DYC Magazine

Winter 2014

FUTURE EVENTS Woodbridge Mayor, GEOFF HOLDCROFT tells us Winter Walks:  Sat. 17th January what he values about the DYC Mel Ringer 01394 387041  Sat. 14th February Being the current Mayor of Woodbridge is a Tony Wilman 01394 great honour but I am equally as proud to be a 387173 member of the DYC.  Sat. 14th March David

Hayhow 01473 735739 Shortly after moving to Suffolk 30 years ago I  Thursday eve talks was introduced to by friends at BT and monthly - for soon afterwards bought a which I details see website sailed out of Waldringfield. After a couple of seasons I was tempted by a Jaguar 22, Snowdrop, and it was suggested that I also Inside this issue: join the DYC which I did in 1989. It was not a difficult choice to make as I was immediately Commodore’s Report 2 struck by the friendliness of the club, how all 3 the various age groups mixed well together as Club Captain's Bit well as the ‘can do’ attitude of all I met. 4 Training School Although not living in Woodbridge at that time I spent most weekends at 4 the club and quite a few evenings during the summer learning all the Safety Boats secrets of the Deben. After a few years sailing Snowdrop I was again tempted by my last yacht, Bumble, which saw me venturing further afield Class Captains’ Reports 5 either in the company of fellow DYC members or exploring on our own. 6 Alas I am now ‘boatless’ after selling Bumble last month; I am of course Junior Regatta looking for my next vessel and hopefully will be returning to the dinghy A ’s View sailing soon. 7 Bart’s Bash Like most members of the DYC I have contributed in the past to the Try Sailing Day running of the club in one capacity or 8 another; I edited the Handbook for a Long Serving Members number of years and for the past twelve or so years have been your Success for Euan and Cameron Harris 9 representative on the Woodbridge Regatta Committee and have been its Footnote from Simone Chairman for the past eight years. It is Changing Room 10 this sense of community spirit on Galley News which the club is firmly based that has Becoming a Harwich Pilot 11 seen the DYC endure over the years Geoff joined the DYC for our successful ‘Try Sailing Day ‘in and one that I hope will see it survive Laying Up Supper July. 12 and thrive long into its third century. Officers of the Club Page 2 DYC Magazine Commodore’s Report

We have had a really good Thanks must also go to Di club to Woodbridge and the year both on and off the water Cobb and the Galley Team for wider community. and achieved some notable continuing to provide excellent successes. food and drink to everybody The club is run by the who visits the club. members for the members and On the water, the number of it always amazes me how individuals sailing has In respect of the clubhouse, the much time people are willing to increased. There was an most important news from the contribute to ensure the excellent turnout for the RYA Committee is that we were smooth operation of the club. Push the Boat Out Day, our Try awarded an Inspired Facilities I’m afraid it is impossible to Sailing Day and Bart’s Bash. Sport England grant of £50,000 mention everybody who Our thanks to Pierre and Ruth plus £10,000 from Suffolk volunteers so I would like to Naudé for organising the Coastal District Council for the say a blanket thank you to all sailing calendar and events. improvement of the changing those on the committee and rooms and crow’s nest access. others who freely give their In addition the Lazy Sailing This will dramatically improve time to make the club such a events have continued to be this area of the club with good friendly and welcoming sailing extremely popular. Thanks to showers and larger changing centre. Dave Watson and all those facilities for all, including an involved in making those accessible changing room and evenings fun and enjoyable. toilet. The contractors begin The main plans for 2015 are: work on 24 November so the On behalf of all the members I new facilities will be ready for  Complete the changing would like to thank everybody the 2015 sailing season. room improvements who volunteers for Safety Boat  Promote the club both Team duties as without them Thanks to Roger McCombie internally and externally we would not be sailing. and all of those involved in the  Increase the number working party for their help in participating in racing, Our volunteer training team completing several of these leisure sailing and cruising continues to provide excellent and other important sailing and powerboat improvements and together coaching. Thanks to Steve with the regular maintenance Scholey, John Prevett, Tim work they carry out on the club Do let me know if you have any Game and Dave Sutherland for during the winter months. They suggestions about how we can all the hard work in ensuring meet every Tuesday morning if improve your sailing that the training is undertaken you would like to get involved. experience or club. in a safe and well organised manner. I am pleased to confirm that John Adams numbers of members is Commodore Congratulations to Jo Masters increasing and our efforts in and Seb Garfield on recently promoting the club as a great achieving their dinghy place to sail are paying instructor qualification and to dividends in getting more Jane Stone and John Prevett people on the water. One of on qualifying as powerboat our aims for this year was to instructors. improve our communication both within the club and One area where we do need externally. I would like to thank help is with Race Training. If Jane Bradburn for her hard you can help please contact work in producing interesting myself or John Prevett. newsletters and promoting the Page 3 DYC Magazine Club Captain’s Bit

With the 2014 sailing season now drawn to a close, an opportunity to reflect: Overall we’ve had a great season with one of the warmest, driest summers around for a long time. Racing turnouts have held up well with particularly good turnouts in the slow handicap fleet. Lazy Sailing has been spectacularly successful again this year with turnouts in the region of 60 sailors not uncommon. We have already purchased a 7th to help meet demand, and I’m looking for an 8th - please let me know if a suitable one is for sale. It has been great to see so many people involved, from both ends of the age spectrum. A further addition was the My usual plea at this time of “Round-the-Island in a year is to make sure that you This year saw the introduction Reasonably Priced Topper” look after your boats over the of two new events on the sailing challenge. Several times were winter – please take your sails calendar – the Junior Regatta. posted with John Adams home from the sheds (the mice Thanks to Jo Masters and claiming first blood for the will have them!) and, if your Elspeth Orme for organising the fastest time, and first name on boats are staying in the dinghy quiz, games and meal. See the new Topper Challenge park, make sure they are page 6. Trophy. There will be plenty of adequately secured to opportunity to challenge for the withstand the winter storms. fastest time in 2015 ! You will read elsewhere the Of course all this sailing could updates on the new changing not have happened so room project. We’ve waited successfully and safely without patiently for many years for the support of our OOD / AOOD this. It'll be great not having to volunteers, the galley teams trip over 15 kit bags on the way and - the ones who risk getting to a dribbling, lukewarm cold and wet – the Safety Boat shower! helms and crews, many of We also had the Topper and whom do not race themselves. Have a great Christmas and Feva series which proved New Year. popular with single-handers and My personal thanks on behalf of father-daughter teams alike all the dinghy sailors for their Pierre Naudé (you know who you are!) efforts in attending training, and Club Captain Trophies for this new series volunteering for duties. This were very kindly donated by year, a special award has gone John and Alison Davis and Jill to Martin James, who Wickson. Both events will be volunteered for the most safety repeated next year – so look boat duties. out for them. Winter 2014 Page 4 Training School

Building on a well-established We often approach club foundation and the status of members to encourage them to being a RYA Dinghy Training get involved in helping out with Centre in 2015, we plan to teaching others to sail and continue offering our many of them have gone on to Beginners’ and Intermediate achieve their RYA Assistant sail training courses in the new Instructor or even Dinghy year. The pattern is to hold Instructor qualification. There sessions for improvers straight are plans to introduce an after the Easter holiday before Assistant Instructor course at the beginners have their Over the last two years we have the club in the not too distant chance. Making such a prompt staged a Step-Up training future – watch out for further start to the sailing season session which has given club details. means that trainees will then be members the chance to try out in a prime position to benefit some more advanced skills Steve Scholey, Tim Game, from the rest of the DYC such as sailing with an Sally Pirkis & Jo Masters programme by taking part in asymmetric spinnaker or sailing race events and social activities rudderless. We are looking The Sail Training Team such as Lazy Sailing. forward to building on this. Safety Boats

Facilitating safety cover for role of providing safety cover varied sailing opportunities, in for the sailors in the club. We addition to racing, requires even have one young person opting more volunteers but it is next season to regularly proving to be very worthwhile to volunteer as part of Duke of the club. Edinburgh Award Scheme.

This year we were very pleased to gain three more powerboat We started the season in March instructors, so we were well with three refresher days for the placed to run the RYA Poweboat safety boat team members. It II course for 12 people this was more useful than most September and for 6 members years as we hadn’t been able to of the Deben Rowing Club in use the RIBs since the outboard November. motors were stolen in August 2013. We plan to continue with the A big thank you to all of you RYA Safety Boat course in who have been out in the RIBs We were pleased to see several 2015, for those who have some this season, some people on new faces, welcoming both experience on top of their PB2 many occasions. crew and members with helming qualification, plus at least one experience. Included were more PB2 course. David Sutherland several people whose children RYA Powerboat Training or partners were sailing – It is great to see club members, Centre Chief Instructor sometimes on the sail training both young and old, gain For Simone Sutherland’s courses or lazy and social experience and demonstrate capsize experience see sailing events. responsibility in the essential page 9. Winter 2014 Page 5 Class Captains’ Reports

FEVA CLASS FAST HANDICAP Having suffered from some old squash injuries that came back This year we have been trying 2014 has been another quiet to haunt me, I have returned to promote the Feva class at year for the Fast Handicap from the dark side, sold my Lazy Sailing by making both fleet. Bart’s Bash in September and reverted to another club boats available on the slip was the highlight of the years - trapezing is way. This resulted in some racing for me and with some much easier on the knees! young members having a go at favourable weather we saw a racing so we will continue to do good number of boats on the If you fancy having a go at this again next year. water. Special thanks must racing, just come along. I am also go to Pierre for organising normally at the club most Feva’s were the second the race. weekends, so if you need any biggest class in Regatta Week advice or tips I will help or find after the Toppers and there Perhaps next year we can someone who can. was once again some very persuade some of the Lasers, close racing with opportunities Visions, Streakers and Altos Wishing you all a Merry to swap tips and ideas for that have been gathering Christmas and a Happy New tuning the rig. mould in the dinghy park to join Year. in the fun! Alan Grant

I would like to thank Ed Adams YACHTIES for the various entertaining capsizes he has performed Another Season over, with whilst trying to tame his RS300 thoughts now turning to during the season. At the maintenance and getting ready recent Laying Up Supper he for next year. We have had was rewarded with the some exciting races in a good The Topper and Feva series in Poseidon trophy which had blow and some not so exciting August had 2 fleets, seniors been polished by the previous yet fun racing anyway. and juniors with Ed Adams recipient – namely me! This season it has been good to taking the Junior Trophy and have an extra yacht or two Ben Alexander with Rachael competing and I hope to see you Alexander taking the Senior on the start line next year. Trophy. If there is anyone else who would like to come and join in it The last class race of the year would be great to have more was the Feva and Streaker yachties out there enjoying the Open with 6 boats taking part fun and competition. Happy in a one day, 3 race series. Christmas to all. Once again there was some close racing amongst the fleet Matthew and Ian Thompson Darren Gee in a good wind down near the have had a good season in Tips. their RS Vision and I have had

some enjoyable tussles with Enjoy the winter break and look them in my old Streaker. Pierre forward to seeing you at the Naudé has been Mr Consistent Tune Up series in April ish! in his Streaker and John

Adams has again provided Jane Stone good competition throughout

the year. Page 6 DYC Magazine

Junior Regatta

The Junior Regatta kicked off the recyclable rubbish and much A Cadet’s View school summer holidays and sent fun was had racing them on the everyone off to a flying start. model yacht pond. Last year I was a new member Saturday 26th July saw sixteen 10 of the yacht club and I feel that -18 year olds afloat in various The evening barbeque brought it has hugely developed and including Toppers, families together. This was ably improved my sailing. I found Mirrors and Fevas. cooked and cleared away by the members extremely the cadets. supportive and I quickly got The weekend was open to back into sailing after taking members and non-members and Sunday saw much lighter winds my levels 1 and 2 the year aimed at novice and expert when only one race was held. before on the Orwell. racers alike - much like any other Prizes were awarded to; race at the club but without the 1st Ed Adams Without a boat of my own, big guys. 2nd George Barton friends recommended the 3rd Matt Thompson Lazy Sailing sessions as the The weather was sun/cloud with club Toppers are free for us to a SW3 on Saturday – perfect We are busy preparing for next use during these times. Lazy conditions for the 3 races. Pierre year’s Junior Regatta. If Sailing is a great opportunity Naudé briefed them all, checking anyone can help to organise for anybody to get out on the water, especially new or they knew the rules of racing and this with me or has any unsure sailors that don’t want explaining the very basics when interesting ideas please get in to race, or to improve skills, or necessary. It was an all-in touch. handicap race attended by a just as a fun social break. competent support crew. The Jo Masters After saving up for a Topper of races were kept short which my own, I started racing this suited the 2 new racers in the [email protected] season with the guidance of fleet. more experienced club

members. I found their help After packing boats away, fantastic, had lots of fun and everyone lunched on delicious the atmosphere was really food provided by our wonderful friendly. I joined in with regatta galley volunteers. Then started week not with any expectation the fun and games started with a of winning and was amazed to light-hearted quiz of marine- have won the junior cup! I based questions. have thoroughly enjoyed my

sailing filled year! The next challenge was scrap heap model boat building from Mia Gains

Winter 2014 Page 7

Bart’s Bash

including dragging one yacht off the mud. Most important, DYC raised £224”.

The national organisers of Bart’s Bash announced that over 30,000 participants around the world had taken to the water for the event, many for the first time which had raised over a quarter of a million pounds for charity.

This photo was voted best taken this year at the Laying Up

Supper.

Another exciting sailing year Pierre Naudé, Club Captain Race results for the club can culminated in ‘Bart’s Bash’ a reported: “A brilliant day's sailing be found in the Bart’s Bash st sailing race held on 21 enjoyed by all. 32 boats took part website: September in memory of as well as several others, Andrew Simpson, the Olympic including one windsurfer. There www.bartsbash.co.uk/results/ sailor who tragically died in a were a number of capsizes to club/8279 training accident in May 2013. keep the safety boats busy, Try Sailing Day

Over 85 visitors turned up to “Try Sailing” for free on Sunday 13th July at the club. They included the Mayor, Councillor Geoff Holdsworth, who has been a member of the club for some years and it was great to have his support.

The turnout surprised organisers as the weather was very unsettled with sunshine and showers, however no one seemed to be deterred by this.

Children and adults who had never sailed before, took the opportunity to give sailing a go and were rewarded with a certificate. The club aims to increase its membership and The above photo taken by Liz Adams looks forward to seeing many of was featured in the EADT. Thanks to Liz them sailing in 2015. and all those who took photos this year. Page 8 DYC Magazine Long Serving Members

‘postie’.” he became a member in the early 1990s having retired as a During his time with the Post Senior Education Officer with Office, Eddie became an Suffolk County Council. active Trade Unionist representing the needs of Eddie fondly remembers sailing young people at the Scottish with his wife Doreen in his Trades Union Congress and Bradwell 18 on outings down to gained an interest in Ramsholt, to the Rocks and spending time at the Orangery Members will know Eddie education. After studying opposite Kyson Point as guests Taylor as a long term DYC Community Education at of Bob and Pat Guthrie. stalwart – membership Moray House College, Edinburgh, he set up an secretary for 10 years and During Eddie’s 10 year tenure as outdoor centre at current Trustee of the club, but secretary many of the Garlochhead near how many people know how he developments of recent years Helensburgh which took got into sailing in first place. I were initiated including the children from local youth clubs visited Eddie to talk to him development of the working and borstals as part of his about his memories of the DYC party, the expansion of the duties with Dumbarton County and about his early experiences dinghy park, improvements to the Council. It was this which got of sailing. clubhouse and particularly Eddie involved with sailing at increasing opportunities for “I left school at 15 with no the nearby Helensburgh young people to sail through links qualification to assist my mother sailing club where he crewed with the Suffolk Water Sports who ran our little cook shop in with the Albacores Scottish Association. Aberdeen as my father had died champion, Neil McNichol. in the Second World War when Having watched the club grow I was 7 years old. I then went As his career in education and develop over the last 20 into the post office and progressed he was seconded years, Eddie says that the DYC delivered telegrams which was to Gordonston School when “Seems to have a natural ability great fun for 3 years. National Prince Charles was Head Boy to grow and to constantly renew Service followed at the end of and ended up as Honorary itself.” Much of that is due to the which, I was offered a Secretary of West of Scotland talents that volunteers like Eddie commission but my mother was Outward-Bound Association. bring to it. dead against it, so I returned to Eddie brought all this experience into the DYC when the post office and became a Jane Bradburn

Commodore John Adams honours retiring Trustee Mike Beeton and long serving members; Mel Ringer and Kevin Connolly at this year’s AGM. Winter 2014 Page 9 Success for Euan and Cameron Harris

boats and he also came second Olympic development squad up at the Eastern Region Zone until March 2014. Championships at West Mersea so he had some good results There has not been a great considering this is first year of deal of open racing events campaigning the boat. locally but he did come second at the Radial Open at His next major event will be the Waldringfield and in October he Winter Regatta in Weymouth in took part in the February so hopefully it will be a Inland Championships at Euan has been sailing on the successful regatta. Rutland Water and came 39 Topper traveller circuit this out of 104 boats which he was year so could not take part in If anyone has a Topper and is very pleased with. club racing but will hopefully be interested in improving the skills back next season. He was also then the Topper Association Scott Harris selected for the Eastern Zone does provide good quality open RYA Topper squad for the coaching to all levels and the second year so will be doing information can be seen on their weekend training over the website. winter months. Cameron Harris has now moved On the circuit he has done into to a Laser Radial class and quite well. In September he is doing winter training at took part in the Topper Nation- Grafham Water. He is very lucky wide at Rutland Water Sailing to have Tim Hulse as his coach Club and came 21st out of 121 who was the coach for the Continued from page 4 - Footnote from Are you Getting Club Simone Emails? The club now sends out It was an extremely day He eventually turned up and frequent emails to members. at the start of regatta week (I quickly assessed the situation, Subjects include news from the seem to remember mention of making the helpful suggestion club and reminders about the tail end of an Atlantic that I WALK back to the coming racing and social ). Toppers and other clubhouse along the river wall events. small dinghies were flipping carrying the mast and sail (and over everywhere. Youngsters obviously looking inconspicuous If you have not received an (and, in fact, everyone but me) in a wetsuit). email from the club in the last took priority – so much so that month, then it would appear following a pre-race capsize, There were many visitors you are not on the list. and in the water responsibly walking by the river that August holding onto a DYC Q’ba, I was day, and there was in my opinion In that case please sign up via blown along until ‘beaching’ on little room for a dinghy mast the website (under "Members" the grassy bank to the right of amongst them. So I declined. -> "Mailing Lists"). If you have the Tidemill (dinghy by this any problems or questions time completely inverted). I N.B. Parents, rest assured that about the mailing lists, please looked around for the safety your children and teenagers will contact: boat.….. helmed by my always be rescued promptly! DYC_mail_list_admin@debeny husband. achtclub.co.uk

Simone Sutherland Pat Morgan Page 10 DYC Magazine

Changing Rooms Renovation Underway

The long awaited improvements Work is expected to continue While access to the pontoons to the club’s changing rooms until Friday 27th February, giving will still be possible, one of the are on their way! the working party four Tuesdays handrails on the ramp will be to reinstate the stored removed to allow scaffolding to equipment on the veranda in be erected. Members are time for the start of the 2015 encouraged to use the season. pontoons only when absolutely necessary and to take care to Whilst the work is underway, stay close to the remaining members still have safe access handrail to avoid the projecting to the clubrooms and the galley. scaffolding. Water and drainage to the Thanks to the club’s winter galley will be maintained during By the beginning of January the working party, who prepared the project, although there will shell of the new extended the site by removing the be times when these are changing rooms should be in contents of the oar store and unavailable. There will be no place and ready for the ‘first fix’ clearing the veranda, the toilet facilities so members are of heating, water and electrics. advised to use public toilets contractors have been able to Simon Shaw start as scheduled. nearby. DYC Project Manager

Sources of Only another Funds £655 to find to for the complete the Changing budget ! Rooms Jenny Shaw Treasurer

Galley News

Firstly, THANK YOU to all the the famous homemade cakes. Galley volunteers. We have had a wonderful summer of sailing There is new legislation coming with some very busy galley into force in December 2014, sessions. We had a very regarding 14 allergens in food. successful Maritime Wood- We will have to identify if the bridge weekend when the club food we serve contains any of was open to the public, and we these allergens, e.g nuts, served many sandwiches, cereals containing gluten, eggs, cakes and cups of tea. and have information available for people if they have any The sailors and support crews concerns. The Committee and continue to be very grateful to Galley team are looking into the With your continued help, we the Galley teams for providing best way to do this and will give look forward to supporting the food - particularly hot food when detailed guidance before next sailing programme in 2015. the weather is inclement - and year’s sailing season. Diana Cobb - Galley Lead Winter 2014 Page 11

I Becoming a Harwich Pilot

In 2014 I was offered a position There is a lot to remember and as a Harwich pilot. So after 26 no pass just the years in the Merchant Navy, examining pilots overall having served in every rank up impression of my capability and to captain, I was happy to be knowledge. moving on. I walked off my last ship as a sea going officer and This is my brain the night before 5 days later walked into the exam..... Harwich Haven Authority as a trainee pilot. On the 23rd of November 1987, on Winchester train station, my The first part of the training is parents waved goodbye to a safety, familiarisation and very determined 17 year old, introductions. However I did bound for New Orleans. I had manage to escape the office a never flown before but if I couple of times with the aid of couldn’t manage a plane how my colleagues and get piloting was I going to cope with what on ships before the first week was coming next. was out. And this is it about 2 minutes after..... I was flying off to join my first After the induction week, the ship the SS Lepeta; 350 metres next 4 months went by in a blur long, 55 metres wide, and a of ships, ships and more ships. maximum draft of 23 metres. Late nights, early mornings and Although not the biggest ship times when I couldn’t decide ever built it was big enough for which one it was. For a trainee little me. pilot this time is spent building experience and confidence with the approaches and the rivers, the different types and sizes of ships, berthing and un-berthing The final exam was an oral manouvres - and learning to examination conducted by 2 spell manoeuvres! senior pilots and the Harbour Master to formally assess my I also learnt that everyone local knowledge, understanding makes mistakes and the trick is of the regulations and to look like you know what theoretical knowledge of ship you’re doing even when you are handling. There is no written SS working on plan B. Finally I paper (practical assessment Lepeta learnt that most of the pilots are has already been done under a bit odd so I should fit in quite supervision over the past 5 Why did I go to sea? The well. months). simple answer is long holidays, good money and travel. As it In my spare time I had the joy of Two hours later I had satisfied a turned out I also enjoyed the learning all the regulations and group of my peers that they work but eventually I stopped procedures of the Authority plus would be happy to meet me enjoying the travel so much and every imaginable detail of the coming the other way on a ship this is how I came to North Sea area right down to the heights and so with the presention of a ferries and Harwich Harbour. under the cranes at Felixstowe. certificate and some shaking of hands I was authorised as a Harwich Pilot. Jane Stone

Laying Up Supper

The annual Laying Up Supper was well attended with prizes, great food, a raffle which raised £130 and display of photos taken during the year. Thanks to all those who helped with a

splendid evening - Officers of the Club especially the washers up!

Commodore John Adams Vice Commodore David Watson Rear Commodore Graham Seabrook Secretariat Honorary Secretary David Hayhow Honorary Assistant Secretary John Prevett Honorary Membership Secretary Frances Alexander Honorary Treasurer Jenny Shaw Sailing Club Captain Pierre Naudé Fast Handicap Class Captain Alan Grant Slow Handicap Class Captain Ed Adams Prize winners Rachel Alexander and Mihi Forbes Ballard who crewed for Topper Class Captain Elspeth Orme their dads this season; Ben Class Representative Kevin Connolly Alexander and Ed Ballard. The DYC welcomes new RS Feva Class Representative Jane Stone members. Please contact the Honorary Membership Secretary, RS Vision Class Representative Scott Harris Frances Alexander. Tel: 01394 385221 Yachts (Racing) Class Captain Darren Gee

Kevin Connolly Boat Booking Administrators David Hayhow Pierre Naudé