Thames Valley Region

Thames Valley Region News Bulletin

June 2010

In this Issue:

Lambeth Sail to Victory in London Youth Games Rib Roaring Youngsters aim for National Final Oxford Zoomers continue Winning Ways Regional Development Update Regional Instructor Training Courses High Performance – Thames Valley High Performance – London Regional Web Site RYA Thames Valley and London now on Facebook and Twitter. Motor Boating News Young Sailor of the Year Queen Mary Golden Girl Calls Time on her Sailing Career Sailability comes to Erith Regional Instructor Conference J80 Sportsboat Sailing in London Dinghy Show Ticket Competition St Pancras Cruising Club Gerrards Cross Sailing Association Enterprise Open at London Corinthian SC X1 Open Events Regional Contacts The Epilogue

Welcome….

…to this issue of the RYA Thames Valley Region News Bulletin. Any feedback appreciated, please e-mail [email protected] or call 07925 609909. The next issue will be in November, so please send me any regional news or promotions for future events. A big thank-you to all who contributed to this issue.

Lambeth Sail to Victory in London Youth Games

On Saturday 06 June in fantastic sailing conditions some 220 youngsters from across 26 of the 33 London Boroughs took to the waters at Royal Victoria Docks in a battle to rule the waves at the 2011 Thames Water London Youth Games Regatta.

After six hours of intense competition Lambeth were announced as the new sailing champions after winning in the Pico male, Oppie male and RS Feva Class Mixed events on Saturday. They also won silver in the Oppie female and Pico Mixed to secure the borough’s first top-three finish at the 2011 Balfour Beatty London Youth Games.

Last year’s sailing winners Tower Hamlets came second, while Hillingdon got third place for the second consecutive year.

Tom Mitchell and Imogen Scott, winners of the RS Feva Class Mixed event, were among the victorious members of Team Lambeth. Tom, 15, said: “We practice every week at Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre. I had a friend who did kayaking at the docks, so I followed him down there and got into the sailing.”

Imogen, 16, said: “I did it for the first time when I was about eight, then I again when I was in year nine. This is my last year, so we were really determined to win and I am really pleased.”

Olympic sailing gold medallist Sarah Ayton was present at the event and says she was left ‘inspired’ by what she saw: “It’s been hugely inspiring and it’s great to see so many kids here enjoying their time on the water. Sport at a young age is all about having fun and creating a situation where people want to come back and do it again."

RYA Sailing Development Officer for London, Steve Mitchell who was instrumental in organising the event says: “This is an amazing regatta for young sailors living in London as it presents a great team environment for young sailors to come together and compete.

"A great deal of work goes into this event to keep it an entry level regatta and it is refreshing to see so many new racers turning up to compete for the first time." He continues.

"Many teams derive from Clubs and Centres who are part of the RYA OnBoard (OB) programme which links first time sailing experiences to local schools and community group. This compliments the London Youth Games selection process perfectly as OB clubs always have a fresh supply of new sailors.”

Thanks go to the team of 60 volunteer staff who support the London Youth Games.

For more information visit http://www.londonyouthgames.org/default.asp

For video coverage see http://www.sail.tv/ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KvXlJwz0FY

Rib Roaring Youngsters aim for National Final

Two young RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) drivers from the Thames Valley powered through to the national final of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship by winning the regional round of the competition on 14 May 2011.

The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship, sponsored by Honda and Ribcraft, is a National Championship in which 8-16 year old RIB drivers demonstrate their boat handling skills in a race against the clock with the goal of winning a 5m Ribcraft or a Honwave T40 for their club. The final will be held at Southampton Boat Show. The event, hosted by the Sea Cadets at Royal Victoria Dock was open for all regional clubs and training centres to send competitors for each of two categories: 8-12 and 13-16 years old. Increasing winds during the morning made for very testing conditions.

Josh Lee Patterson (10) of Bagshot representing Wokingham Multi Activity Centre took first spot in the 8-12 age group in his first attempt at the competition. Sea cadet Thomas Wood from the host centre was runner up.

An exhilarated Josh said: “I haven’t done a lot of powerboating and this was really exciting. I’m really pleased about winning and can’t wait for the finals”

In the older group Erith Yacht Club member Adam Bermingham (16) from Greenwich (pictured above) posted an astonishing time, matching the winning time at last year’s national final, to take first place. Second place George Galloway of Windsor Yacht Club and third place Rory Cooke from Black Swan Sailing Club had a really close battle, both ending up with the same time, but after a count back on penalties George just pipped it.

Adam said: “It was a really good day at the Royal Victoria Dock. I stayed focused, did the best I could and it paid off’”.

Adam, who has won the regional final for the last three years, added: “I was third at last year’s Southampton Boat Show; first place is my aim for this year. It’s my last chance so I’ve just got to stay concentrated.”

David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager for event sponsor Honda said: "We are extremely proud that in 10th year of sponsoring the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, we continue to inspire and encourage more young people than ever before to pursue their passion for boating, and also give them the skills to do so. It allows us to underline our commitment to safety and best practice, something which we take extremely seriously as a major manufacturer of engines and inflatables."

Thanks to Championship sponsors Honda and Ribcraft.

For more information about the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, details on how to get involved and a list of regional finals scores visit www.rya.org.uk/go/hondayouthrib

Oxford Zoomers continue Winning Ways

Oxford Zoomers beat off stiff competition from eight other South Zone teams to take the opening round of the RYA Team15 (T15) inter-club windsurfing championships, and continue their winning ways from last year.

The Zoomers will hope to repeat their 2010 success when they dominated the regional heats to claim their place at the national final.

Bright sunshine greeted the event, hosted by Oxford Sailing Club at Farmoor Reservoir on 4 June 2011, and all the youngsters did really well to complete the races in a strong breeze with gusts of over 20 knots. T15 inter-club coordinator Sarah Cartwright said: “It was a really fun day of racing for the 49 competitors, with only 4 points separating the top two teams! Everyone is now looking forward to the next event at Queen Mary on July 16th.”

Axbridge Animals put in a great performance to finish second overall at their first event. The Animal’s Libby Allen (13) has been sailing T15 for just one month and finished sixth in the 3.5 fleet, and a very determined Kate Hatchel (10) kept going with a smile on her face to finish every race.

Brothers James and Ben Barnwell from Queen Mary Skimmers, both aged 13, battled it out in the 4.5 fleet. James came out on top having won all but the first race in the fleet, with Ben a close second.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde. T15 was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level.

Fun and informal training sessions take place at T15 clubs all over the country for kids up to the age of 15, which are run weekly by specialist RYA coaches.

The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills.

Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.

Regional Development Update

Tim Anderton, RYA Sailing Development Officer (SDO) for the Thames Valley, sends this update:

Within the region we have two SDOs, Steve Mitchell for London and Tim Anderton for Thames Valley.

We work closely with sailing clubs, centres, Local Sports Partnerships and funding organisations to promote all aspects of our sport to as many people as possible. Both SDOs work with all the RYA projects: OnBoard, Team15, Volvo Championship Clubs, Honda RYA Youth Rib and Sailability, to ensure that clubs and centres are kept up to date with the latest initiatives.

The main projects being worked on currently are:

 Activate your fleet, getting as many of the boats at the club regularly on the water. Think of all those boats in the boat park, how many of them haven’t been sailed for weeks if not months? We have resources for generating ideas to get more people sailing more often.

 Market Segmentation. Sport England has published a fantastic tool to allow sailing clubs to see what percentage of people in their local areas may be interested in various sports. The RYA have gone into a bit more depth and created information packs specifically related to sailing. http://www.sportengland.org/research/market_segmentation.aspx is the direct link but contact your local SDO for more info.

 I love Sailing. A national project to generate interest in sailing. Anyone can enter and the aim is to create the best short video about sailing. There are great prizes up for grabs including a £2000 Mac Book Pro as first prize. www.ilovesailing.com

 Team Racing. London had a team racing training day on the 26th March which generated a lot of interest. There is another event running in Oxford on the 23rd July. For more information, contact [email protected]

 Sport England Small Grants Programme. Grants are available for up to £10,000 to purchase equipment for local sports clubs. http://www.sportengland.org/funding/small_grants.aspx

• Other initiatives include Sail for Gold and Gold Challenge which clubs are taking on board and working towards. Queen Mary SC will be hosting a day for all the people at Gold Challenge to get them out on the water. • • Club plans for 2011 should have all been completed now and we are working with our relevant clubs to arrange delivery of sessions, anything from increasing adult participation, e.g. supported adult sessions, to make the step from training into club racing, Can Sail Can't Race courses, ladies only courses, powerboat support, and Race Coach Level 2 courses. If clubs have not got this sort of details fixed then it is worth them getting in touch with your SDO as soon as possible. • • A large number of regional instructor courses have been funded through Mayor's Legacy funding and an impressive number of new DIs, PBIs and SIs have qualified in the past few months.

• We are having a huge push with the J80 Project. For more information contact Charles Wand-Tetley [email protected]

• There have been a number of successful small grants in the region, along with Sport England grants for kit etc. These all make a big difference.

• A full session on Honda Rib Challenge was held at the regional instructors conference.

If you or your club would like assistance with club development or any other aspect of sailing, windsurfing and powerboating, please contact your local SDO Steve Mitchell – [email protected] 07748804802 Tim Anderton – [email protected] 07585 505882

Regional Instructor Training Courses

The following regional training courses for instructors are available in 2011.

Course Venue Dates Cost RYA Senior Instructor £240 (Windsurfing) Bray Lake Watersport Centre Nov 20, 21, 22, 23 RYA Windsurfing Start Docklands Sailing & Watersport Dates to be £300 Instructor Centre confirmed

There are various ways in which clubs and individuals may access funding for these courses:

 Mayors Legacy Fund If you live in London and volunteer in London, or would like to volunteer then you can apply for 25% - 75% of funding toward the cost of your course. Note: Some County Sport Partnerships (CSPs) outside of London also offer coaching bursaries. Information on these can be accessed through the County Sport Partnership the Sport Development Team or via the CSP web site.

 Using your RYA volunteer grant funding. If your Club/Centre is a RYA T15, OB, or VCC partner, or you are working with an RYA Development Officer to become any of these, you may be able to apply for funding.

 If neither of the above are appropriate to you or your Club/Centre and you are working with any of the regional team (RDO, SDO, or RCC) you may be able to apply for up to 50% of the course fee. Please discuss this with your RYA contact.

If you are interested in any of these courses or wish to know further information on accessing the above funding opportunities please contact [email protected]

High Performance – Thames Valley

Chris Atherton, RYA High Performance Manager, reports:

RYA Zone Squads 2010/2011

The training over the winter period has gone well, with very few days lost to bad weather or frozen lakes. The training has just come to an end and now all the major classes are starting their summer programmes.

We are currently trying to agree the RYA National Junior and Zone squad dates for the coming winter. Once these have been agreed we are hoping to publish these are widely so that clubs can plan their winter programmes. In the national junior squad dates we are trying to utilise half terms so that we can reduce the number of weekends and thus the travelling for parents and sailors alike.

RYA Zone Squad Selection

All the selection events for Zone Squads have been confirmed and these are available on the RYA website. We are currently booking venues for next winters zone squad programme.

RYA Volvo Zone Championships

These will run on 24 & 25 September and for the South Zone they will be held at Weymouth & Portland and National Sailing Academy. Classes will be Laser 4.7, Topper, Optimist, Cadet, Feva, Mirror and Windsurfer. This is an RYA Zone Championship that we would like the junior club sailors in the appropriate classes to attend. We have coaches on hand to help explain the courses and explain what is happening.

Volvo, as the principal sponsor, normally provides Team Volvo for Life sailors to attend three of these events. These Olympic sailors are on hand to chat to the young sailors and give a talk about how they started out in sailing and their journey to the Olympics.

Please help by promoting this event.

Level 2 Coaching Courses

These are still extremely popular and courses are filling up very quickly once they are announced. Any club wishing to hold a course needs to get it in their programme as soon as possible (it would even be worth booking autumn dates as the tutors are getting booked up well in advance)

Volvo RYA Champion Club / Club and Coach

This activity continues to be one of the main focuses of work. Funding is available to clubs and they need to make contact with Chris Atherton or Viv Nanopoulou (Champion Club Liaison Officer) to ensure they continue to receive their funding.

We have just completed a survey of all to the junior racing clubs which shows which classes and how many people are active within each region. We will be distributing this to RYA regional committees and class associations. The RYA HPMs are also use the data as part of their regional plans to support and develop junior and youth racing.

We employ a number of regional race coaches, within each region to work with the active junior and youth sailing clubs. In the course of the next month we will be recruiting more regional coaches. We will be looking for people who have extensive knowledge of race coaching, training and club development.

Clubs and Coaches Conference

The Clubs and coaches conferences will take place over the weekend of the 3rd and 4th December. The venues and actual day are to be agreed.

For more information on the above contact [email protected]

High Performance – London

Paul Wren, RYA High Performance Manager East & South East, writes:

Volvo Champion Club (VCC)

Docklands sailing and water sports centre became VCCs in late 2010 helping to continue the centre’s work with Fevas. Hillingdon outdoor activity centre, Erith Yacht Club & Thamesis have all put in applications to become VCC clubs. Activity

Many of the London centres have taken up the VCC funding to push forward the Club Pro concept, these being instructors who are keen racers themselves who are then instrumental in pushing racing in the individual centres to youngsters who would not necessarily have the opportunity to race. The Club Pros run regular coaching and racing sessions.

The London centres have been driving forward with Toppers and Fevas as racing fleets, with some gaining extra funding to support new boats. The Fevas have been a great success, with Docklands sending a team to the 2010 National championships supported by centre staff and parents. These teams have also been taking part in the SE Feva Open training circuit run by the Feva association.

Activity has continued over the winter with a mini-series at the Victoria docks. A London open meeting circuit is being organised, with the London Youth Games (Sailing) on the 4th June. This is a London Borough challenge event taking part on the Royal Victoria Dock. The event has grown over the years with a second day at King George reservoir for the more advanced sailors being organised. Some young sailors are now racing independently of the centres, buying their own boats and taking part regionally and nationally.

2011 RYA Volvo Zone Championships

The 2011 RYA Volvo Zone Championships will be hosted by Bewl Valley Sailing Club the weekend 24th & 25th September 2011. Fleets will Be Topper, Optimist & Feva. Please get this into club diaries as it is a great day for all junior sailors. The event is not just for sailors wishing to get into Zone squad but a good first time experience for new racing junior sailors.

For more information on the above contact [email protected]

Regional Web Site

If you haven’t already taken a look at our regional web site please do visit http://www.rya.org.uk/regions/thamesvalley/Pages/ThamesValleyRegion.aspx Please send any feedback, news items, and publicity for forthcoming events to [email protected]

RYA Thames Valley and London now on Facebook and Twitter

Our region is now using both Twitter and Facebook to engage a wider audience and promote regional events.

People with Twitter accounts can now follow Steve Mitchell, Sailing Development Officer (SDO) for London at RYA_Mitchell and Tim Anderton, SDO for Thames Valley, at ryathamesvalley on Twitter.

Instructor conferences, local first aid courses, instructor endorsements and general sailing information will be posted.

We have also created a regional Facebook page “RYA Thames Valley and London Region” where similar information can and will be posted. Advertising regional events or spaces on Instructor Courses will be encouraged. Currently only the SDOs can add posts to the site, in order to control the content. To add to it, please e-mail the info across to [email protected].

Motor Boating News

ATYC Chairman Michael Shefras reports:

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant

ATYC is involved with the organisation of the Queen’s Jubilee celebration on the Thames in June 2012.

At high water on Sunday 3 June 2012 up to a thousand boats muster on the River Thames in preparation for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to lead the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. It will be one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the river.

Some boats in the Pageant will be chosen for their historic links with the River Thames and the UK’s trading communities, others are selected simply because they provide the flotilla with an element of fun, flair and unique visual excitement.

Rowed boats and working boats and pleasure vessels of all shapes and sizes will be beautifully dressed with streamers and Union Jacks, their crews and passengers turned out in their finest rigs.

The armed forces, fire, police, rescue and other services are all afloat and there are an exuberance of historic boats, wooden launches, steam vessels and other boats of note.

The flotilla is bolstered with passenger boats carrying up to thirty thousand flag-waving members of the public placed centre stage (or rather mid-river) in this floating celebration of Her Majesty’s sixty year reign.

The spectacle is further enhanced with music barges, boats spouting geysers and pyrotechnic barges spitting smoke and daytime fireworks. And there will be specially constructed elements like a floating belfry, its chiming bells answered by those from riverbank churches.

The RYA Thames Valley will set up a sub committee to support leisure motorboaters from the region wishing to take part. There is concern that boat handling skills must be considered when participants are accepted. The committee will be chaired by Michael Shefras and consist of ATYC members and other Thames organisations to offer advice.

For more information and to register for the event visit http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/

New Waterways Charity

Through the Thames User Group (Navigation) the region has been pressing the Waterways Minister not to include the River Thames in the proposed New Waterways Charity (NWC) which was announced in October 2010. At a meeting held at Defra on Monday 28 February, 2011representatives were advised that the River Thames is not be included in the NWC when it starts in April 2012. It is suggested that there will be a “phased introduction”, but not until after the Government Spending Review in 2014, subject to the financial stability of the NWC and then after further consultation in 2015/16.

Consultation documents to consider the NWC are to be published at a meeting held on 30 March, 2011. Thames Region will be taking an active part in discussing the governance of the new organisation.

ATYC Training

ATYC has launched its training package for safe boat handling on the River Thames. The Thames Boating Certificate (TBC) was launched in January 2011 and the first club instructors were be inducted during February. Participating clubs will be able to provide training and working through a log book explaining the scheme, advising the syllabus and the practical exercises expected to be mastered. On completion of the training, after a suitable examination a skipper will be entailed to display a window decal to show that he is qualified to the TBC standard on the type of boat displaying the decal. The boat will also be entailed to fly a defaced ATYC burgee showing that he is a competent boater on that type of boat. For more information contact [email protected] The scheme is seen as a stepping stone to more senior RYA qualifications.

ATYC People

At the AGM held on Wednesday 23 March, 2011, Michael Shefras was elected the new Chair, Andy Soper the Deputy Chair and there were two new Vice Chairs, Gaby Chambers and David Jones. Dave Eatwell and Warwick Morgan the existing vice chair were reelected. ATYC are still seeking an Honorary Secretary.

ATYC Events

August 27-29 ATYC Rally, West India Dock, London

For more information on ATYC visit http://www.atyc.co.uk/

How the Olympics will affect boating on the Thames

Consideration on how the River Thames might be affected during the Olympic period in 2012 is ongoing. Boaters should be ready for restrictions both down river in the area of the main site and again between Boveny and Bray by the Eton Rowing Lake but there will be continual through navigation.

British Waterways and the Tidal Thames Marinas are already taking reservations for moorings for the Olympic Period. The Port of London Authority (PLA) are warning that unless you have a reserved mooring do not attempt to come to the Thames.

The PLA is considering the installation of mooring buoys if there is a demand, but suggest that there might be restrictions on the use of tenders between moorings and the shore unless arrangements have been made for security of such tenders.

The Environment Agency (EA) is working with Thames Valley Police will ensure navigation throughout the period, but be aware that there will be canoe competitors using a buoyed channel at the same time the rowing is taking place on the Dorney rowing lake so there will be speed restrictions.

In both areas we can expect Police and security checks.

More information will be supplied as it becomes available – visit the RYA regional web site http://www.rya.org.uk/regions/thamesvalley/Pages/ThamesValleyRegion.aspx and the EA and PLA web sites shown below:

Environment Agency

Environment Agency (EA) Boating Customers Charter for the Thames

The EA manages the freshwater (non-tidal) River Thames, which extends for 217km (135 miles) from the town bridge at Cricklade to the boundary obelisk just downstream of Teddington lock. For more information see http://www.environment- agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/boating/31543.aspx

The EA wants all its customers to enjoy using the non-tidal River Thames, and their customer charter explains the service they will provide, see http://www.environment- agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/Customer_Charter_2010_print.pdf

River Conditions

The EA's web page showing up to date River Thames conditions and advice to boaters http://www.visitthames.co.uk/riverconditions shows up to date River Thames conditions and advice to boaters. Add this link to your own clubs web and check it out before starting any trips or events

Port of London Authority

The PLA promotes the safe use of the tidal Thames.

Although PLA oversee the running of Britain’s second biggest port and busiest inland waterway, it also take pride in a river that’s a centre of excellence for rowing; a home to around 70 leisure craft clubs, facilities and marinas; an iconic destination for visiting boats; and host to 50 sporting events every year.

PLA believes in a Thames that’s accessible for all responsible river users, and works closely with commercial, recreational, community and amenity groups to make this happen. For more information please see www.boatingonthethames.co.uk

Thames User Group (Navigation)

TUGn Thames User Group (Navigation) represents the interests of boaters on the Thames. ATYC and RYA are members of TUGn. For more information visit http://www.riverusergroups.co.uk/ Olympics - TUGn continues its work on behalf Thames boaters to ensure that during the 2012 Olympic period the river between Windsor and Maidenhead remains open for navigation.

Young Sailor of the Year

Erith Yacht Club member Aaron Reynolds was presented with the prestigious RYA Thames Valley Young Sailor of the Year Award 2010 at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show. The awards were presented by Skandia Team GBR’s Lucy Macgregor, Women’s Match Racing World Champion and recognise the outstanding achievements of youth sailors across the country.

A typically modest Aaron said: “I was very surprised to get the award, it was a bit of a shock. The award ceremony was brilliant, and I got a “well done” from Lucy Macgregor. Now I’m looking forward to 2011 and hoping to compete in the RS100 Nationals, with the help of a great support team at Erith Yacht Club.”

Aaron was voted RYA Thames Valley Regional Young Sailor of the Year 2010 last autumn for supporting a demanding training programme at Erith Yacht Club, which has recently had a significant investment in new facilities. Often he was required at short notice during this school holidays or at weekends, and he always arrived early and without prompting to ensure everything was ready for the courses.

Aaron was amongst thirteen RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year winners who are voted for by RYA affiliated sailing clubs. These young sailors have made a significant impact on youth sailing, ranging from gold medal winning achievements and overcoming adversity, to the huge amount of hard work and effort they give back to their clubs.

Aaron and family were treated to an action packed VIP day at the show, thanks to Pantaenius Yacht Insurance.

Queen Mary Golden Girl Calls Time on her Sailing Career

Double Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ayton has announced she is to retire from the sport, thus ending her quest for an historic third Olympic title at the London 2012 Games. The 30-year-old Sarah, who is married to Olympic bronze medal-winning windsurfer Nick Dempsey, began her 2012 campaign in earnest in April 2010, nine months after giving birth to the couple’s first son Thomas, and has been sailing for Skandia Team GBR in the two-person 470 class with Beijing Olympian Saskia Clark.

Sarah and older brother Daniel grew up at Queen Mary Sailing Club, and they went through the Oppie, Topper, club youth, regional youth and national youth squads with the help of hugely supportive parents.

Sarah first declared her ambition to win a gold medal when she was 12 years old. At 16 a club member bought her a new Laser, and with continued club support at 18 she became world junior silver medalist, and Spelthorne Young Sports Person of the Year!

Sarah claimed Olympic glory in the Yngling class in Athens, and again in Beijing, and was striving to become the first British woman to win three consecutive Olympic golds at her home Games in London. But for Sarah, renowned for her dedication and ‘no compromise’ approach in her previous two medal-winning campaigns, the demands of Olympic classes sailing and motherhood have proved a relentless juggling act.

“To succeed at the highest level as an Olympic athlete you ultimately have to be pretty single-minded, and that’s something that just doesn’t sit happily when you’re a mum as well,” Ayton explained. “Winning gold is what Olympic sailing is all about, so working towards 2012 and feeling like I can’t give it my full attention has made me question why I am doing it, especially when it involves missing out on important time with Thomas.

“Full engagement is what makes the difference between being average and being great, in Olympic sport or whatever aspect of life. I am really looking forward to focusing my time and energy on Thomas, who’s now 19 months old and into everything, and to supporting Nick, who is working harder than ever on his own Olympic campaign, so that he has the best possible chance of winning gold in 2012.

“There are so many people who have helped me over my ten years of Olympic sailing, from the people I’ve sailed with and been coached by, to the RYA and all the experts within Skandia Team GBR.

“I am grateful my sponsors for all for their support, and of course I’m most thankful to my family for their patience and the sacrifices they’ve made to help me be the best I can be.”

Sarah concluded: “London 2012 will be an amazing thing for our country – literally a once in a lifetime event which will excite and inspire, and I hope everyone will get behind it. Although I won’t be there competing, I really hope that I can be involved in one way or another.”

RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park said: “It’s disappointing to be losing someone of Sarah’s calibre and track record from our programme. “We’re all sorry to see her hang up her sailing boots, but with London 2012 drawing ever closer I’m sure her knowledge and expertise will be put to good use off the water.”

Sailability comes to Erith

Following the opening last year of the £3.5M new clubhouse, Erith Yacht Club have opened sailing to sailors with disabilities by becoming a Sailability Centre.

On 17th April, the Deputy Mayor of Bexley, James Spencer, with Commodore, Geoff Pigott, officially launched two Challenger Trimarans. The boats, purchased with the help of Bexley Council, were soon sailing on the tidal Thames in glorious sunshine. With a full time Instructor and a host of volunteers it will be possible for disabled sailors to sail all week.

Debbie Blatchford, RYA Sailability Manager, was present to advise the new Sailability Centre. Also in attendance was RYA Thames Valley Region Chairman, Alan Woolford.

The event was accompanied by a champagne reception and lunch.

Regional Instructor Conference

The latest Regional Instructor Conference was held on Saturday 26th March at Datchet Water SC. This was a fun and informative day of practical activities for all instructors involved in the dinghy, windsurfer, and powerboat schemes, giving them the opportunity to learn the latest RYA developments and take part in sessions afloat and ashore designed to keep them up to date and further their knowledge. Manufactures provided their latest kit for trial. And happily the wind kicked in at the 11th hour. Take a look at the video...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0YNY4RU49I

If anyone who attended has any thoughts on the conference, the format of the day, any further sessions which we could include next year, and do you feel there is a demand for different levels, e.g. basic and advanced rig tuning, then please do send your feedback to [email protected]

J80 Sportsboat Sailing in London

Would you like to sail Europe’s fastest selling sportsboat? Enjoy some coaching or have a go at Match Racing?

The Magna Carta Sailing Project is based at Queen Mary Sailing Club. There are two J80 boats available for hire to groups or for individual instruction or just for a fun day out. Half/whole day or evening rates are available. Club groups are welcome – it’s an exciting day out for clubs or club youth groups.

RYA Thames Valley Club J80 Championship will be on 29th November 2011 - so come and get some practice!

Further details from Charles Wand-Tetley at [email protected]

Dinghy Show Ticket Competition

Congratulations to all the lucky winners of dinghy show tickets from our competition held by e- mail to the clubs, on the regional web site, and in regional papers. Thank-you for the positive feedback from the happy winners, and hope you had a great day at show.

St Pancras Cruising Club

St Pancras Cruising Club offers a wide range of cruising/social events such as:

The Solstice Cruise Sat 25 & Sun 26 Jun. The longest day and the shortest night. Let’s make it spiritual like the nature loving children we are.

IWA National Festival and Boat Show Fri 29 - Sun 31st Jul. This year, Burton-on-Trent is the home of this classic boat gathering. Truly a spectacle of boating co-operation. Lots to see and do and endless tea drinking and story swapping. Contact Andrew Phasey through the club website.

Angel Canal Festival Sun 04 Sep. Known for its outstanding contribution to our local communities. The one and only home-grown festival. Don’t forget the boaters BBQ in City Road Basin on the evening of Sat 03 Sep! Spooky Cruise and Halloween Party Sat 29 Oct. Cruise to Kensal Green cemetery; take a guided tour of the catacombs and come out thankful. Return to St. Pancras in the dying light, as the moon rises, for the annual Halloween party of horror.

For a full programme and more information visit www.stpancrascc.co.uk

Gerrards Cross Sailing Association

Jimmy Cornell, long distance cruising sailor, author of World Cruising Routes, World Cruising Destinations and ‘A Passion for the Sea’, and founder of the ARC returns to Gerrards Cross Sailing Association on 26 November 2011 to present his one day Masterclass seminar on long distance and offshore cruising. In the last three decades Jimmy has sailed 200,000 miles in all oceans of the world, including three circumnavigations and two voyages to Antarctica. He has a wealth of practical advice to offer anyone contemplating a trip whether to the Mediterranean or right around the world. Jimmy’s excellent photographs of many of the world’s most beautiful cruising areas will be used to illustrate his seminar.

Other items on GXSA’s Autumn programme include:

Oct 19th - John and Freda Andrews - New Zealand to Brazil via Australia and South Africa Oct 26th - Douglas Addison - Northern Baltic Nov 2nd - Robert Fellowes - Cruising the Wild West Spitzbergen or west coast of Ireland

For more information see www.gxsa.org.uk

Enterprise Open at London Corinthian SC

It is becoming a tradition now that the Enterprise Open meeting at London Corinthian sailing Club, on the tidal Thames in Hammersmith, is blighted by light easterlies drifting in with the tide. And April 16 was no exception.

Racing traditionally takes place on an incoming tide two hours before high water. Fine for prevailing westerlies, intriguing with easterlies, but an almost impossible ask for Enterprises to tack against a 7.2m spring tide in about three knots of wind.

Sailing should have commenced at 12.50, the sailors were willing and able and in the end decided to launch all 19 dinghies , two of which came from Lensbury and South Bank, and await events.

Some of the sailors suggested that we race to No 8 buoy (usually set up-river near Barnes Bridge) and spend a happy hour or two at the pub and sail back when the tide turned.

Finally the wind came in from the east with a touch of north, force 2, and managed to stay fairly consistent. Alan Beaney and Jess Holley took an early lead, and there was tight racing throughout the fleet. In the first race seasoned Ent campaigner Alan and Jess showed their mastery of boat handling and tactics to establish a narrow lead although Val Nedyalkov – famed for sailing his Laser in the Round the Island race – was running him hard, as was Robin Johnson, crewed by Ed Hipkin, and Chris Rowsell and Teresa Burton and Allan and Colleen Munro-Faure from Southbank SC who would eventually finish second.

The start of the second race was even tighter than the first and four dinghies were over the line, but three of them failed to understand that and were disqualified. On the second lap Robin Johnson and Ed Hipkin in Maveric made big gains by choosing to run down the Surrey bank. They ended up third in this race, which was won by Allan Munro-Faure with Alan Beaney in second.

At the end of two challenging races Alan Beaney prevailed with Robin Johnson second and Allan Munro-Faure in third place.

With thanks to Simon Hills and Beverley A Lawrence Beech

Strange goings on have been noticed on the River Thames over the past year or two, with a rather fast sailing dinghy – first sporting a bowsprit and transom, then not – becoming an alien addition to the traditional mix of Lasers and Enterprises, eights and fours, river cruisers and tourist vessels that normally mix it in the vicinity of Hammersmith Reach.

The X1 is the brainchild of London Corinthian Sailing Club member, Chris Ingram, who has seen a gap in the market for a fast dinghy designed specifically for the exigencies of river and inland sailing. There is a traditional spinnaker, for example, because on a tidal river long reaches with an asymmetric are impossible to achieve. The mast is taller than normal, and there’s a big sail area to keep the boat going in light airs (a smaller sail is supplied as standard, because it still does get windy on a river).

”Being able to tack quickly and easily without slowing down significantly and also being able to run dead down wind are very useful too,” says Chris, who brought in the immense design talents of Phil Morrison (the man behind the RS 200 and 400) to develop what we now know as the X1, and enlisted Ovington as the chosen builder.

The X1 is a strict one-design that has a limited number of adjustments and controls so it’s easy to sail. A large cockpit means it is suitable for two or three-man crews (so you don’t have to be a gorilla to keep it upright). The hull is a lightweight epoxy foam sandwich, which will remain stiff for a long time and is completely self-draining. It’s easy to right from a capsize, and a carbon mast and boom keep the weight down.

What river sailors have noticed most, though, is that it’s jolly fast. Chris has taken it to the Three Rivers Race at Horning, Salcombe and Queen Mary Sailing club, among other areas, and dominated the competition. For us London sailors, it’s been tremendous seeing the Thames becoming more and more active as a sailing venue.

In the Fifties Hammersmith-born Jack Holt developed the National 12 and Merlin Rocket on the Thames from his base next to London Corinthian’s arch rivals Ranelagh SC at Putney. Half a century on, it’s been a thrill to see the Thames again being home to more innovation on the water.

Open Events Cookham Reach SC

Saturday 16th July - Lightning Open & Southern Champs. Sunday 17th July - Sail-it Day on when we are hoping to focus all members of the club to sail their boats.

Staines SC

Staines SC holds its Annual RNLI Charity Race, on Sat 11th July at 2pm, where race entries and donations go to the RNLI. Visitors and other sailors are always welcome. The RNLI usually send along a representative who sells RNLI goods, cards etc.

Regional Contacts

Chairman Alan Woolford [email protected] Vice Chairman Chris Turner [email protected] Secretary Pip Deverson [email protected] Treasurer Hugh Walker [email protected] Regional Development Officer Guy Malpas [email protected] Sailing Development Officer London [email protected] Sailing Development Officer Thames Valley [email protected] Regional Fleet Manager Paul Robson [email protected] High Performance Manager Chris Atherton [email protected] Sailability Anthony Mason [email protected] Cruising Andrew Bernstein [email protected] Racing Rules Advisor Chris Simon [email protected] Race Management Charles Wand-Tetley [email protected] Environment and Planning George Crowe [email protected] Boat Safety Scheme Michael Chambers [email protected] RUG 6 Johnny Johnstone [email protected] Regional Communicator Mike Haigh [email protected]

The Epilogue

That’s all folks for this issue. Thank-you to all who contributed. Don’t forget please to send your feedback – positive or good-humoured negative - news and diary dates for the next newsletter (due December) and the region’s web page (ongoing) to Mike Haigh, e-mail [email protected] Items should be of interest on a regional level rather than events purely related to your own club please.