It’s great to see so much going on at the club – most recently including the fabulous Tera inlands event pictured above (photo courtesy of Errol Edwards)which saw the lake covered with over 70 colourful Tera’s battling it out over two days. There lots more going on, details below:

Lake and cake/Ladies trophy Day Sat 11-Jul-26

There is training in the morning (10.45 rigged not changed) and a great chance to get a few tips and some last minute practice.

In the afternoon starting from 1.30 there will then be 3 short races followed by the prize giving and – did someone mention cake!

All female club members are invited to join the training g and /or racing but anyone who just wants a sail and cake as usual is just as welcome! Please bring your bake of choice and £1 for the tea. if you are a double handed boat you are allowed a male crew.

This is a relaxed, very friendly and enjoyable event and if you are thinking of having a go at racing then it’s a great way to start . We look forward to seeing you there.

Duties Update July 2026 from Mark Dinwoodie

Duty Roster open until end of Dec 2026

I will shortly be allocating duties for the second half of September and October.
For those of you who wish to choose your duty dates, the roster is now open until the end of December 2026.
Choosing your duty dates by volunteering through Dutyman means you can ensure that you have duties on dates that are convenient to you.
Current duty requirements are approximately 2 ½ to 3 duties per membership year (Proportionally less for members who join during the year)
Only club approved / qualified rescue helms and Race officers should volunteer for these roles.

Mark Dinwoodie
Duties Secretary
duties@chewvalleysailing.org.uk

Fun Thursdays Start

The Police Group are running four FUN Thursdays, the first was last week and I am told very successful.

The next 3 are on Thursday 16-Jul-26, Thursday 30-Jul-26 and the final one on Thursday 13-Aug-26.

Everyone is welcome, we will provide safety cover from 2pm, about 6pm we will have a few short FUN races followed by a BBQ on the patio. All we need is numbers for the bbq with any dietary needs or bring your own and we will incinerate it for you. No fixed prices all we ask is a donation to cover costs and the bar will be open, we need to be off the water one hour before sunset.

Numbers for bbq by the Tuesday lunchtime please to jeffstratford@btinternet.com

Training Opportunities.

RYA PB2 powerboat course Saturday 18-Jul-26 and Saturday 25-Jul-26 still £40 and the basic requirement to helm club powered craft, spaces still available.

Advanced RescueHelm Safety Course Saturday 15-Aug-26 this is the follow on from the PB2and is free.

RYA PB2 powerboat course Saturday 22-Aug-26 and Saturday 29-Aug-26 places available.

We also offer refresher courses, introduction sessions for new members or people who have got qualifications elsewhere, any questions please ask, to book please do so through your Webcollect account. Chief-powerboat-instructor@chewvalleysailing.org.uk

Shout Out For Assistance With The Pay & Play Scheme From Dave Orme

Our Pay & Play scheme is always popular with people who see us out on the water and want to find out more about the fun we’re having. The summer weather – and particularly this summer – has resulted in noticeably more interest. As is usual about this time of year, there is now a waiting list of people asking for a session during the weekend days in August.

The scheme is normally kept rolling by the very small number of volunteers who offer to take people out for taster sessions much like our recent Discover Sailing Day. But given the small number of volunteers who’ve been helping this year and the current length of the waiting list it’s pretty clear that this year we’re not going to cope.

Unless, of course, we get a few more offers of help in August.
Would you consider – even as a one-off – taking someone out for a taster session for a couple of hours at a convenient time for you in August? P&P sessions are NOT training, nor are they billed as “sailing lessons”; no instruction is offered or expected. It’s just a chance to get people interested in the club and the sport. You can claim £45 for each P&P session delivered.

I can give you more info if you’re willing to consider this, email me at payandplay@chewvalleysailing.org.uk
Dave Orme

Sailing Area

Bristol water will shortly be remarking the permitted sailing area with the placement of yellow bouys periodically along the perimeter over the next week or so. The placement will align precisely with the permitted sailing area set out in the club lease’

Please ensure you are familiar with the permitted area, shown below for reference, with the likely position of the yellow perimeter markers indicated. We will in due course be updating the club lake plans shown in the clubhouse and on the website etc where, over the years, I think there have been a small number of minor inconsistencies that have crept in.

Falmouth 2026 by Patrick Slade

16 members from the club enjoyed a great time at Falmouth recently sailing in fresh westerly winds and exploring the extensive choice of day trips there. Full details of the adventure can be read in the accompanying article linked here (if for any reason the link doesn’t work please try copying the following into your browser? : https://mcusercontent.com/285ebe14dcc76238e68bc014f/files/0895193f-9fcf-0e6a-4e34-cb70f945ff4c/Falmouth_2026.pdf

We are planning to repeat the trip next year and have places available for anyone that may want to come along – we can guarantee it’s great fun and a fantastic way to travel and see the area so would welcome new joiners, but you do need to express an interest now please so that we can book accommodations and place deposits etc.

If you are interested please do contact me here asap to find out more

That’s a Wrap – Family Regatta 2026

Many thanks to the 19 brave people pictured above who helped prepare the Island for the family Regatta treasure hunt. (David Johnson arrived just after the photograph so is missing, sorry David!). The Island was made safe, nettles bashed and pontoon constructed by 1130. Thank you everyone.

On the Saturday we had more pirates and people sailing over than ever for what might be our last treasure hunt on the island. Thanks on the day to Hugh and Jackie Whatley, Roger Lowrey and Alan Coventry ferrymen, Steve Ashford and Andy Allen dory ferry. Angus Penrice and daughter Denny Patrol and Nigel Braybrooke Island safety. A great day thank you.

Discover Racing 2026

The Discover Racing (formally “Start Racing”) sessions came to a conclusion on 2nd July.
Over 5 successive Thursday evenings we covered a range of topics in a relaxed environment to give a bit of a “leg-up” to anyone keen to get involved in club racing.

Topics included

  • How racing is organised at Chew and starting procedures
  • Starting techniques/practice
  • Getting the most speed on each leg of course
  • Mark roundings
  • Rules
  • Boat setup for the conditions.

Each session involved a short briefing onshore then about an hour on the water followed by the chance for further chat/discussion afterwards.
About a dozen different sailors joined in at one stage or another and all the advice given was well-received.

A final regatta and BBQ marked the end and thanks to the Police section for hosting this in conjunction with the 1st “Fun Thursday”.
A good turnout and perfect weather made for some close racing with everyone successfully completing a series of 3 short races and demonstrating all the skills picked up.
Well done to all who took part. The top three places went to:

1/ Rich Danbury (Aero)
2/ Camilla and Jake (SeaStar)
3/ Rob Clarke (Laser)

The regatta was also open to other Chew members (not doing Discover Sailing) and congratulations to Jonathon Pendle in his Topper for winning overall and a well-earned cholate bar!

Nick, Helen, James and Andy

Andy Jones
Commodore