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Saturday Club Reports 2010
Around the Horn...
Wow wee uncharted territory for the clubbers this week with 23 sailors enjoying almost perfect conditions for beginners and improvers, sun shine, light winds, and a lake full of Oppies and Toppers as a result of the junior open meeting taking place. What a lovely sight.
Thank you Nigel Beasley for setting the full Saturday club fleet a real challenge – all the way to the far end of the lake, back across and behind the island and then landing on the Trent side and having a good run around. A partially intact goose egg was soon discovered as were a family (not geese) having a swim – it must have been a pleasant surprise for them to have 20 odd clubbers hove into view in their sleep inlet! Tricky conditions meant that the sailors had to reach across the wind, beat into the wind, reach back across the wind and run in front of te wind back to the club. Everyone made it back and didn’t get tangled up with the racing fleet – well done to all.
Thank you to everyone who fetched, carried, pushed, pulled, drove, lifted, towed, mopped up, tended to, and generally helped the sailors have a good day.
A note on putting away: many hands make light work and getting the sailors to take part in that is very important so they realise there are no elves who secretly put the boats away, and they do a great job in that. I have been very gently and nicely reminded by the training team that for the toppers it would be a great help if we could make sure that (it will all make sense on Saturday when faced with the kit):
The foils (rudder and dagger board) and bung are removed.
The kicker is unclipped from the mast, (the clip staying with the kicker) and the mainsheet unclipped from the horse(the clip staying on the sheet).
Then the sail is rolled around the mast and once furled it is held in place by the Kicker.
The doglead clip on the mainsheet is hooked onto the jaws of the boom, and the end of the sheet brought back to the middle of the boom where it is fastened round both boom and outhaul.
If this is done it leaves only four things to be stored in the cage for each boat:
1. The mast, rolled up sail and kicker.
2. The boom, outhaul and mainsheet (all lashed together).
3. The foils
4. and the bung.
On 29th May it is the club regatta weekend and we are running club as normal, just a little reminder that it you want to join any of the other activities you need to book now, or it will be too late.
The forecast is for a moderate wind (10mph) from the south, overcast, so please make sure the sailors are appropriately dressed for the conditions.
Once again safety is our key priority and normal club rules for lake use apply, but if you have any observations, suggestions or comments on this key aspect please shout up to either myself or the duty beach master. On that subject can I remind you that pulling boats in and out of the water counts as being “on the lake” so please wear you buoyancy aids, if nothing else it sets a good example for the sailors
.…. and they’re off !
What a great start to the season, warm sunshine, light winds, 25 sailors from 4-14 all out on the water, sailing the Oppies and Toppers, a Tera and even an RS Feva (with a big purple spinnaker).
This week the sailors concentrated in the first session on rigging and sailing a “reach” wind over the side of the boat between two marker buoys, and tacking round the ends. In the second session the Topper group went on a follow my leader around the lake with many of them carrying out ship to ship transfers from the Toppers to the Feva to share the experience around of sailing a two person boat – more of which next week we hope. Judging by the smiles and laughter on their return they all had a great time getting back into boats for the new season.
The Oppies went off to cow (juno) beach, landed by pulling up dagger boards and rudders, ran round the tree (as a herd of cows approached) and then re-rigged and sailed to the middle of the lake and back to shore for a rather wet Oppie tug of war.
A big thank you to the safety boat crews, shore squad and everyone else who made light work of the rigging, putting away and all of the other duties from hot chocolate preparation to loo runs.
We were honoured by the presence of club Commodore (John) and Lady Commodore (Kim) who came along to show their support for the Saturday Club which was very much appreciated (say it quietly but I noticed some “VPP’s” or very proud parent moments on Saturday showing how much everyone enjoys helping the sailors).
We were reminded about the Regatta at the end of May and encouraged to get involved as there will be races, treasure hunts etc… for the children to enjoy, tickets from behind the bar and details on the club website.
During the sailing common sense was on full display with some of the younger children being accompanied by their parents on their fist outings. I would ask parents to let the duty Beachmaster for the week or myself know if they have any concerns about any activities, as we operate under the normal club rules of safety and don’t want any of the sailors to be put off by being asked to do anything they are uncomfortable with or to feel they have to go further than they are reasonably capable of. Don’t feel constrained in that as we are all just trying to promote sailing to younger members for their enjoyment.
I will send out the rota for this Saturday later in the week, and rotate the beachmaster and driver duties as normal.
Thanks again to all
Report 8th May:
Brrrrrr! Shame !
Thank you to everyone who turned out on Saturday – the wind was strong (black gust patches zooming across the water) and 6 degC, and as we want everyone to enjoy themselves we had coffee and bacon butties and went home.
The duty list for this week will go out on Wednesday evening, Nigel Beasley has offered to be Beachmaster, and can I ask for 2 Safety Drivers to volunteer please?
The forecast is great for the weekend, light winds and sunshine, so no rain dances this week please.
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Los Piratos (Spring regatta)
Combining with the regatta made for an interesting Saturday Club for the 15 sailors, in the first session the sailors took to the water, braving the rain and had a really good sailing back and forth across the lake to mark 7, on a reach, and back across to mark 1 outside the club. There were lots of people at the club, and hopefully they got a feel for what Saturday Club is all about. We certainly got more advice than normal – all welcome of course (don’t be so sensitive!).
In the second session George Stanton very kindly set the sailors an onshore, offshore challenge, with an orienteering course around the dinghy park and following a tow out to Snake Island the sailors found a treasure chest which contained a clue – find Russ Clay say the words “Black Beard” and get a prize – everyone at the club knows Russ, everyone that is except for all of the Saturday Club sailors – but a mystery man was spotted heading into the changing rooms with an eye patch, beard and water pistol. He was soon rounded up and handed over the booty… in the form of chocolate. Well done and thanks to George and Russ for playing along.
It was noted that some of the clubbers had stayed down for the weekend, well done to them, it must have been a really good night on Friday, a very early start on Saturday, or perhaps both, judging by the state of some of the parents.
Thank you to everyone for your efforts at the weekend.
ON SATURDAY 5TH JUNE THERE IS NO CLUB AS THE WINDSURFER OPEN IS ON.
Back at it on 12th.
Have a good ½ term.
Simon
15 Cows
What a difference a week makes, 7 little days, moving from freezing to beautiful...
A great turn-out of 24 sailors enjoyed a perfect start to the session with light winds from the North West, lots of Oppies, lots of Toppers, the Tera and the RS Feva all enjoying themselves.
After an early snack and drink break that followed an unhelpful squall (too much wind) the intrepid sailors split up with the Oppies heading for cow beach and good practise in landing and launching, and a record cow count of 15, the highest of the season so far; and the rest racing around a triangle course – using tacking (turning into the wind), running (in front of the wind), gybing (turning in front of the wind), and reaching across the wind. Apparently one of the Toppers was being sailed by “Jait” – or as we better know them James and Tait.
A big thank you to Nigel as Beachmaster this week and to everyone who lifted, carried, launched, recovered, re-assured and tended to the sailors.
A small reminder that the Regatta is on the bank holiday weekend – Saturday Club will continue as normal, and if you would like to come down for the entertainment, stay down for longer or join in then please see the club website for details.
(16/5/10)
some photos from 12th June (13/6/10)
Around the bend…
Well what a super morning, lots of new sailors this week and lots of parents out in boats to make sure that everyone got afloat. A real cooperative effort was needed to get the sailors well clear of the RIB (safety boat) challenge run by the RYA and Club – well done to last years special helper Sam Wheelhouse for winning that! A push, pull, tug and tow to get everyone all the way along the foreshore and upto the inlet where duty beachmaster Jason Clarke set everyone off for a sail between marks A and 2 in the first session. In the second session the Oppies had a raggle taggle race which made a great site from the shore well done to Gary and Tim; and the sailors who had done their RYA training moored up at Mark 2 and went through their capsize drills, thank you to Mark, Martin and of course “wet suit” Charlotte for being our capsize queen.
Thank you to everyone who helped out with putting all of the boats away so well at the end and for our patience at the start as we tried to sort everyone into groups to get them afloat – should be easier this week – but then we say that every week!
How brave? Very brave!
Who was it that gently pointed out as the sailors were rigging up that “we don’t normally send them out when there are white caps on the waves do we”?
Well we don’t – normally; so good point - but the strong winds and overcast conditions meant that numbers were down to 10 sailors this week, and with two safety boats manned up and plenty of shore help beachmaster Gary Williamson was able to get at least those who have done their RYA 1,2 or 3 out on to the water, albeit with reefed down Oppies - mast sprits left by the signing-on chair and not in the sails for session one! Well done to Tommy, Matty, Amy and Finn for having a go – sorry for shouting at you above the wind – but at least you won’t forget to sit forward, steer straight and pull the sail in!
While the more experienced sailors were getting to grips with the wind, the new and novice sailors enjoyed a session helped by Tom Levitt in rigging a Topper and then learning the joys of capsize drill – just as the improvers did the last time.
In the second session Amy, Finn and Matty went the whole hog and put in their sprits – this made a glorious site as they learnt how much faster they could sail by getting their weight half way along the boat, the sun came out and they sped backwards and forwards, even I allowed myself a VPP - very proud parent – moment, on behalf of Barry, Tim and Kerry and myself, as the sailors planed, tacked, jibed, nose dived and even leant out as they zoomed around the lake with no fear whatsoever – well done to them!! Our nerves may have been shattered, but this was a good week to let the sailors find out what sailing in a wind is all about – phew…
While the improvers were enjoying waves and wind we owe a big thanks to Barry who popped on his famous wetsuit and took all of the novice sailors out in turn for a sail – I don’t know who enjoyed it more, but Solly, George, Evania, and Edward certainly seemed in awe of his seamanship skills and one or two even said yes when Barry asked the question do you want to go faster?!? Thanks for that.
Well done to Gary for being the Beachmaster – and to Martin and Des for once again manning the safety boats and giving re-assurance and help to the sailors, and for all of the shore help.
The Coming Weeks
Saturday Club is now drawing to a close as we come to the end of June, we can keep going for a few more weeks if we choose to, taking us to mid July; and so I will be asking you to let me know if you are planning on coming down (conditions allowing) into the first two weeks of July as numbers tend to drop pretty rapidly and providing cover becomes more difficult. However, for now we carry on as normal. I was thinking that we should pick a week when the weather looks good and have a rumble around the lake, landing for a picnic instead of having a mid morning break – let me know if you have any whizzy ideas please.
Sailing / Safety Kit
A nag - we want to get everyone onto the water in accordance with the club rules for safety, this means as a minimum that the sailors need a well fitting buoyancy aid; soft footwear, and a wet suit; I know this can cost quite a lot, but it is worth it to make sure that we have happy, safe sailors. I find Watersport Warehouse on the internet very good, cheap and they deliver really quickly in 1-2 days; so a request to parents please – make sure the kids have the right kit. Also to parents, if you are helping by the waters edge or on the jetties, you need to be wearing a buoyancy aid too – it’s right that we show a good example to the kids and that we are all well equipped if a problem emerges.
some photos from 12th June (13/6/10) (more reports below)
‘mmm nice…. Costa del Hoveringham’
About time too, a gorgeous on-shore breeze and sun shine all around. Beachmaster Tim set a daring course all the way out to the middle of the lake safe in the knowledge that the sailors would only get blown back to shore if things did not work out. This week there was a fleet of Toppers as well as Oppies and a really cooperative spirit from all to get the sailors out and back safely; well done to Tim and Kerry, James, Martin, Kathryn, Richard and Andy for crewing the safety boats and providing plenty of encouragement to the sailors in the form of loud verbal communication.
In the second session Tim took a leaf out of the Enterprise Open meeting book and gathered the sailors in for a briefing – there was to be a race! Much re-assurance that this was a taking part sort of race, with only winners, was met with enthusiasm by the sailors as soon as he got to the point of telling them there would be sweets as prizes for all. The sailors set off for the start and then started and sailed one lap for the Oppies and two laps for the Toppers. Everyone seemed to claim a victory of some sorts, first Oppie single handed, first Oppie double handed, first Oppie with an adult, first Topper with a crew with an orange lifejacket reefed twice – you get the idea but really the point was to do something different and more importantly have fun. This was definitely achieved, inspite of a pollen induced hay fever epidemic.
Anyway everyone had a great time, and a big thank you to those who helped out.
Notice: A volunteer please?
Sue, Emily, Finn and I will be heading off to Holland in September with work, and not sure when we will be returning, but I suspect not for 2 or 3 years. This means that we need a person or persons to coordinate Saturday Club, and it is suggested that I ask for either a volunteer to run the club or just to pull together a meeting of Saturday Club parents and helpers in March or April next year. Running the club is actually very straightforward and given that we have had six different beachmaster’s already this year, and plenty of drivers, safety boat crews and lots of shore help then it really is not too onerous. The role is also very rewarding as there is nothing quite like helping and then watching the sailors conquer their fears and get afloat.
So – if anyone feels they would like to go the whole way and run the club then let me know, or if you are willing to run the meeting to decide how to run things in 2011 then again, please let me know.
Saturday Club report 3.7.10
what a site for sore eyes …
A gorgeous sunny day, as many toppers as we could find kit for, and a whole slew of Oppies. Richard Grundy as beach master set a daring down wind leg to goose poo island, going the “wrongwayround”, treacherous shallows claimed young and old sailors alike, the wise let the bold lead. A close fetch across the back of the island followed by a set of long beating tacks tested the younger sailors to the max, while some of the older sailors showed that they are ready for the Jr. Open Meeting by sailing back to the club with hardly any problems at all. The sight of two lesser spotted lady sailors buzzing the Oppies in Toppers to keep an eye on their charges was great to see – but who got back first – well done Louis & Solly!
In the second session “Jate & friend” demonstrated the finer points of capsize drill, while Mariella, Olivia & Anna, Charlotte & Kate, Emily & William and the other Topper sailors all zoomed around at high speed to do 2 laps of a large triangle course in a sort of race. Well done Mariella – 4 laps definitely counts as a win!
In the Oppies to quote young Mr. Grace “they all did very well!” J, a smaller triangle was set which tested all of the sailors fully – even the larger sailors weighing down the Oppies, who did a great job by jumping in to help.
Thank you to everyone for all of your efforts in helping to set up, launch and recover and put away at the end.
Duty Rota for 10.7.10 is as bottom the forecast is to be red hot – a good wind out of the South and Pauline has laid on the doughnuts – what more could we want?
Welcome Gary Williamson as new coordinator for 2011 season – Thank you Gary!
This week Gary will be beach master and I will show him the ropes (literally), he will be organising a meeting in April 2011 to set up the format for that year and to encourage help, support and ideas. Nothing changes in terms of the club pretty much running itself, and I would like to thank everyone for their hard work in encouraging so many young sailors onto the water. Emily, Finn and I will be twiddling our thumbs on Saturday’s next year!!
An Advert
On Saturday 17th July there will be a Junior Open Meeting at the Club – I am going to suggest that the more experienced sailors take part in some or all of this event – i.e. those who have done one of the club sailing courses or who are competent (you know what I mean – they can easily sail a triangle and understand the concept of time, as they will need to start a race promptly), I’ll get more details for next week’s report.
Sinking Oppies and Cows…
Well what a lovely morning, plenty of air and sunshine about – which is nice. The sailors enjoyed splendid sailing conditions and managed to get up the creek.
In the second session the Toppers sailed off around the lake following the Bonce and Martin in a safety boat, while the Oppies sailed a beat to Cow Beach, ran around the tree and sailed back again.
Then the fun began – the sailors learnt how to balance an Oppie with 10 of them in it and then they learnt how to sink the boat – repeatedly… laughing as they went down; when the Topper sailors came in they were desperate to join in and found out that it only took 7 of them to sink it and enjoyed the process just as much.
Duty Rota 17th July 2010.
Please let me know if you cannot do the duty as we need to make sure there is a beach master.
This is the last week of Saturday Club for 2010, as we are not going to be around this week – I want to say a few thank you’s.
First of all thank you to everyone who has helped out this year in any capacity, a big thank you to everyone who has stepped forward to crew the safety boats and act as beachmaster – the whole club only runs because you are willing to do that. I want to single out 2 people particularly though – firstly Martin Levitt who has helped out on safety almost all season and has been a really massive help; secondly to Grandpa Bonce who has similarly given up lots of time and energy.
This has been a brilliant season, with great weather nearly every week and dozens of sailors taking to the water.