Sailing Club News 03-Nov-22

Sailing News – November 2022

Welcome to this months news, a bumper edition with lots thats happened, and lots to come…and don’t miss details below of our Annual Dinner and pizza nights

Slipways

Improving our slipways has been on the committee’s to do list for a while now. As the photo above shows, the laser slip in particular is in a treacherous state.

I am pleased to be able to report that our Vice Commodore has the bit between his teeth on this project and all things being well work will start on the laser slipway on Monday 7th November to clear the debris in the area and taper off the drop on the edges, making for safer and easier launching when the water level rises. The slip may be out of action for a short while while this work is underway but, dependant on the weather, we hope it should be fully operational with minimal delay.

Once this is complete our attention will turn to our other slipways.

Returning soon – Pizza Nights (plus)

Antonia’s popular winter pizza nights will be returning soon – more details, dates etc will follow. As we can’t play on the water we are also keen to organise some social activities around these nights, quizzes, talks, themed evenings etc.

If you have a thought about an activity and, even better, would like to run something on one of these evenings please get in touch with me directly

Save the Date – Annual Dinner Saturday 26-Nov-22

This year the Sailing Committee are incorporating the usual Prize Giving evening with a wider club night in the form of a club Annual Dinner (expectations are high that we’ll at least do this again next year!).

Fear not, there will be a small selection of awards and prizes handed out on the night, but this will be smaller scale than in previous years and accompanied by a range of other entertainment, hopefully including a table quiz, bar games, the usual wonderful meal from Antonia’s Deli and of course the bar will be opened up.

We’re hoping a wide range of members and partners will be able to join us for a relaxed atmosphere and a bit of fun to warm up for the Christmas festivities in December. Mark your diaries for the evening of Saturday 26th November, there will be another communication in a couple of weeks with a booking link!

First Aid Course

RYA first aid course run by a RYA Instructor, required by Instructors recommended for everyone. It’s a full day with lots of practical exercises. You get the RYA first aid manual and certificate valid for three years.

Saturday 10-Dec-22 09:30 to 16:30 12 places available at time of submission.

Please book via your Webcollect account, we have held the price for these two courses at £25 next year there will be a price increase.

Any questions please ask by email jeffstratford@btinternet.com.

Duty roles – volunteers needed

There are a few upcoming gaps in our duty roister that need filling please. Please contact Tom if you are able to help, or you can volunteer onto a day directly via dutyman

Sunday 13-Nov-22  ARO
Sunday 06-Nov-22 OOD and Rescue Helm
Saturday 19-Nov-22 Rescue Crew

Green Blue University Sustainability Challenge

Last year, the University of Bath Sailing members took part in the Green Blue University Sustainability Challenge, achieving the Gold award for the second consecutive year. Due to the clubs dedication to the award, the University of Bath Sailing Club is this year able to advance to the prestigious Platinum award. Its aim is to encourage members to be aware of the delicate environment in which they sail and inspire them to act as advocates for sustainability in their local boating communities. Examples of the challenge criteria is to help improve sustainability at the host club through actions derived from an environmental checklist and to organise a joint club litter pick later in the year – we will let you know when this is being planned but in the meantime are keen to support Bath University in the initiative.

On the road

Even with the coming of Autumn plenty of the club’s members have been on their travels at events around the country and abroad.

Rob Higgins demonstrates backward sailing skills (note the streaming tell tale) on his way to winning the RS700 Inlands.
Photo: Errol Edwards

In the ILCA fleet Ed Baker and Oliver Allen-Wilcox continued their presence at the major events in the ILCA7 and ILCA6 fleet respectively for the Qualifier at Weymouth. Oliver finishing 7^th overall in the ILCA6 fleet.
Ollie Houseman attended another two events in his Merlin at Hampton and Ranelagh.
Dylan Pritchett sailed a Topper in the South West Traveller at Brixham
The symmetric spinnaker boat travels furthered through

• Derian and Andy Scott finishing 7^th at the Fireball Inlands at Draycote Water;
• Tom Jeffcoate attended the same Draycote weekend at the 505 Open with Mark Hogan;
• Ian Cadwallader jumped out of the front of a Flying Fifteen to steer a Scorpion with Ellie Devereux to 5^th place at the Notts County Scorpion Open; and
• Josh Preater crewed for Andy Bones in the Belgian Flying Fifteen Championships, finishing 2^nd overall.

On the asymmetric side:

below: Start at the RS100 Inlands, and 11/700 competitors at the event 
Photos: Errol Edwards

• Ed Harris sailed with Maddie Harris at the RS200 Inlands at Grafham Water;
• Paul Croote sailed his Cherub with Andrew Whapshott to 2^nd place in the Fast Handicap fleet at the Allspars Final Fling at Plymouth
• The club held the RS100 Inlands, with 7 Chew boats competing. Andy Jones highest placed in 3^rd overall;
• This event was shared with the RS700 Inlands. Rob Higgins winning in a fleet containing 4 CVLSC boats;
• The following weekend the RS200s had a one day open at Chew with 8 home boats. Dave Sweet and Derian Scott highest placed in 7^th overall;

The RS200 fleet head off downwind at the recent Chew Open. Photo Damian Gardner Thorpe

• The RS400s also shared the day, with 4 Chew boats competing. Paul Smalley and Adam Broughton finished 2^nd overall.