Saturday Club End of Term Report 2009.

We kind of fizzled out in a blur of high wind on our last Club date, so I just wanted to formally close out the 2009 Saturday Club season with a few stats… and some thank you’s.

Over the 10 weeks that we were able to sail we averaged a turnout of 14 sailors and peaked at 25, ages ranged from 2 (light wind Oppie crews) to 15, we had 5 windy weeks, it only rained on us 1 time, the maximum temperature was 25deg C, and the strongest wind sailed in was 20 knots (not for long!).

Between them the sailors managed to get to marker buoys 1, 2, 9, & 10, sailed 6 types of boat, went round the island 1 time (even the 7 yr olds), did capsize drill 2 times, sank 1 oppie (13 assorted sailors in case you’re interested) enjoyed 1 Le Mans start to 1 sort-of-race, drifted into the Flying 15 jetty bushes 1 time, left the bungs out of the Oppies more than 1 time, counted 26 cows at cow beach, sailed with someone of the same name 2 times, broke only 1 centreboard, had 1 Ian the Bosun join the club temporarily, and consumed 100’s of bacon butties, donuts, muffins, plates of chips and Crunchie bars.

6 different beachmasters managed to hold their nerve - we had 20 assorted safety boat crews, plenty of beach help, 2 special foredeck capsize executives (Sam & Barry), and while predictably there were a few tears and fears, most importantly there were numerous smiling faces.

So a good season and a big thank you to everyone for mucking in to get the sailors out onto the water and back in safely afterwards as they say many hands make light work!

With best regards, Simon

Saturday Club report 30th May 2009.

Phew what a scorcher!

An on shore wind of 5-10 knots, 23 deg C, and a virtually cloudless sky – welcomed the Saturday Clubbers to the Turk ”ish” resort of Hov Ringom.

Andy Norris, in his stint as beach master oversaw almost perfect conditions, the novice sailors had more than enough wind to experiment with and the more experienced sailors enjoyed getting the most out of their Oppies and Toppers.  Tom, Charlotte & Emily even though reefed three times, saw some speedy sailing in the gusts in the first session and in the second session were joined by two more Toppers who took part in a capsize drill show, well done to Solomon for keeping going, and 5.9 out of 6 for the Norris girls for their graceful high speed beach front capsize which prompted one of the beach group to swim out and help – was that you Martin…?

The improvers had perfect conditions to really enjoy their Oppies and learn about beating (tacking close to the wind to go “up” (into) the wind at an angle with the sails in), Kate, Archie and Matthew really seemed to be getting going well.    

It was great to see a new gaggle of 7 and unders settling in to helming Oppies and learning that when they are moving they are great, when they stall they are not great, Tommy, James, Amy and Finn found this out for themselves; and I think we might have seen a few proud parent moments!  This was particularly good, as all of this lot missed out two weeks before when the winds were too strong to let them loose safely.

For the first time this season, we had two of the Clubbers sail their equivalent of the North face of the Eiger by beating all the way to Mark 9, rounding it several times in different directions before running dead before the wind (sails out at 90 degrees and wind fully behind) all the way back for lunch.  Next year the Topper Event maybe for them – which did look to be a great success from where we stood.

Well done to Andy and all of the parents, helpers, friends and families, and thank you to all for lifting, launching, catching, shepherding and recovering sailors and boats…

 

 

Saturday Report for 2nd May 2009:

GREAT!

We got off to a good start with a nice calm 2-5 knot wind from the West, and a really pleasant warm day.

As this was the first session of the year and with a nice day and a good turn out, it took a little longer than normal to get going, but we did get 24 sailors on the water, with absolute beginners paired up with more experienced helms.  We even managed quite by accident to have two Amy’s and two Finn’s with each other in respective boats, which helped with coaching!

The first session allowed the sailors to get used to the conditions and the boats, and they went on a run (sails out / wind behind) to the marker buoys, where they reached (sails half in / wind across the boat) back and forth, before beating (sails in) and tacking (zig-zagging close to the wind) back to the club for well earned refreshments.

In the second session the wind dropped off, but we split the groups to allow follow my leader for the more experienced sailors, and coaching for those in the Oppies.

Well done to all for getting out there.   

Thank you to all of the on shore helpers and particularly Sam, Richard, Chris, Tim and Nigel for manning the safety boats

Please note that I was correctly reminded last week that anyone launching and collecting boats on the beach area should be wearing a buoyancy aid – two reasons for this, firstly because it is a club rule that anyone taking to the water should be wearing one (this also means standing in the water), and secondly to set a good example for the sailors.

Thanks.Simon