BUSINESS N A M E Mainsheet

INSIDE THIS I S S U E : Rupes Ramblings 1 APRIL 2009

Alex Mills Barton 2 Rupes Ramblings... update

Development 3 With the season now started busy. Please tell your some new young members. Fleet with some fantastic weather, friends and neighbours Cadet training will be all looks set for a great about us, and try to underway shortly. summers . Jane and persuade them to come Clive have settled in to the along. The usual trial sails Again, thanks to everyone AGM 4/ new galley, kicking off with a will be available at who put in the hard work Nomination 5 very enjoyable Commission- Piddinghoe and Newhaven over the winter. Time to put Form ing Supper. Thanks are due on Saturday. the tools down for a while to the dedicated band of now and get some sailing Training News 6 workers who have been We have some new done. Rupert meeting every Wednesday members on the Sailing night through the winter to Committee this year, with get the modifications done in Charles Humphries as time for the new season, as Laser fleet captain, Tom Bill Giles Article 7 well as all the normal repairs Taylor as Development Advertisements and maintenance that were fleet captain and Lawrence needed. Both work party Venus as Recorder. The weekends also got a lot of Laser fleet has made a Open Day 8 jobs done at both sites. great start to the season, Thanks to everyone who with fleet racing from the came along to help. first race. Lawrence has a table of results for series The Open Day this year has racing at the clubhouse extended to an Open and being regularly pub- Weekend, with Newhaven lished on the web, so we DATES FOR YOUR and Piddinghoe open on the can all see how we’re D I A R Y Saturday and the Seaford getting on and who is the Clubhouse open to visitors one to beat our fleet. • Open Day on Sunday while our normal racing is going on. Help Training is underway at 18th/19th April would be most welcome on Piddinghoe, with ‘On- We’re on the both days to ‘meet and Board’ training sessions Web! • AGM 2nd May @ greet’ visitors, or just going running for local schools, 19.30pm for a sail to make the place which should produce

• Topper Open 4th July GALLEY NEWS

• Laser open 5/6th September JUST TO SAY ....

JANE AND CLIVE WILL BE AT THE GALLEY EVERY SUNDAY AND EVERY BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY COME RAIN OR SHINE WHATEVER THE WEATHER! PAGE 2

IT`S A TOUGH LIFE Catch up on the latest news about Alex MillsBarton…. Its been a good couple of years for the NSSC cadet and 2008 was going to be no exception the 16 year old sailor had a couple of nice surprises in store receiving a nomination for the Sussex Sports awards and an RYA & and an invitation, as one of Team GBR`s most promising young sailors, to attend the National Talent Orientation Camp at Loughborough University in January. The camp is aimed at giving the cream of the countries top young talent from sailing and other Olympic sports an insight into what it takes to become an Olympic medallist and get advice and guidance from a host of senior, Olympic and European Champions past and present, and led by Dame Kelly Holmes. The 2008 season kicked off early for Alex, the Stokes Bay qualifier saw all of the UK`s top laser sailors in action as they attempt to grab one of the 10 places on offer for the senior European Championships in Belgium. Alex finished a creditable 16th in a windy event, a broken tiller extension in race 2 costing him a top 10 finish at the event. On to Pwllheli for the RYA National Youth Championships, after 4 days of racing Alex was one of 7 sailors separated by 5 points going into the last day, all had a chance to win.Unfortunately it was not to be, overnight leader Stuart Godwin kept his cool and posted 2 bullets to win the event and book his place to represent Great Britain at the ISAF World Youth Championships in Denmark. The Youth Championships saw Alex post his first race win in in a major competition finishing in joint 5th overall and securing his place in the RYA National Youth Squad for another season. From the Youths in Pwllheli and onto Weymouth and then back to Pwllheli for the next 2 qualifiers a 17th & a 33rd saw him move up to 19th in the UK ladders. His ladder position proved enough to get him a wild card into the Senior European Championships in Belgium an unexpected bonus after a fluky 2 race qualifier in Weymouth had seen him post his worst ever UK laser result. In July Seaford Head College honoured Alex at an awards evening with their Sports Performer of the Year Award and a week later he was recognised as a potential 2012 contender by the British Olympic Commitee as a Silver Passport holder the higher rank of Gold only being given to the competitors traveling to Beijing. After a strong result at the Kiel Olympic regatta in Germany Alex went onto the Senior Europeans in Niewpoort, Belgium as the events youngest competitor at only 16 and determined to enjoy what would be the highlight of his season. After arriving in Niewpoort for the event Alex and a small group of sailors went out for a pre-event training session he came back in with a grin as big as the Blackwall Tunnell, in the group were World Champion Tom Slingsby and our new Olympic Gold Medallist from Beijing. With only a couple of exceptions the best in the World used the Europeans as a last warm up before Beijing, the event itself was in a different league to anything Alex had sailed in before, BMW 4x4`s ferried competitors from car park to club and back, the event even had a full colour brochure including profiles and information on all the sailors competing.

He had an excellent regatta finishing 74th out of the 160 strong field with several individual race results in the top ten against truly World class professional sailors. The event was eventually won by Slingsby with Goodison finishing 2nd would you believe. From Belgium and onto the Youth Europeans in France before returning for the Nationals in Abersoch, a virus, a GCE field trip and a 17th birthday just prior to both events saw him lose concentration and produce a couple of mediocre performances.

After a couple of weeks rest and no sailing Alex returned to form at the Lowestoft Qualifier with a 12th his high- est finish of the season in a senior event, Weymouth next for the UK`s premier international event, attracting most of Europes top laser sailors. A terrible first day saw him languishing at the back of the 60 strong field but 3 top ten results on the last 2 days saw him pull up to 22nd finishing the event as the top youth sailor. The Autumn qualifiers saw the NSSC sailor finish 17th in the UK senior ladder and his excellent European results elevated him into a prestigeous TS Squad place and an invitation to train with full Olympic Squad. The year wasn`t over yet and Alex saved the best for last sailing into the Medal Race at the Palamos Olympic Regatta to finish 9th overall and beating several of his Olympic Squad piers and many top European sailors, roll on 2009!

Development Fleet Boats on The Sea – The Best Anti-depressant Therapy for Credit Crunch Doom and Gloom?

NSSC has the Fireball, Laser, Topper and Squib fleets, but we also have plenty of members with boats of other classes who are not frightened of being different (The Development Fleet). With all the credit crunch doom and gloom, it would be nice to see more of them joining us out on the sea for a few hours of fun and fresh air. I hope this might encourage them. Even if they can only manage the occasional Sunday and Wednesday evening, it’s very good for the soul. Anyone who might be apprehensive about moving from Piddinghoe to Seaford might like to bear in mind that:-

lots of help and advice will be given with launching, landing etc. - if its asked for; if you’re worried about shingle scratching your shiny bottom, make sure you let everyone know and you’re likely to be lifted in and out; a rescue boat is likely to be on hand whenever there’s racing going on; boats with proper buoyancy float on water regardless of whether the water is flat or rough; surfers tell us that waves only break close to shore where depth is less than 1.3 times wave height - so its commonly possible to push a boat out past any surf before hopping on; you’re bound to look forward to good food and drink afterwards.

Free sailing outside the racing course is fine – but so is entering and just following a race around the buoys. The more competitive will probably argue that single class racing is the best sort of sailing. Eve- ryone wishes them well when they disappear off to their class events. I am writing, however, to suggest that doing really well in a development fleet boat – in our handicap races - requires more interesting skills and can be competitive whilst also being fun and sociable. The development fleet boats all perform very differently in differing wind strengths - so there’s also an element of luck and the results each week are not so easy to predict. To me, it seems more fun when the fastest VMG courses for different boats are in very different direc- tions! (It might have seemed as if Buzz Lightyear was crossing your bow whilst heading “to infinity and beyond”, but it might have been the “proper course”!) Likewise when boats have very different top speeds, acceleration rates and rig sizes, crossing the start line in perfect position with clear air and at full speed is not so easy. Whilst those who consistently do everything right pick up the cups, there’s a certain safe feeling in a development fleet - where its unlikely to be so obvious if you’re doing things wrong (unless you win the capsizing prize)! In a handicap race, there’s probably more overtaking and with the new 3 boat length zone, there’ll be a little more congestion at mark roundings. Our races never seem overcrowded but deciding whether to try and get an inside overlap, slow down, or go around the outside of a slow boat can require good judgement – and boats that are moving “obstructions” can be used tactically. Covering the slower boat you’re lapping might be a better strategy than dueling with a faster one. Whether you’re passing or being lapped, you’ll have more of a chance to have friendly close encounters (and banter) with more of the fleet. With all the latest advances in dinghy design there will always be friendly banter about what boat design is best – or most suited to Seaford. We have great variety at the club – from an 18’ skiff to the simplest home built mirror. If you think your development fleet boat suits Seaford best, how about writing a few words about its design & history for Mainsheet? I started sailing in the days when most people seemed to sail 2 man plywood boats. (I often feel that the sport lost something when the Toppers and Lasers became so fashionable). There was a lot of sanding, painting & varnishing and there’s no disputing that a plywood 2 man boat can still win races today! You can have a lot of fun sailing any boat and handicap racing is not just about being the first across finish line. There are lots of people who have never lived their dream of sailing round the world simply because they got bogged down with trying to decide on what boat and equipment they’d need. The important thing is to just to get on the water – no matter what you’re in – nor where you’re going - any boat will do! A pen- sioner friend made a boat out of varnished papier mache and had a lot of fun getting it all the way down the Thames - for charity (he’s now worrying his daughter with ideas of a channel crossing). Obviously such escapades should only be tried with a safety boat on hand etc. and I’m not suggesting that everyone should follow Ed’s example and pop over to France on their windsurfer. But there is more to sailing than being an Olympic or Class Champion. So for those of you who have apprehensions about sailing a “different” boat - or who think good sailing can only be found by sailing one of the most popular boats in single class races, I would like to leave you with one thought. I expect young Syd McClean thought sailing his Optimist and jointly winning the NSSC 2009 Elford Numbumb winter series was pretty good – against all those older (and wetter) more experienced sailors. He even beat Alan Simmons who usually walks away with the trophy when he sails with us! P A G E 4

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Members of The Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club Limited (the "Company") will be held at the Registered Office on

Saturday 2 nd May, 2009 at 19.30 hours Business

1. Apologies for absence

1. Minutes of the AGM held on 5 th April, 2008

1. Receive and adopt the Company Directors' Report and Financial Statement for Year Ending 31 st December, 2008.

1. Election of the Company's Board of Directors and Officers of the Club

1. Election of Auditors

1. Open Forum (followed by Buffet)

Dated this 1 st April, 2009 Jim Skinner, Secretary

Notes

1. A Member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and on a poll to vote in the members place. Such proxy need not be a member of the company;

1. Nomination Forms for any Director post are enclosed with this notice. All nominations, duly proposed and sec- onded by full sailing members of the company must be received by the Secretary by the 24 th April and the nomi- nations will then be displayed on the results board at the Company's Registered Office on 25 th April, 2009 and left displayed until the AGM;

1. Proxy Forms are enclosed with this notice;

1. Extra copies of the proxy and nomination form will be available at both club-houses on the Notice Boards or from the Secretary;

The Open Forum is an opportunity for Members to raise matters with the Directors. Whilst we will try to give full and frank answers on the day, it would be helpful if details of questions could be given to the Secretary at least 72 hours prior to the AGM (left in the Pigeon hole in the Clubhouse or by letter or email).

A company limited by guarantee and registered in England Registered No:1290424 Affiliated to The Royal Yachting Association

MAINSHEET APRIL 2009 P A G E 5

Nomination Form

I, ______Membership No. ______PROPOSE

______FOR THE POSITION OF______

SECONDED BY ______Membership No. ______

I, ______Membership No. ______agree to stand for election to the above mentioned post

PROPOSER : ______DATE : ______

SECONDER : ______DATE : ______

NOMINEE : ______DATE : ______

------The Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club Limited

Form of Appointment of a Proxy

I, ______Membership No. ______being a

Family, Single or Senior "sailing" adult member of The Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club Limited, hereby appoint

______of______(address)

______as my proxy to vote for me and on my behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on Saturday, 2nd , 2009 and at any adjournment thereof.

______(Signature) (Date)

A company limited by guarantee and registered in England Registered No:1290424 Affiliated to The Royal Yachting Association PAGE 6 NEWHAVEN AND SEAFORD SAILINGCLUB Principal Andrew Barns For general enquiries please contact me on [email protected] For full details of course, dates and prices please see the front page of the website at www.nssc.org.uk and click the Adult Training link to the brochure and training calendar. Beginners Dinghy Training Welcome Level 1 and 2 We will be starting the beginners level 1 and 2.On comple- I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get out of tion of this 5 day course it will enable you to sail a boat hibernation and back on the water. The winter seems to have safely in light winds taken along time to disappear and now we have had a week of sunshine. Dates of the course Course 1 Increasing Safety 24 th April 6.30 until 9.00pm 25 th April 9.00 until 4.30pm When using the powerboats please remember to always 26 th April 9.00 until 4.30pm wear the kill cord and if there is not one, do not use the 8th May 6.30 until 9.00pm engine. Please report this to myself or Paddy Turner. 9th May 9.00 until 4.30pm

10 th May 9.00 until 4.30pm At all times when afloat, a buoyancy aid must be worn Cost £210 non members £180 members and on cadet nights all helpers at the waters edge and all cadets must wear a buoyancy aid Course 2 Saturday 13 th June 9.00 until 4.30pm th Cadets Saturday 20 June 9.00 until 4.30pm Saturday 27th June 9.00 until 4.30pm I would like to thank the cadets that came to Piddinghoe on Saturday 4 th July 9.00 until 4.30pm Saturday 4 th April to help sort out the Toppers and then they Saturday 11 th July 9.00 until 4.30pm went for a glorious sail in a light breeze and sunshine. Cost £210 non members £180 members For the successful running of Monday night Cadets we will require all parents to volunteer to help open up and put away Refresher Training the boats, for the galley, safety boat drivers and helpers. We are offering a one day refresher course at Piddinghoe All parents are to be present on every Monday. and they will be run on the same days as the adult training Nearer the time a cadet newsletter will go to all the parents. courses above. The cost is £40.00per day

Dates for the Diary Windsurfing Monday 20 th April 6.00pm- 700pm Youth and Adult windsurfing course will start on the 10 th At Piddinghoe May(when the water is a bit warmer!) at Piddinghoe. Health and safety briefing, and introduction to Monday night Please book these courses with John Cook on wind- cadets. [email protected] All cadets and parents to attend except for those that are The cost of these course start at £35.00 and are modu- doing Topper training. lar. Wednesday 29 th April 5.30pm to Powerboat Training 7.30pm Throughout the Spring and Summer the Powerboat level 2 At Piddinghoe course will be run under the instruction of Paddy Turner. Health and Safety briefing and introduction to Topper Train- The first course will be ing Wednesday 13th May start time 6.30pm(theory) All cadets and Parents to attend th th Saturday 16 May start time 9.00am Wednesday 6 May 5.30pm to Saturday 23 rd May start time 9.00am 7.30pm For further details please contact Paddy Turner on At Piddinghoe [email protected] Topper Theory All cadets to attend Keelboat Sailing Monday 11 th May 5.15pm to Learn to sail in a Squib from Newhaven Marina For further details contact Ralf on 5.30pm [email protected]

MAINSHEET APRIL 2009 Drysuit Repairs Part II P A G E 7

Previously in Mainsheet we have looked at minor repairs to dry suits and now we can turn to replacing cuffs, collars and feet. A replacement of one of these is usually brought about by the deterioration of the neoprene and holes or splits. Once the material starts to weaken repairs are a waste of time. I have shied away from replacing zips as that is a job best left to the professionals – although it is possible to buy the zips and to do it yourself. You can of course get the professionals to do the replacements of a pair of cuffs or feet or a neck seal which each will set you back about £40, plus P&P for the suit to and from the repairer. However, you can buy a whole suit lot of seals and the glue for about £40. In addition of course a home repair is completed within a couple of hours whereas sending the suit away means that you are without it for a few days.

IMPORTANT – DO NOT DELAY HAVING A NECK SEAL REPAIRED – WATER LEAKING THROUGH A NECK SEAL CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES WHEN IN THE WATER.

Again for the repair you need a small bottle of meths, dry cloth (lint free) or kitchen roll, Bostik impact adhesive, emery paper, talc, duct tape and a pair of sharp scissors.

In general, professionals will completely remove the old seal but this can be tricky and it is better when you are doing the job yourself to simply cut of the old seal and leave the strip of neoprene where it is glued to the fabric of the suit. Once you have done this raid the kitchen cupboards and find a polythene bottle which will neatly fit the hole of the leg or sleeve of the suit, for a neck seal a plastic bucket is ideal. This will become a former for the new seal and the suit to marry up under moderate tension.

With a short piece of former sticking out of the suit (which is probably inside out so that the strip of old seal is exposed) place the new seal over the former so that the seal overlaps where you intend to place the glue. The overlap should be about 12mm (or half an inch in old money). MAKE SURE that the new seal or foot is facing the RIGHT WAY. You may find that the foot part is too long – compare the new foot with the existing one and consider if you would like it longer or shorter. Trim the new feet part to the desired length. (Don’t throw the trimmings away as they make good patches.)

Now roll back the new seal until the edge of the old seal on the suit and the rolled edge of the new are in line all round the leg, arm or neck of the suit. Check that the rolled back edge is the same width (about 12mm) all round. Wipe the area for the join on both suit and new seal with meths or Bostik solvent to degrease it, rough the area with emery paper then wipe with meths again – do not touch the area again with fingers.

Carefully coat both sides of the join with Bostik so there is a thin layer on each. Bostik suggests two layers but this is really for heavy duty stuff and I have never bothered. Wait until the adhesive is touch-dry and then carefully roll the seal into place. Remember it will ‘grab’ if you accidentally put it in the wrong place. When the join is in place carefully rub it down so that it adheres all over. There may be some adhesive showing outside of the area of the patch. Rub this with talc to make sure that it does not stick to anything else. Turn the suit right way and ensure that the edges of the new seal look secure and are rubbed well down.

As with other repairs a stitch in time saves nine. While you have all your repair kit to hand examine the suit all over and look for any lifting taped seams or other incipient damage and repair it right away. If you can, keep the bucket or what- ever you used as a former for use next time.A final reminder, keep your suit dry, cool and in the dark when not in use and treat the seals with talc after every use. Bill Giles

Two Mirror Dinghies for sale; one is a project complete with a sheet of marine ply the second is presently at Piddinghoe pond and is usable but needs tidying. Two launching trolleys - one folding, the other heavy duty and in need of attention. Several sets of sails and two complete rigs. Sell as a job lot, £175. Contact Andy mob 07817041852

We have spent time looking for the above items at Piddinghoe— they used to be kept in a sailbag in the lock up store and are no longer there - this is my last ditch attempt to find them! They consist of a boom, main mast and radial mast that are all clipped together by a triangular frame. The bag was originally made by Yvonne Teubert, and was labelled - although our name and phone number was fading. please can anyone help? Have you seen them or do you know where they may be………...if you have any info please contact me on 01273 842127 many thanks Jane Holter