockermouth.

If you have been worrying about the well being of your much beloved craft, please rest assured that all boats have now been moved to safety. The water has now risen (13.00 Saturday) to cover all of the foreshore to a depth of a foot or so at the shallowest part (by the steps down from the clubhouse). More rain is forecast overnight but no boats are now in any immediate danger. Inevitably not all boats can be tied down in their temporary positions and it would be prudent to check that your boat is secured when you can.

Our warmest thanks go to all those, including the the rescue crew Chris, Scott and James, who worked all morning waist deep in water, to bring all boats to safety.

The Horse May Have Bolted…

The massive rapid rise in water levels has caught out several boats, which have been moved, but any help to move further boats to higher ground would be appreciated, especially as it is possible that the lake could continue to rise.

You can see below how rapidly it has risen.

For those that have not read the Twitter feed, Mik Chappell has been in hospital over the weekend after landing badly on his ankle jumping from his cruiser to the pontoon.

A three hour operation, some pins and plates later, and he was cheerful, if sore, as he spoke with Commodore Stephen Kirkpatrick.

He is being transferred to Wigton Cottage Hospital (Thursday 3 May) for a few more days and would welcome any visitors in hospital, or when he returns home.

Mik will have restricted mobility for some weeks until his bones heal and we wish him a speedy recovery..

It is with sadness that we have learnt of the death of long standing member Jimmy Currie after a long illness.

Although not an active sailor, he helped in the background for many years.

Our thoughts are with his wife Isobel, son and daughter Neil and Liz, and their families.

The funeral was held at Crosthwaite Church, Keswick.