Grand Parade Of Sail

On Sunday September 3rd at 12 noon, another chance to celebrate 50 years of sailing at Chew Valley Lake. The plan is to get as many boats on the water as possible to sail past the Commodore and invited guests (including past Commodores and founder members). All types of sailors and boats are invited; boats dressed with bunting and flags if possible.

There will be two short briefings:

  • 10:00 for those taking part in the Age Trophies race in the morning. The parade of sail will follow straight after the race.
  • 11:30 for those sailing in the parade only.

AND in the afternoon – there is a pursuit race for the fabulous new Anniversary Trophy.

Sailing Report – Helen Martin, Vice Commodore

Wednesdays have been quiet as the holiday season kicks in, please remember there is safety cover from 10 – 2 only, unless a group of sailors plan to organise their own safety cover in the afternoon (2 boats launched, at least one fully crewed, helm + crew).

Last Sunday brought an unexpected south westerly in the morning which the rain killed just at the start of the race. With fishermen to dodge and the tiniest of zephyrs it was a bit of a lottery up to mark 8. Thankfully a gentle breeze set in making the rest of the Admiral’s Chase race much more enjoyable. In the afternoon RO Simon Chapman set a triangle sausage course from the committee boat as the wind increased and went to the forecast west, typically gusty and shifty.

And gusty and shifty was the theme for Wednesday evening too, with some huge “slammers”. Although challenging it was a welcome change from the drifters of the last 3 weeks. RO Julian Cooke set an interesting course including 2 beats, some great planing reaches and a wobbly run (although – was it just me and my little sail – it always seemed that the wind dropped on the down wind legs?) Only 3 more of the series to go.