This week�s Night Jar was held in ideal sailing conditions with blue skies, warmth and a F2 NW wind. Twenty four boats signed on and the number would have been higher had not the majority of the Topper Fleet been away on school trips.

The OD set a compact figure of eight course 0-9-B-A. With a long start line and port end bias, there were many crews vying for space at the outer end but no one was over at the start signal. The GP�s of Mike Fairlamb / Eric Smith, Dave & Lynn Lawson, and Alan Jones / Sue Watson got away well as did Joan & Jack Hardie in their RS200 and Jim Christie�s Surpernova.

With lap times of around eleven minutes for the lead boats and a gap opening after the first group, Dave, Joan, Mike and Jim were let through for a fourth lap. With the wind strength appearing to drop, the course was then shortened and AJ and Neil in his Laser felt this would benefit them as the first lead competitors to finish.

But then the wind filled in again and Joan beat Dave to the line in an extremely close strategic contest at the completion of their fourth lap.

Another excellent meal greeted competitors once they had packed their boats away, although it was such a lovely evening that some were reluctant to retreat to the clubhouse.

Latest results FH PH

Longer standing members will be sad to learn of the recent passing of former F15 sailor Jim Sampson who was a member in the 1980s & 90s

Jim’s funeral is to be held at 2.30pm on Wednesday 16 July in Wetheral Church. Our thoughts are with his wife Pat and family.

For kids of aged 9 or over we have three x one-week/5 day Start Sailing
courses (RYA stage 1 and 2) running 9.00 to 17.00 on the following dates,
Monday-Friday:-
a) 21 to 25 July
b) 28 July to 1 August
c) 11 August to 15 August

Then a short week and following Monday, 19 to 22 August plus Monday 25 August.

Each of these one week courses will feed into the Autumn Better Sailing course which start on Sat 23/Sun 24 August and run through September.

For non-members the cost of the one week course, and the Better sailing
course will be �100. For existing members the cost of the course and Better sailing Course will be �60

We also have an adult course RYA Level 1 to Level 3. due to start next week.

Tuesday 8 July 6.00 till 9.00 Introduction
Sat /Sun 12/13 July 9.00 till 5.00pm
Tues 15 July 6.00 till 9.00pm
Sat/Sun 19/20 July 9.00 till 5.00pm
Tues 22 July 6.00 till 9.00pm
Sat/Sun 26/27 July 9.00 till 5.00pm
Mon 28 July
Tues 29 July.

Course fee is membership fee plus �50 boat hire and �10 for books.

While Chris and Julie headed south to spend the day in Wimbledon No 1 court, and were delighted that the forecast rain held off, as well as witnessing the surprise defeat of No 1 seed Serena Williams, club racing comprised a weekend championship series, in bright but cool airs.

The shifting wind made course setting challenging, but a cunning plan was devised to cater for more shifts while still maintaining a second beat. While some of the fleets expressed their disappointment (ie whinged!) at enduring a JC style fetch, others did have to beat on each of the windward legs.

The wind was light for the first lap, but picked up again for the rest of the race. Challenging conditions led to various place changes and some close racing not that the consistency in the results particularly show this.

The wind swung to the north for the 2nd race, but half way through it swung to the east and eased again, providing testing conditions and more close racing.

After two races there is a strong overnight with two 1sts for Graham/Elaine in the F15s, Mike/Eric in the GPs, and Pam in the Mirrors/Toppers. In the handicap fleet the position is somewhat closer with Ian, Scumper, Jim and Robbie D all on five points!

While Sazzle got to grips with her newly acquired Laser, Gary was getting his first taste of helming in a F15 with Kayla. Well done to both of you, and we look forward to seeing you both on the water again in the near future.

Sunday’s weather was very similar to Saturday’s, a light and variable easterly wind with numerous holes. Simon ditched his regular crew in the flying fifteens and took Kaylas out and despite missing Y/Z he corrected himself and won from Ian and Lel. Val and Ken also missed Y/Z and retired in the GP14s leaving victory for Mike/Eric from Alan and Sue. Ian Hall continued his good form and won he handicap race from Robin and Phil. Commodore Andy and daughter Lily won the Mirror race from Mik who managed to hold off Pam. During the lunch break the Bates was taken off the water for its long overdue refurbishments and the fleet took to the water for race 4 in even lighter conditions. Graham and Elaine won the flying fifteen race and the series, Mike and Eric made it a double for the Fairlamb family winning the GP14 race and series. Pam was back to winning ways in the Mirrors also claiming the series and Mark and Phil won the handicap race from Ian whose second place clinched the series. The wind died away to nothing and the sailors voted with their feet and came ashore rather than sail a 5th race, the race officer duly abandoned it and the wind picked up again.

Final results

With Bass Week just a month away it’s time to hunt out those coveted trophies that you deservedly won last year, give them a polish, and return to the club in plenty of time for presentation to this year’s winners (hopefully you’ll be there to defend your position!)

You can bring them with you, but there’s often not enough room in the car by the time you’ve packed your kitchen sink…

Thank you in anticipation, we look forward to seeing you back again this year

You may well be asking yourself what is this all about, well read on. The Club Council is aware that Club Members are regularly invaded by visiting fleets who want to host events at our beautiful Sailing Club. This brings a lot of benefits but also requires a great commitment from members and can restrict our own racing. A decision was made to hold a weekend for members when Camping and Caravanning would be available and was a bit of a deviation from our usual Racing Programme with the emphasis on “FUN”.

Those who were present for the Queens Diamond Jubilee Weekend in 2012 will remember the Topper Events we had which involved a Le Mans style running start, followed by a team race with helms changing over at the end of the jetty. As well as being great fun for competitors, it provided fantastic entertainment for those on shore, needless to say it was chaotic. As part of the fun weekend, on Saturday we intend to have a rerun of this event in the Club Toppers, together with more conventional Team Racing. This will be followed by a rounders match between teams captained by the Commodore and Vice Commodore, Tug of War, Games Night and a BBQ.

On Sunday we will be holding a more conventional race for all members in whatever boat you choose. This race will be run on Fleet Handicap in memory of Pete Ballard who sadly passed away earlier this year. Pete as well as being our Safety Officer was extremely active in all aspect of the running of the Club, always willing to help out whether it be felling trees and other ground works, training, teaching members children to climb trees safely and a whole host of other things. Pete also played a leading part in the Topper event, capsizing other teams boats, removing and even breaking rudders as well as editing the video which was taken of the chaos and is available on the website. A small contribution will be requested from all competitors which will be donated to the Samaritans, a charity Pete was actively involved with.

The programme for the weekend will be flexible, dependent upon weather conditions, but I would encourage all members to come along and take part. The emphasis is on getting together as members and enjoying ourselves. I would particularly like to see our Thursday Night Sailors who make the Night Jar so successful coming along, we have had 45 different boats racing so far which is fantastic.

Come and join in and have some “FUN”

Jon Denwood
Sailing Secretary