News, views & information from Weir Wood Club

"Club Champions Jon Ching and Peter Jenkins" Photo by Captura Images

Issue 7 Spring/Summer 2011 Club Championships Celebrating our Seniors The RNLI Commodore’s Cosy Chat were the RS100’s which were an Simon Davis interesting sight It’s been a very busy spring so far as we picked ourselves up in the light wind! after the very cold winter. Unusually the pursuit race was A big group of us met at Ally Pally on the 19th March to be better attended formally awarded our Volvo Champion Club status! This is than has been the a very important award for the Club and gives it credibility case in the past in any circumstance so congratulations again to all of those and the fleet were involved. It was a great day for all concerned and the photos awarded with a are there for all to see later in Afloat so I won’t steal anyones’ slightly stronger thunder by going on about it! I’ll make only two points; wind in the Firstly on fund raising. As a result of VCC status you get a afternoon and a 15% discount on any new Volvo you buy and we, the Club, long, long course. Simon Davis get £100 for every Volvo bought by Club members. So can I 2 hours really is J appeal to you, for the sake of your sailing club, to go out and a long race after buy Volvo’s. Not just one, not two, but three or even four so two races in the morning! Chris Fyans used the very light that we can raise much needed funds for the Club. Secondly winds in the morning as an excuse to get his Rooster out but I’ve always thought that ultra high performers, whatever somehow or another didn’t really show up for the racing! A their discipline, be it business, politics or sport have an aura note for the future. Having hosted the inaugural Rooster 8.7 about them. Clearly Paul Goodison does. After he shook my National in October 2009 we will be hosting them again in hand on the Saturday I got a 5th in the races on the October this year. The Rooster is an interesting extension of Sunday! Sadly it’s not something that lasts. the Laser concept without the Laser branding. DG’s report Also to add to the good news on the Youth front we applied is a good read and the results have been on the website for a for and received funding for 3 new RS Fevas for the Youth while. Racing Group. Along with Lasers 420’s and 29’ers Feva’s now And another great result for the Oppy fleet: congratulations represent the RYA’s ‘Youth Pathway’ boats. We have 5 Lasers to Emma Baker for coming first in the GB team at the Oppy with all rigs and 3 Fevas. It is great to see them being actively Worlds at Lake Garda. We are really proud of you. used most weekends. We’re looking for a sponsor for our Youth sailors as they start to spread their wings around Nationally the 100’s have created a real storm since their the Opens, Zonals and Nationals around the country so if launch and RS’s marketing was very clever, involving anyone has any ideas on this then please let me know. interested and experienced sailors trying prototypes out around the Club’s. WWSC sailors, ever at the forefront, were The Club Champs were a great affair. I thought attendance very quick to take them up and we had 2 representatives was actually down but then the DG (Sailing Sec David Giles, at the first RS100 Nationals last year with Tim Hulley 7th the real power behind the Commodores throne), reminded and Colin Hatton 16th. I think there are now 6 and maybe 7 me that we had an Oppi zonal training day last year so not regular sailors and they are proving extremely competitive all 62 boats on the water were competing. So our turnout both on the water and on handicap. In that context it was a this year at 48 boats was not at all shabby. New on the block real shame that winds on Saturday 16th April were forecast to be, and turned out, very light. RS brought two boats up to

Spring 2011 WWSC for a 100 Open Day and there was a good turnout of

Dates at a Glance Sailing Events existing owners and a couple of first timers. They seem a good deal less ‘flighty’ than the single handers 11th June Laser 2000 Open Meeting RS have come up with before and are more tractable in a reservoir situation with sufficient waterline width towards Afloat 3rd July RS 200 Open meeting the stern. Can’t be long before Sam Pascoe comes up with a 2 17th July Open Meeting foiler which, given the boats basic high performance should Social and other Events be spectacular. 18th May (Wednesday evening after sailing) Talking about the 16th April we in the committee are very aware of comments that the Club is too skewed towards elite Talk by the RNLI after Wed racing and do not take into consideration the needs of those 25th June Picnic and Proms who can sail well, who want to race but feel that they will always be at the back of the fleet. We are also concerned that Write them in your diaries NOW such a high percentage of boats in the Boat Park rarely see the light of day. Therefore on the 16th April we organised a Junior & Youth Training where I feel we have put a lot of ‘Can sail, can’t race’ and ‘get the cover off your boat’ day. The effort and the effects are beginning to be seen in turnout, aim of this was to have some of the Club ‘pro’s’ including ex- level of interest and results. Growing the membership was World Champion and multi National champion David Giles 3rd. All I’ll say on that is that we are working on it! offering advice and help on the water throughout We asked for textual response to what were your best the day. It was therefore highly disappointing that only a and worst aspects of the Club. Clearly well ahead was paltry two members actually turned up. I am constantly the wonderful location and the friendliness and spirit of saddened and amazed by the poor attendance to Club the club members. I’m bound to say that the atmosphere events outside the mainstream, and members will end up around the Club is excellent at the moment and there with the events they deserve i.e. none unless they turn up is a very strong spirit in the membership without the for them. It really is a case of ‘se it or lose it’. It was wasteful cliqueyness that we may have been guilty of in the past. On and demoralising for the two ‘Pro’s’ we had laid on as they the downside, it was the Clubhouse downstairs and the Boat may well be unwilling to volunteer in the future if so few Park that took most of the flak. We have put in place actions turn out when they do. On the issue of ‘can sail, can’t race’ over the summer to improve drainage in the Boat Park and we are going to stick with it and keep trying with a different I have asked Christopher Moir to clear all the old boats format. We will be using the Saturday race as the basis with out as well as looking at trimming some of the trees that a rigging and boat set up discussion and advice beforehand. constantly interfere with your burgees! In the race itself your club ‘pro’ will follow in a chase boat offering advice and taking live video which will be discussed On the Clubhouse nothing but a major redevelopment will afterwards. We expect to be able to run one each month do! So I think it is fair to warn you that anything we do will throughout the summer so watch this space for more be costly. After the Development Plan is published we will information and dates. start looking for resources, both financial and otherwise to assist in the redevelopment. In the last edition of ‘Afloat’ we sent out a Club-wide Survey to try and elicit what you, the members, thought about your In the meantime Wednesday sailing has begun with a very Club. The ‘your’ in that sentence is very important because good attendance for the intitial sessions, the water is already it is your Club and the Committees job is to represent your up to 15 degrees on the surface and the wind is blowing. views. We needed to get your view on the Club’s future so How can you not enjoy your summer at beautiful Weir that we could put a Club Development Plan together that Wood. will then be discussed at an Extraordinary Meeting later in the year. Our plan is then to start implementing the From our Foreign Correspondent Development Plan soon after that. The first point to make about the Survey was that we received, in the end, over 100 Michael responses, or 25% of the membership. This is a pretty good The Ed received the following dispatch from response for a voluntary club and gives us comfort that the Mike Ramus who was racing big boats in the views expressed in it are representative. It gives us a real Carribean: basis for the Club Development Plan. “We nearly sank today after a spectacular broach on the first Afloat A summary of the results is included with the ‘Enclosures’ race. The boat went horizontal and threatened to invert. but I will pick out the main points as I see it. Firstly in the I was trapped in the middle. Yet again it felt like a general question ‘What is your overall opinion of the Club?’ capsize and I was trapped unable to climb up. The water

the answer aggregated out at 4.36 out of a possible 5 where

rose to within inches of the open hatchway but Solent Girl Spring 2011 5 represents very good. Out of 10 we got 8.72! Given that we chose to right herself. The spinnaker was now full about 30 cannot be everything to all men I think this is a very, very feet downwind. creditable score. As Commodore I would like to express my With his superhuman abilities, Roger was able to pull in the delight that members are generally so satisfied with what we spinnaker sheet, and we could finish the race. Before the are trying to achieve. race Roger insisted on putting knot ends to the spinnaker In terms of what you wanted your committee to concentrate sheets. Had he not there was no way to pull the spinnaker on for the future there was a pretty clear requirement to halyard down. One of the knots came undone. 3 improve the Clubhouse. In both qualitative and quantative The crew were so shattered we withdrew for the rest of the response this came out time and time again with the Ladies day. Changing rooms coming in for particular criticism. It’s hardly surprising when it is appreciated that the Clubhouse Bye for now celebrates its 42nd year this year. Everybody knows it is past its sell by date. I think it’s fair to say that this will be a real theme of the Development Plan. The other major areas are Sailing Secretary’s but this time we also had a fresh Easterly breeze. Weir Wood was at Scribblings its beautiful best and I am sure our David Giles visitors went away impressed by the We have had the most fantastic run of well organised and run event. A full warm sunny weather that I can ever report appears later in “Afloat” but remember for the time of year. It has congratulations to Steve Jannering been good seeing so many members form Wembley Sailing Club who came out on the reservoir and as I write I out on top and our Laser class captain can see no end to the sunshine in the Olly Bush for being top Weir Wood immediate future. The problem when Laser finishing in second place. we get little or no rain for a prolonged The Laser Youth group is running J David Giles period is the reservoir water level falls well. This is the new initiative by Weir but to date it seems to be holding up Wood, under the watchful eye of Chris Peter Vincent. There will be a limit well so this is the perfect time to get on Hopkins, to help our youth sailors who on the number of places available but the water and enjoy some sailing. have grown out of the master priority will be given to Weir Wood club members over non Weir Wood Sunday 27th March saw our annual the Laser dinghy. I had the opportunity members. The event is advertised on club championship take place. We of coaching a session a few weeks had a lovely sunny day for it although ago and I was very impressed by the the RS website. we could probably have done with number of youths who turned up to Wednesday evening sailing starts this some more wind. Congratulations to sail and by the high standard of sailing week (Wednesday 4th May). For the Jon Ching and Peter Jenkins sailing they were achieving. It was good to first three weeks the racing starts at an RS 400. They were worthy winners see four of this group competing in the 7.00pm and then reverts to 7.30pm. and will be immortalised on the Laser Open meeting this weekend. The emphasis for Wednesday sailing club championship winner board in The next open meeting will be for is fun and socialising so if you find due course. There were many other the Laser 2000 on Saturday 11th Sunday morning a bit intimidating winners, a full list of which, plus a June followed by the RS 200 open on this is a great way to ease yourself into write up and pictures, appears later in Sunday 3rd. July and the Enterprises racing at Weir Wood and unwind after this edition of “Afloat”. on Sunday 17th July. On the Saturday work all at the same time. There will We have just held our annual Laser before the RS 200 Open there will be a be food available after the race and the Open Event, again in glorious sunshine RS 200 Training day with RS 200 Guru bar will be open.

Social News Not much to report on the Social Front since the last edition. Wednesday Jean Chisnall evening sailing has started with the usual après sail food and there was a very good turnout for the first Joke Wednesday. So good that all the food and all the reserve food went and one Spring 2011 Distressed English Sailor: poor sailor still went without. Sorry "We're sinking, w'ere sinking!" Dave! German Coast guard: The next main social event is on "Vot are you sinking about?" Saturday 25th June with the “Picnic Afloat and Proms”. This year we are being 4 entertained by the Mid Sussex Concert band again who played so well for us last year. Gates open from about 6 pm. Bring your own picnics and drinks. BBQ’s will be provided and the bar will be open.

D Jean Chisnall Laser ramblings Congrats to David who, it’s fair to say, Lancing is the first of these on Sunday bamboozled all before him. Let’s not 22nd May. Get it in the diaries! Olly Bush let him win so easily next year! Great Aside from the Opens, Messrs to see the likes of Chris and Tony up Young and Peters have been testing there and Roddy Ley our first visitor. themselves against the Olympians on As part of the series we had a training the European Circuit (they did well not day given by Powell followed by to come last if you ask me!) and the old a curry. Conditions weren’t ideal for fogies amongst us will be competing sailing of any sort, but we made the on the Masters Circuit. best of the day with a lot of tacking Back home, we’ll have another Fast and gybing practice. My personal top and Furious event in June or July timed takeaway from the day was not to do to get the youths out in force. We’ve such big angles on my gybes (i.e. the got a great group at the moment, pumps are big, but a bit pointless as I spearheaded by upcoming stars Verity, zoom off in the wrong direction). Fiona and David. Before too long I’m With all this club racing and training sure most of us will be following in behind us, it hasn’t been a surprise their wakes. to see WWSC sailors dominating the See you out on the water! Open Circuit so far. David Giles just Olly G Olly Bush pipped David Binding at the Bough Beech and, aside from 1st place in the [email protected] Hello! full rigs, it was a Weir Wood Clean 07890 698629 Sweep at our Open (see David’s write- Very rambling this time as am up below). Next up are the sea events Olly’s younger brother, Nick, is well absolutely exhausted after sailing known in the Laser Fleet so couldn’t which are well worth turning up to. four days in a row for the first time resist including these photos sent by a The lumpy stuff is a bit different from for years. This weekend has been the well wisher. what we’re used to, but a lot of fun best sailing weather I can remember when you get things right downwind. Ed – sunny, warm and wind ranging from force 3-6 right down the lake all weekend. I pity those who missed out! March, let alone January, seems like a long time ago now. But the Christmas Cracker series was a lot of fun and I’m grateful that so many turned out. In fact we had 53 entries in the whole Afloat series. It was great to be joined by four visitors, Roddy Ley, Martin Walker, Martin Lown and Nick Rae, all of whom were fantastic additions to the

Laser fleet. We hope to see them next Spring 2011 year. A Oh Dear. I'm gone!

The Results: 1. David Giles 2. Pete Young 3. Olly Bush 5 4. Chris Fyans 5. Tony Boulton 6. Paul Luttman 7. Neil Peters 8. Roddy Ley A Now where did Olly say this fitted? Cruising Notes Weir Wood Crusing gets off the starting line

Mike Summers As this issue of the magazine goes to press, the Cruising Section (we are going to have to think of a better name…) are gearing up for our first Cruising Saturday which falls on the first Saturday of each month, and by happy coincidence is on the same day as the Club Open Day. So by the time you read this we will have got off the clubhouse sofas and into our boats for a bit of Cruising action. If you would like to join us see the Cruising pages on the website for dates G She's afloat of future Cruising Saturdays and also watch the website for news of expeditions, outings and general happenings. And talking of going somewhere (else) we have some ideas for future outings including a few days trip to the Norfolk The Open Day provided an opportunity to show the visiting Broads; Tom Haddon has some good ideas where to stay public another aspect of the club and I hope we will attract and which parts of the Broads to visit. We also plan day- new members for whom Swallows and Amazons may be of trips to Itchenor to sail Chichester Harbour and the Medway as much interest as the racing scene. A few of us camped looks interesting around Upnor and Chatham, has anyone overnight and I tried out my new boat tent that fits over the got experience of these or other waters? boom and creates a surprisingly spacious and comfortable home from home. Further afield there is the Lake District, Poole Harbour, we are only limited by our imagination and how far we want to tow our boats. Looking back to the beginning of April, a few of us got together to launch Kez, my new/old that has been in refurbishment for an embarrassingly long time. Tony Carter took the photographs which are on the website, just follow the links from the Cruising Pages. The refurbishment took me to several places I did not want to go and there may be some future articles about repairing star-crazed impact damage, cracks and holes. If you have the time there is very little that cannot be fixed on your GRP boat.

A A toast to Kes & the Cruising Section I bought Kez with the intention of preparing her to cruise, a Wayfarer is a dry boat and big enough for crew and camping So what is the Cruising Section about? I am glad you asked kit. If your boat does not tick these boxes, don’t be put off as that, because whilst we have a few good ideas about wanting at least two Wayfarer owners in the cruising section do not to use our boats for a bit of getting out there and seeing have regular crew so there is space for all. parts that others can’t reach, we need the members to say what it is they really want. It is a new group in the club and we very much need you to share your ideas with us on what

Spring 2011 you want to do next.

We will be holding activities and learning experiences at the reservoir, all geared up to preparing us for sailing on more open water elsewhere (if you want to) as well as making best use of the beautiful venue that is Weir Wood. Treasure Afloat hunts based on fiendish clues hidden on marker buoys 6 tucked into corners of the lake, navigation exercises, relay races (in boats), techniques for anchoring the boat while under sail, rafting up for a picnic… anyone got any more ideas? A She's sailing Cruising is about using our boats to go somewhere and If cruising sounds interesting come and join us. The website explore a bit. The reservoir is a great place to spend a day would be a good place to start and you will be able to email and if you want to extend the experience, then the Cruising me from there or call me on 07917 460662. Section is a bunch of people who are less into racing , more into using their boats to go somewhere. Swallows and Amazons forever! Weir Wood Club Championships 2011 Sunday 27th March

David Giles - Sailing Secretary Warm sunshine, clear skies, 20 Celsius and a patchy easterly wind? It must be time for the club championships again. With a near carbon copy of last year’s conditions 49 Weir Wood members entered the premiere club event of the season, the Weir wood Club championships. This was one entry up on last year despite most of the Optimist fleet being away. J Kes ready for camping The format followed last years with two handicap races in the morning, one of which could be discarded, and a pursuit race in the afternoon. Race management was in the capable hands of Ernie Hatton and Peter Clifton. Race one started on time with a slightly pin end bias line. The course was windward leeward with a leeward gate. David Giles and Fiona Harrington shot off the line and disappeared as if they were in a race of their own. As it turned out they were, having been judged over the start line at the gun. Meanwhile the two RS 400’s of Colin and Tony Prince and John Ching and Peter Jenkins were pulling away from the rest of the fleet until the of Matt Larkin and Paul Jenkins caught the slightest of gusts and roared J You can even sail in your sleep into the lead. In the chasing pack Matt Giles and Emily Giles in an RS 200 along with Nick Bush and Nick Rae The Cruising initiative has already taken off. See elsewhere in in an Enterprise looked well placed to take the race on "Afloat" for the trip across to the Isle of Whight by two of our handicap. The leading three boats were given an extra lap Stratos crews. (Is the plural of Stratos "Strati"?) Ed to sail and with the wind freshening slightly extended their lead enough to take overall race honours with Jon Ching winning from the Prince Brothers, Bush, Larkin and Giles RS100 News For race two the course was changed to a “round the and other things cans” format so that a there were also some reaching legs. The wind had dropped generally and become patchier Ed so it was vital to keep your eyes out of the boat to spot

The Ed was invited to take any relevant news from the RS the gusts of wind that blew through the course. Again Afloat 100 Blog. However, apart from the fact that the site content the RS 400’s quickly established a lead on the water with was changing so frequently the Ed was perplexed about the the International 14 struggling in the stop start breeze. relevance of much of it and sailing. What has Schrödinger’s David Giles was handily placed just behind the 400’s with Paul Luttman and Colin Hatton in their RS 100’s also well Cat and Lorenz Transformations got to do with the subject? Spring 2011 I consulted all my Quantum mechanics textbooks but got up. This group benefitted from not becoming becalmed nowhere. And what about building bird tables that are around buoy one and pulled out a large gap on the rest of squirrel proof? Most ingenious. How about developing the fleet. It looked like the RS 400’s would win on handicap something for squirrel proofing your boat when in the boat but just as they crossed the finish line the breeze filled in park? allowing the chasing boats to quickly cover the distance left to the finish line. Giles and Harrington closed the gap None the less there is some very relevant and of course on the RS 400’s enough to take overall honours with youth 7 exceedingly amusing stuff on the site so rather than me try David Hoar in a Laser 4.7 doing well to register a third and capture it visit wwsc.blogspot.com place just behind Ching and Jenkins. Fourth and fifth were Incidentally I thought I would have a peep into the the RS 100’s of Paul Luttman and Colin Hatton Youth social network on Bebo. This proved to be equally Going in to the lunch break Giles and Ching were taking a challenging. I clearly need to go on a modern languages win into the afternoon pursuit race, Prince a second, Hoar course as I couldn’t understand a word of the introductory and Bush a third, Luttman and Larkin a fourth and Matt page. And as for the jokes! I wouldn’t dare include them in Giles and Hatton a fifth. It was probable that the overall “Afloat” for fear of corrupting the kids. winner would come from this group. continued over Weir Wood Club Championships 2011 Club Wood Weir Spring 2011

Afloat 8 Weir Wood Club Championships 2011 Afloat

Spring 2011

9 Weir Wood Club Championships 14 is not really suited to Weir Wood reservoir. Rounding out the top three was David Giles and Fiona Harrington in an 2011continued RS 200. David Giles - Sailing Secretary As with other years there were several “spot” prizes for those First away in the afternoon pursuit race (that had to who did not make it into the top three places, only those be counted) was the Laser 4.7. The wind had all but outside the top three were eligible for these. First Master disappeared and just the occasional ruffled the (helm over 50 years of age) went to Colin Hatton who lake surface making progress very slow. Class after class finished in fifth place in his RS 100. First lady was awarded drifted off the line as their start time arrived. However as to Janine Blundel in 7th place sailing an RS 200. First youth the last boats started the wind began to fill again giving the helm was David Hoar in 17th place sailing a Laser 4.7. quicker boats an advantage. Probably the most advantaged The loving trophy is awarded to the first placed husband and was the international 14 of Larkin and Jenkins who were wife team. This was won by Martin and Julie Pascoe in an able to “double wire” off the start line and very rapidly RS 200. The family trophy is for the first placed team from passed the boats ahead of them. The 14 took the lead the same family. This was awarded to Colin and Tony Prince about half way through the pursuit race and went on to sailing an RS 400. The Endeavour trophy is awarded to the win by a country mile. The battle for second place was on. least well placed boat that completes all three races. Popular With wind strengths varying in different parts of the race winner of this was John and Jean Chisnall sailing a Laser course fortunes ebbed and flowed. The RS 200 of Giles and 2000. Harrington sailed into second place about 45 minutes into the race just ahead of Martin and Julie Pascoe in another RS Finally the Duckhams award is for the competitor who 200. These two, however, were being chased down by the RS manages the biggest “bloomer” of the day. There were three 400’s. The leading RS 400 of Ching and Jenkins took second finalists for this award. In third place was David Giles who place with about 15 minutes to go and the second RS 400 managed the only OCS of the day. Second place went to third with about five minutes to go. Also closing in on the Peter Young who managed to forget the only essential piece 200’s were the RS 100 of Hatton and the of Mike of sailing clothing required to sail, his life jacket. Winner by Uher. As the finish time arrived the finishing order was a mile though was David Wyle. Somehow, despite repeated Larkin, Ching, Prince, Giles, Pascoe, Hatton and Uher. media warnings that the clocks were going forward by an hour, David managed to be oblivious of this rather The race results were published within an hour of the important development. Consequently when the time came pursuit race finish, a great tribute to the mathematical to go sailing David was still in bed asleep! prowess of Barbara Hatton and Tabatha Ching who were calculating the results. First overall was John and Peter All Club Championship Photos by Capture Images. Jenkins in an RS 400 who was never out of the top two all day and thoroughly deserved their new title of club champions 2011. Second place went to the International 14 of Matt Larkin and Paul Jenkins, a great result given that the Weir Wood Laser the afternoon. Race one started in chancing their arm by taking onto port about 12 kts of breeze and a slightly without the room to do so emerged Open and Grand Prix committee boat bias start line. Rob Olly Bush and Bruce Ramshaw from 2011 Janering from Wembley made the best Weir Wood unscathed and sailing off job of working out the shifty wind into the distance. Also getting away Spring 2011

David Giles to round first followed by his cousin cleanly was Steve Curl from Chipstead. Weir Wood held its annual Laser Steve Janering, also from Wembley. By the time the rest of the fleet had Open on Saturday 30th April. Unlike These two sailed into a hole on the sorted itself out these three were away the previous two years the event was first downwind leg allowing a group never to be caught. blessed with perfect sailing conditions, Afloat of boats led by Sergio Messina and unbroken sunshine and a gusty easterly After lunch on the sun drenched Dave Goddard to sail through. Steve wind which ranged between 10 and 15 Weir Wood balcony overlooking the 10 Janering fought back to second place kts. The format for the day was for five reservoir it was back to the fray. The but Messina held on for the win with races, two in the morning and three in wind had built further and was gusting Goddard third. the afternoon. and shifting more. These conditions The wind had increased slightly for suited Steve Janering who worked his Principal race officers Ernie Hatton race two and just before the start gun way to the front of all three afternoon and Peter Clifton set a windward/ a Starboard header made the start line races to take three wins. Behind him leeward course for the two morning very pin end bias. From the resulting in race three Olly Bush was putting in races and an Olympic type course for chaos caused by several of the boats another good result leading at the first buoy and only being overtaken by Back to Basic Rules Janering. David Giles, also from Weir Wood, rounded off the top three. Ed The Ed is not that hot on subtleties the Rules; his knowledge is really pinned to Race four saw Tim Hulley (Weir the few really basics which is enough to keep him out of trouble and insist on his Wood) sail an excellent downwind rights when necessary. leg to take the lead before being worn down by Janering, Giles and Messina. A few Sundays ago sailing the Laser 2000 he was approaching No 2 Buoy (the The race finished in this order. windward mark) on starboard. Another boat (who shall remain nameless) was approaching the same buoy on port. We reached the buoy just ahead of the other The final race began in the strongest boat calling “Starboard” and rounded the mark. But after our tack had been wind of the day with gusts up to 20kts. completed the other boat ploughed into our stern. We called for them to do their Rob Janering made another appearance penalty turns but they refused saying that they were within 3 boat lengths of the at the front of the fleet with Ollie Bush mark and therefore had right of way. We, according to them, should have born and Steve Janering close behind. These away and gone round their stern. three got away on the first downwind sequence but were gradually caught The Ed, being a fairly relaxed bloke when sailing didn’t protest them and by Giles giving a very tight finish for continued the debate when ashore. They stuck to their line so the Ed, who for second, third and fourth. In the end it once was fairly sure of his rights, took learned counsel’s advice. finished Steve Janering, Rob Janering, Rule 18 which deals with “mark room” does not apply at a windward mark. It Bush and Giles. is a simple Port and Starboard situation. It is a windward mark if you have had All these results were thrown into mix to complete at least on tack to get there. Also you must have completed your by Barbara Hatton who quickly and manoeuvre at the mark otherwise you have no rights. competently emerged with the final So the Ed was in the right. Please take note “other boat” (I expect you know who standings. Comfortably first was Steve you are!) Janering followed by Olly Bush and David Giles. Running parallel to the Rig open was the Laser 4.7/Radial open meeting. The Radial was won by Alex Matthews and the 4.7 by Verity Hopkins.

An Interesting Historical Tit Bit Abandoned boats for sale Ed Mr and Mrs Ed have been on their travels again, this time Afloat The club has the following boats for sale: to Turkey to see some of the historical sites including Pergamum, Ephesus and Troy. Troy is located just inland at Enterprise A. GRP, wooden deck, , boom, cover, the entrance to the Dardanelles or as the Greeks called it the launching trolley. No sails. £75

Hellespont. The Dardanelles lead into the Sea of Mammara Spring 2011 and then to the Black Sea via the Bosphorus. The ancient Enterprise B GRP. mast, boom, cover, launching civilisations were keen for access to the Black Sea for trade trolley. No sails. £75 and no doubt some good old fashioned rape and pillage. However, they hadn’t cracked up wind sailing; they could Enterprise C GRP. mast, boom, cover, launching only sail with the wind. trolley. No sails £75 The prevailing winds direction for the Dardanelles is from 11 505. GRP. on trolley, No sails .£75 the north east and this prevented those intrepid seamen easy access to the Black Sea until there was a favourable Bits of Mirrors. offers invited change in the wind direction. So they needed somewhere to wait. Troy is situated just inland from the sea on a low Please contact Christopher Moir for more details. mound that looks out over a low plane. It is a good defensive position and an ideal location to wait for favourable weather. [email protected] And so what is probably one of the most famous cities in the world was probably founded because of the wind. KNOW YOUR RACE SIGNALS – A selection of the signals used at Weir Wood Sailing Club

NOTE: The raising and lowering of a signal flag is always accompanied by a sound signal Start and pre-start Starting signals- Warning 5 mins – Preparatory 4 mins – Preparatory removed 1 minute (starting penalties apply) - START

Postponement - Code flag ‘AP’ – 2 sound signals - -Raised before the Warning signal Races not started are postponed. e warning signal will be made 1 minute after removal

? Warning – Class flag (as SI’s) – 1 sound signal - Raised on 5 minute signal and lowered on the Start signal.

Preparatory - Code flag ‘P’ – 1 sound signal - Raised on 4 minute signal and lowered on 1 minute signal. is is the normal preparatory signal with no starting penalties in effect. A boat over the line at the start can return through the line or round an end. A boat returning to start must keep clear of boats starting.

OR starting penalty

Round an end - Code flag ‘I’- 1 sound signal - Raised on 4 minute signal and lowered on 1 minute signal. e Round-an-End Rule 30.1 is in effect. A boat over the line during the minute before the start must sail to the pre-start side of the line around either end before starting.

OR starting penalty

20% penalty - Code flag ‘Z’ – 1 sound signal - Raised on 4 minute signal and lowered on 1 minute signal. e 20% Penalty Rule 30.2 is in effect. A boat within the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark during the minute before the start will receive a 20% scoring penalty as specified in Rule 44.3(c). (20% of the number entered- rounded up- or as dictated by the sailing instructions)

OR starting penalty

over Code flags ‘I’ & ‘Z’ – 1 sound signal - Raised on 4 minute signal and lowered on 1 minute signal. Both the Round an End Rule and the 20% Penalty Rule will be in effect during the minute before the start.

OR starting penalty

Black flag – 1 sound signal - Raised on 4 minute signal and lowered on 1 minute signal. e Black Flag Rule 30.3 will be in effect. A boat within the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark during the minute before the start will be disqualified.

Recall and Abandonment signals

Individual recall - Code flag ‘X’ - A second sound signal in addition to the start sound signal will be made. e ‘X’ flag is displayed until the earliest of the following-: all boats over the line have returned correctly, or for four minutes from the start signal or until one minute before the next start.

General recall - Code flag ‘First Substitute’ - Two sound signals in addition to the start signal will be made.

Spring 2011 Signalled when there are unidentified boats over the line or subject to one of the starting penalties, or there has been an error in the starting procedure. e new warning signal for the recalled fleet will be made 1 minute after the First Substitute is removed. Afloat Abandonment - Code flag ‘N’- 3 sound signals will be made (In addition to any start signal already made) 12 All races are abandoned. Return to the starting area. A warning signal will be made 1 minute after N is removed. Other signals

Shortened course - Code flag ‘S’ – 2 sound signals as first boat rounds the penultimate mark Course has been shortened, sail direct to the finish line. When displayed at a rounding mark the finish is between that mark and the committee boat mast displaying flag S

Committee boat on station (No sound signal) – Blue flag When displayed at the start or finishing line means: e race committee boat is in position on the line. Weir Wood Pursuit Races late- too bad. Even your race team cannot wind the clock back! Note that there is no requirement to raise or lower Ernie Hatton class flags. Your Editor was posed this comment and passed it on to me Finishes for reply- There are many methods for finishing a pursuit race; the “One question that several folk asked after the pursuit race following is my preferred procedure. was, how do you work out the final positions with people finishing at different points at different times? As the predetermined finish time approaches the race officer team in the committee boat, accompanied by two support I have thought hard on this and concluded that there may be boats, shadow the leading boat. Having watched the race other queries regarding pursuit racing so I have decided to unfold we know which boat is in the lead. When we feel go through the whole procedure one step at a time. But first, safe to assume the area in which the lead boat will be at some of what I write is taken from the RYA Pursuit Race the end of the race duration, we position the committee publication so a credit is due to the RYA. And second, there boat adjacent to the next mark of the course and position a are many options for finishing a pursuit race and I have only support boat adjacent to the two penultimate marks. explained my preference. Objective When the finish time arrives we sound the hooter on the committee boat, we synchronise this with the hooter in Boats start at different times related to the Portsmouth the race hut. This gives all competitors the best chance Number (PN) of their boat. The objective behind a pursuit of knowing the race time limit has expired. At this time race is that if boats of all classes are sailed by crews of equal the position of each boat in the race is ’theoretically’ their ability, they should all cross the finish line together. (If this finishing position , but we cannot possibly note the sail happened it would make finishing a nightmare and I for one numbers in sequence all at the same time, so there is a would never attempt running a pursuit race). So a pursuit compromise. race is like a handicap race in reverse, i.e. the handicap is The race control team, in the committee boat, note the applied at the START not at the FINISH, hence individual leading boats as they round the finish buoy- giving each a finish times are not relevant and are not recorded. hoot and watching closely for any out of time place changes Race Duration (RD) that may occur on this, the last, leg. The support boats note The race has to be for a fixed duration, one which is long each finisher as it rounds their mark- giving each a whistle. enough for the faster boats but not excessive for slower These support boats are recording the second and last boats. I usually settle on a RD of 120 minutes for the slowest batches of boats finishing. By compiling the three lists into boat, which could well be an Optimist, giving about 60 one long list we will have a record of the finishing positions minutes racing for the fastest boat. (Input on a preferred RD for the whole fleet. This method admittedly does give faster from other dinghy sailors would be appreciated by the race boats the opportunity to pass slower boats before their next team) mark but there is considerably less place changing than Length of course waiting for all boats to cross the committee boat finish line. In our experience the relatively minor place changing that I try to set a course with a lap long enough to avoid too takes place has never affected the prize winners list in the many early starters on their second lap, getting mixed up Club Championship. with later starters beginning their first lap.

Starting times Portsmouth Number adjustment Afloat (a controversial subject which I choose to ignore) An individual boat’s start time is related to the start time of the slowest boat and is calculated using their Portsmouth PNs are based on handicap racing in which the fastest Number (PN) and the Race Duration (RD). I have written boats are soon sailing in clean air while slower boats sail in

disturbed air throughout the race. The opposite applies in

a spread sheet which lists all classes with their PN, (PNs are Spring 2011 updated annually by the RYA). On this spread sheet I enter a pursuit, the slower boats sail mainly in clean air and the either, or both, the RD and/or the PN of the slowest boat, faster boats have to sail in continually disturbed air trying to this automatically calculates the start time for each class and overtake a succession of slower boats. rounds it up or down to the nearest 15 seconds. I can also Therefore-Slower boats do not need as much start as their add classes on the day that are not listed. regular PN would indicate and faster boats need a little help! Starts My reason for ignoring this is: When did a slow boat last win the pursuit race? So why disadvantage them further. The first (slowest) boat start is indicated by the usual 13 5,4,1 START sequence, and we ask (insist) all competitors Finally I must quote verbatim from the RYA Pursuit Race synchronise with the start signal. They then have publication- countdown running to their start time and a RD time. After “The positions of boats when the RD time elapses are the first start we give a start signal for every class entered. the finishing places, but these are almost impossible to As with handicap racing, because competitors will have define.” synchronised their watches, we expect them to know where they are in the start sequence. (We do try to announce the Makes you wonder why pursuit races are so popular next class to start over the PA, but this should not be relied doesn’t it! upon). If a class starts early we call them back, if they start Celebrating our Seniors in the run up to the operation and I thought he looked remarkably cheerful in the circumstances although it was obviously difficult for him to get comfortable with all the Our Youth have quite justifiably featured up front in recent tubes and attachments that have to travel round with him. issues of “Afloat” so I thought it was time to boast the He is due to have a swallowing test on Monday and if that prowess of some of our more senior members. Defining proves to be successful he may then be fitted up with his “Senior” is an arbitrary business in these changing times artificial voice box and Jack aims to be back home in time when pensionable ages are being changed and people are for Easter. He will then be attended by health visitors until tending to stay much more active for longer. So without they are satisfied that he is fit and has mastered his new giving away any personal secrets I have spoken to those who health care regime. I'm sure welcome home / get well cards race regularly and who I think justifiably can be considered would be appreciated. “Senior”. (And the Editor doesn’t qualify for this title yet!). They are a very reserved and modest lot and I had to work Inevitably it will be some time before he is fully fit to receive quite hard to get them to talk about themselves. It’s a visitors or is allowed out to play. However he does seem salutary fact that their combined ages add up to just under to be getting somewhat grandiose ideas. He "tells" me that 600 years! big boats are alright for him to sail and I think I have been "talked into" arranging a trip on a Thames Barge for him And here’s another point to ponder on. Our senior sailors sometime in the future! generally didn’t start sailing until in their 20’s or later. They didn’t have the opportunities that our youngsters have with He wants to maintain contact with his many WWSC friends Oppy Club and Sunday afternoon Youth Groups. and would be delighted to hear from them. But be warned, two Crawley Mariners have already equipped him with Jack Thomas a series of Flash Cards that will enable him to respond succinctly to enquires with a "Yes" "No" or indeed "B*****r Jack has been sailing at Weir Wood for more years than anyone can remember and has raced regularly all year round Off". So far these have remained in the bottom of his locker on Sunday mornings. Since I have known him he has sailed where they are hidden away from the Hospital staff but I'm a Wayfarer and latterly a Magno. Jack has sailed with a not sure how long he will be able to resist the temptation to number of different crews who have been very fortunate to try them out. I'll ensure that he has another card that says sail with him. No ambiguity with his commands. They were "Thanks".” direct and could be heard from one end of the lake to the We all wish Jack a speedy return to full health so that he can other particularly if the crew didn’t get it quite right. continue living his life with all his usual the enthusiasm. We Unfortunately Jack has recently had to give up shall all miss his unique style on Sunday mornings. for health reasons and has recently undergone some serious Vic Hopkins surgery from which he is now recovering. He was very fed up about this as he had intended to carry on until he Vic sails every Sunday morning with his regular crew was 90. Well he isn’t that far short so that has been a great Kevin. Kevin doesn’t qualify anywhere near yet as a senior achievement. so he will have to wait for some time for a full write up on His most recent sailing companion, his crewing abilities. Steve Laurenson, has visited Jack in Vic’s interest in sailing started back hospital and here is the latest report in 1955 when he was asked by one of

Spring 2011 as he was in mid April.

his work colleagues to help build a “I went to see Jack Thomas yesterday 505. They sailed on the Blackwater at in the Royal Surrey County Hospital Malden. Having completed a dinghy in Guildford. He had his operation sailing course he was a founder member

Afloat ten days ago but still can't eat, drink of the Arlesey Sailing Clubnear Hitchen or indeed speak.He did however "ask" in Befordshire. (Now known as North 14 me, by means of a series of notes, to Herts East Beds) let you all know how he is getting on. Vic and his young family moved to He has been visited daily by Grace Ashurstwood in the middle 1960’s and and one or other of his team of built his own boat, a , in his daughters who have developed their garage. She was called “Acid Drop” and own rota to stay with her whilst he the tradition of naming subsequent is away. Despite all the trauma he is Hopkins family boats after sweeties has Vic Hopkins putting on weight that he had lost D continued. Vic joined Weir Wood when it was not thought about the tides norr the winter only sailing and hulls had dropping wind! Needless to say we to be decontaminated before being took ages getting back and worst of all launched. He bought an old Enterprise arriving at low tide, we were stuck in and raced with his son Chris. In those the mud some distance away from the days the Ent fleet numbered a dozen or beech and campsite. I had to anchor so boats. the boat in the mud and we all had to wade knee deep through the mud In 1975 Vic and his family moved up to the beach and camp site. You can north to work and found the sailing imagine we were greeted with great up there just as competitive. Whilst guffaws of laughter by our fellow up there he had an Enterprise built for campers. In the morning I swam out to him and is still sailng the same boat, bring the boat back to the beach. “Capricorn”. He came back to Weir Wood and sailed with a number of In 1965 I changed careers to become different crews including Fiona Clark a full time youth worker. Part of and Tess before teaming up with the training was an introduction Kevin. G Peter Gusterson to outdoor sports and activities, I chose Sailing as one of my activities Vic is one of those who has the without any mishaps. I was hooked! and started to receive some proper pleasure of seeing third generations When I got home to Dagenham I instruction. At my first appointment come through. Vic’s son, Chris has discovered a small Lake with an island a member of the management played a key part in Club activities called Matchstick Island where there committee introduced me to Cobnor, especially currently on the Youth scene were for hire so I went first using his Wayfarer and then and granddaughters Verity and Millie on my own to have a go but it was the centre’s Wayfarers and 's. are making their mark. a day and the man in charge I very soon began to climb the RYA I asked Vic why he kept competing asked “Do you have any experience?” Coaching ladder eventually gaining regularly. Because of the hour in the tin boat Coach Qualification. I had many I was honestly able to say “yes”. The happy years running courses for young “I love the sheer joy of being on the man looked at me oddly and said I people from Crawley and sometimes water and sailing keeps me fit and was too small and that I should bring advanced courses for Teachers. My alert. With sailing there is always a bigger friend to help me sail it. I coach qualification was a bit wasted something to learn and I still get a cycled off, came back with a friend and because I did not have the time or when it all comes together and had a hair raising sail but thoroughly the opportunities as my main job was we do well. And of course I have made enjoyed it. We went back on a number general youth work. Teaching sailing a lot of good friends at Weir Wood and of occasions after that. (Many years was always voluntary. enjoy the Club’s friendly atmosphere later I took my fiancé to the same lake both on and off the water.” I have been a member of WWSC since

when there were slightly bigger and Afloat 1982, I was introduced by Rosemary more stable boats, I showed off and Peter Gusterson Wearmoth (now R. Saunders Davies) capsized the boat. She was furious to help restore and sail her Flying 15. I was about 12 years old when I went but we still got married.) Apart from She is now widowed and living in on a School Camp Holiday to Looe in the few occasions sailing with my

Cornwall. Weir Wood is just a fantastic Spring 2011 Cornwall. I saw some little tin boats future wife, I had a long gap without place to be and the sailing club has with short masts and a single sail on sailing at all. This was partly due to always been very friendly. a stretch of water which was I think being conscripted into the RAF and a lagoon fed by the sea. They were being sent to Iraq for two years. After I have sailed many boats since the tin for hire by the hour; no previous getting demobbed. I started a youth boat in Cornwall. Apart from those experience required and looked good club and took them camping to East already mentioned, there were various fun so I decided to have a go. I was Mercea in Essex to a camp site close the best being a Royal Navy given basic instructions on how to to the beach. I thought it would be Racing in the Solent due to 15 move the stick at the back to make nice to have a boat there so I went to my CPO Son’s connections. Others the boat go where I wanted and some West Mercia and hired a Gaff rigged include Topper, Mini Sail, Leader, idea of what to do with the string that clinker built Dinghy. Looking at an , Enterprise, 470, worked the sail. So off I went with a ordinance survey map I thought it Laser etc. This list is all boats owned last minute instruction of “don’t bash would be a nice trip for four of us to by others. I did not own a boat until into the other boats. I managed to sail to Brightlingsea and back. On I was semi-retired at the age of 60. sail around a bit and got back to base the trip there was a breeze but I had It was when Rosemary’s Flying 15 broke up that I managed to buy a We bought a road trailer and ordered a commodore at the time. . I kept the Lightning for ten kit from Smallcraft of Hedge End When we joined WWSC in the early years and during that time competed near Southampton. After a few weeks 60’s there was no club house. We had at open meetings at Weir Wood, it was nearly ready for collection; a to park down by the pumping station Cotswold SC, Whitstable SC and the planked up hull, sets of drawings, and drag the boats up the hill after first 1997 Nationals at Grafham Water. I lots of pieces of timber and marine spraying them with disinfectant against finished somewhere in the middle of plywood, packs of brass screws to turn a disease that could have infected the the fleet on most occasions except it into a dinghy. fish stocks. We were not kitted out for the Nationals in 1997 as the wind It was quite a big job. We worked on it serious winter sailing but we bought conditions were too strong for me, I early in the morning and late evenings two kits and made DIY wet suits. I still did not come last and I enjoyed the and days off. Ken was very fussy. had mine when I started sailing with experience. Some of these events were It had to be perfect. He did all the John Prince in 1992. shared with Mark Giles other boat, the skilled work. I was the human clamp Supernova. Two of these boats started Ken always went to the London Boat holding things whilst they were drilled, to appear regularly at Weir Wood and Show and we went as usual in 1971 screwed into position, and at the end I decided to sell the Lightning and without a shopping list. At the end of of the session clearing up the mess! purchase a second hand Supernova. the day we had signed an agreement to This is a much nicer boat to sail. It At last it was finished and ready for purchase a 4 berth sailing cruiser with is comfortable, easier to right and is painting. Polyurethane paints were a lifting keel. In the waiting weeks fairly fast. My only problem is I am too being marketed in 1962 by a division we scoured the south coast for a nice small and too light to sail it in strong of British Paints called Little Ship. Our mooring and located one in Bosham or gusty conditions. I have not taken consignment was delivered by van and in Chichester Estuary. Bosham is a part in any Supernova open events as for the next week or so my job in life delightful place to have a mooring. I think I would not be able to be very was to paint. I remember in being a bit You don’t step off a pontoon on to competitive. I usually race at Weir late one day in returning to the house your boat in line with lots of other Wood Saturdays and Wednesdays but to prepare the next meal carrying a boats. You have an inflatable dinghy for health reasons have sailed only a paint rag which I carelessly dumped and an outboard motor and your boat few times this winter and early spring on a vinyl covered stool in the kitchen. is swinging on a mooring buoy. We but I hope to be more regular in future. An hour or so later the vinyl had just rented space in Bosham sailing club to melted. Styrene thinners maybe? store our inflatable for a few pounds I do fish at Weir Wood from time to a season. It was all so easy then in the time. I swim regularly and still do a bit We joined the Newhaven and Seaford 1970’s. of cycling which in my younger days sailing Club. One of the club members was my main sport I have toured all was an RYA Measurer and our Ent Two incidents stay my mind from over Britain and when in the air force measured OK. our early sailing days. In the first we spotted something sticking out of the I took up racing and competed in a We were encouraged to race from the water in a place where there were no massed start race in Baghdad. start. 29 boats took part in our first buoys or seamarks on the chart. We I love the thrill of water sports and race. We finished in 4th place and sailed on for a few hundred yards and have particularly enjoyed passing on got a mention in the local paper the looked back and saw that an enormous the skills of Canoeing and Sailing to following week. Alas it was beginner’s submarine had surfaced. Later that day young people in particular to two of luck. For the rest of the season we o the news we learned that our first trailed towards the end of the fleet.

Spring 2011 my three sons who have both excelled

nuclear submarine had been away on in these activities. The next year things improved and we sea trials for a couple of years and had Joyce Skelton managed to lift the Enterprise Cup. returned to Portsmouth that day. The By this time our friends in the club next item on our shopping list was an 1962. A summer weekend. We had were moving on to Merlin Rockets and echo sounder! Afloat decided to purchase a new three piece we went too. The MR is not a strict The second happened on a very calm suite but had not made a final choice “one design” like the Ent. We bought 16 day as we passed behind a heavily on the Saturday. Sunday was a glorious another planked up hull and built to a laden container vessel. In its wake day and we drove down to Eastbourne Proctor design. We launched the new there was hardly a ripple which we where Enterprise dinghies were boat from Mayflower Quay and it took crossed over only to find on the other sailing in the bay. Ken, my husband, off like a scalded cat towards Duke’s side there was huge chasm which we persuaded me that a dinghy would be Island. It was an exciting boat to sail sailed into and up the other side. We much more fun than new furniture and was the boat we brought to Weir still had a lot to learn. and that he could buy the kit and make Wood having been persuaded to join the boat. by our dentist, Geoff Sykes, who was We started taking our main holidays helpful too yelling “Starboard” when I cannot see them. John and I have sailed in every kind of weather at Weir Wood but one that sticks in my mind wast a few years ago on a Bank Holiday. We were struck by lightning. Lots of sparks but we were very fortunate and only left tingling. The helm of the following boat was catapulted into the water and it was some hours before he got the feeling back in his arm. That brings me up to date. I live now one day at a time and every day is a bonus. I love Weir Wood. It is a lovely venue, close to home, with John Prince and Joyce Skelton F interesting wind patterns and a very with a firm in East Grinstead called volunteered but could not sail that welcoming and successful club. I have the Yacht Cruising Association..With weekend. So we had our first sail a great sailing partner who is still very them we experienced sailing in many and the next weekend was a repeat competitive and when the conditions different area of Greece and Turkey. performance. I started sailing with are right for us I love it! We enjoyed these holidays for 10 John on Wednesday evenings and John Prince years or more but it came to an end when the first crew never turned up in 1989. The weekend before we left John offered me the job. I went away I started sailing in the late 1960’s for another holiday in Turkey Ken had on holiday that year on cloud 9. after enjoying a riverside holiday on been working the heavy clay soil in the the Norfolk Broads. My sons, Colin Nineteen years on we are still garden with a motor tiller and he came and Tony, spent hours on the water sailing together but having reached into the kitchen very out of breath. In in the sailing dinghy that came with octogenarian status we lack the less than a minute he was dead from a the bungalow and we had caught the mobility that we once had. John is an massive myocardial infarction. He was bug. I new that my company sports excellent sailor, never shows boredom 73 and I was 64. We had been married club had a sailing section that sailed or stops trying. One cup, the Don for 44 years and were looking forward Enterprises on the Thames upstream Beedle overall points trophy, was to many more years of active enjoyable from Teddington Weir and I applied won by John nine years in succession. retirement. to join. One problem was that one On the tenth year there was no prize needed to be able to swim before you Three years passed. I was still enjoying giving so we never knew whether he

would be accepted but there was a Afloat sailing holidays with my daughter carol would have claimed it again. pool in the office complex and I was in. and 4 other friends but I wondered John has put up with a lot from me. My sons joined shortly afterwards and if I could rejoin Weir Wood. Would In our first 10 years I had two hip were soon beating me and everyone there be a long waiting list and who replacements. Each time John would else in the club.

on earth would be prepared to take on Spring 2011 visit me and take me back as crew a 67 year old female crew? I visited the We came to Weir Wood in the late 60’s after 6 weeks recuperation. On Boxing club one Sunday morning and spoke as it was one of the few clubs that were Day 2005 after sailing in the morning to David Haslam who was very helpful. winter sailing only and provided a new race I had a stroke. Fortunately Carol, Barry Newton was commodore at the challenge after mainly river racing. who was a ward sister on a stroke unit, time and had a Topper for sale which I Enterprises were a strong fleet at the was staying with me and immediately bought. I could manhandle this small time and racing was competitive. From recognised the symptoms and rushed boat onto my Volvo Estate and do the beginning we were made welcome me off to the Princess Royal Hospital 17 without a road trailer. by the established members and we for an MRI scan. I was very lucky; no thoroughly enjoyed sailing on our A few months after I had rejoined paralysis but it left me partially sighted beautiful lake. the Club magazine arrived and in it and blind to anything coming from one John Prince, the Enterprise Fleet the right.. I had to give up my driving I have kept to the Enterprise Class as Captain, stated that he need a crew. licence but John picks me up on the I started in Ents and have been fairly I met up with John the next weekend way to the club and drops me home successful I have tended to leave well only to find that someone else had after sailing. WWSC sailors are very alone but I have dabbled with my sons’ RS400 which Joyce & I found a bit of a such that we decided to also to try it handful and I can’t master the tacking and so that is how we went on our technique facing forward. first flotilla with Island Sailing (now Sunsail). This was supposed to be a At one time we had a double trailer “one off” trip? This year sees us in our and I accompanied my sons around 30th year of Sunsail holidays visiting the Thames Valley and Southern Area Enterprise circuit for several years. Greece with its many islands, Turkey, My best result was probably getting the old Yugoslavia and Antigua. a “piece of wood” in the Enterprise Sometime during the mid seventies Nationals (for finishing in the first 10) we joined Weir Wood which was when the fleet was in the hundreds. I a Winter Only Club in those days. won an Open on the Thames when my Boats had to be disinfected every time boys weren’t competing and I finished G Ken and Rita at Hedgecourt they were brought in.This led to the first in a race in the Enterprise Masters purchase of our second , so them to France and explored the only to be disqualified as I drifted back that we could keep one at Hedgecourt Tarn and the Dordogne rivers. over the finishing line as I pulled up and one at Weir Wood. my trousers from around my ankles. The Scout troop then went on a sailing Racing was run on a different system weekend at Cobnor and yes you’ve My first love in sport was athletics. I at that time. There would be a morning guessed it, at the next Boat Show we was a middle distance runner and won race of the Surrey 880 yards twice (beating bought a dinghy kit and spent at least an hour and three quarters Bill Nankeville who some of your the winter building it. followed by a shorter afternoon one. older readers might remember). I got Having completed it we then looked The morning races were run by Adrian second in the Southern and made the around for somewhere to sail it! On Fenton with marks 8 and 9 regularly final in the AAA’s at White City. On talking to Adrian Fenton at Southern used including committee boat starts the road I ran the glory leg in the News Boats which was in East Grinstead at at buoy 9 . If there was thin ice on the of the World London to Brighton Relay that time he suggested that we went water it would be broken up by the handing over a baton to the Mayor to Hedgecourt lake where Crawley safety boats. of Brighton. Mind you Gordon Pirie Mariners were holding an Open Day. ran the longest leg for us. An Achilles So that’s where it all began. The fleets were mainly Enterprise, tendon injury cut short my athletics Flying Fifteen, Solo and Miracle with Ivan soon moved on to Topper sailing career but fortunately I was still active. also a fair number of Mirrors and and we realised that the Mirror was Toppers. I still play table tennis for teams in to small for us to sail. So we sold that the Croydon and Redhill & Reigate boat and bought our first Miracle When Weir Wood became “All Year Leagues and I run a weekly short mat because there was quite a large fleet at Round” we left The Mariners.The bowls club. Hedgecourt. We became very involved Miracles became a very strong fleet Over my years at the club I have been with the Mariners and eventually Ken averaging 6 or 7 boats every week very fortunate to recruit a succession became Membership Secretary; a job and 5 or 6 boats would support the of excellent crews (including the he did for six years . Nationals. We went to Rock, Ullswater current club champion Jonathan The Mariners also started us into and Llandudno. Ching) and I would like to thank them Flotilla sailing. They were very The Miracle fleet has disappeared for all particularly the latest ,Joyce Skelton, involved with Y.C.A. and there various reasons and now we are the Spring 2011 who keeps me competing despite enthusiasm for sailing holidays was only one to race on a Sunday morning. health problems that would mean the Owing to our advancing years we have end of sailing for most people. She become a little more selective of the was even happy to continue after the weather conditions that we sail in!

Afloat Enterprise was hit by lightning! And finally Best Wishes to John Gibbs Ken and Rita Wooding 18 John Gibbs, our Bosun, has been has Our sailing started in the seventies in been unwell for a while and it was a roundabout way. Our youngest son good to see him as OOD on the Laser Ivan had joined the local Scout group Open day. . It is likely to be a while and started canoeing with them on the before we see him back on a regular river Arun. We went to the Boat Show basis and we wish him a speedy and and came home with kits to build full recovery and look forward to two double handed kayak canoes and seeing him tend the safety boats with during the following summer we took J Ken and Rita at Miracle Nationals 1990 his usual loving care soon. The Meares and Our Sailing at Lyme was a great education. trailer, bought the boat and drove it We were fearless. The school had a back up North. Ah, those were the Watery Pursuits fleet of boats called an Alpha. It was days. a bit like a small Bosun, but the key Peter and family We started our modern sailing career accessory was a large black rubber We continue with our series on on a lake called Rudyard near Leek. bumper on the bows. I apologise now, the various families that sail at It’s the only place I have every found for the black marks left all over the WWSC. where the wind blows from both ends. posh boats in the Cobb harbour. The You can Run down to the middle and other memory is that if one hit the As an introduction. There are five of beat up to the top. Mad place. That Cobb wall straight on the mast would us, Peter, Penny, James, Jo and Flic. We must have been in around 1993-4. fall down! all take part in water sports, but only Business took a dip and I found myself three of us come to the club sailing We were fortunate to have the sons of in a job down south. A colleague had these days. Mr Baker who was building Larks at also joined the company at the same that time. So we time and scouted out Weir Wood as a cajoled six boats safe haven for youngsters, so we joined out of him, in bits, up in 1996 complete with the old and moved up (which is still owned by another club a league. I seem member). to remember some team racing By this time James was a competent against other crew and Jo was showing that she schools in the might like to drift round with the bung South West, oh out occasionally. So we got a Topper and ‘A’ levels. Well, for James, and an Optimist for Jo (no they never really bung). happened. Lyme Flic never really wanted to compete Peter and Penny A was more fun. with the sailing so opted for kayaking As is usual with these stories it’s Dad After that I went home to retake my with the girl guides. That fitted in that got us into it. I started sailing in ‘A’ levels and them and bought my first well, as Saturday’s she could kayak 1962, I guess, at around 8 years old. boat, a No. 2831 which I sailed and we could sail. Penny only really I joined a Sea Scout group when my at Shearwater near Longleat. Sold that does sailing in the warmer climate i.e. parents lived in Gosport. Somewhere for an OK but not before two of us did Neilson holidays. Level 2 Pico’s. I have a photograph of me stationary the schools championship at Itchenor So over the next 10 years, Jo learnt to on a tidal pond in an Optimist shaped in 1972 (I think). We came a long way swim and sail and then became an AI boat. Nothing new there I hear you say. down. I blame the wind and the silly and then qualified as an instructor. Eventually I went to boarding school paperbook with the courses on, which James also qualified as an instructor Afloat and spent many years being driven you only found out about after a 30 and never once used the skills. Ah, from Taunton to Lyme Regis where the minute beat out to sea. well. Quite happy to tell me which way school sailed all year, in all weathers, to go round a buoy in a Laser though. with no modern equipment. Off to University and team racing

in Fireflies and Larks. Great fun, oh Spring 2011 I remember putting my first wetsuit and so was the engineering. Then I together. It was bought through mail seem to discovered girls. Doom! I got order, and arrived in bits. Rubber married and sailing seems to have been both sides, a tube of glue and rubber forgotten for 12 years. But never fear, a tape. With some care one had a black son came along to rescue Dad. wetsuit one could climb into. I seem to remember it needed frequent re- What can we do to entertain him? Buy 19 gluing. My other key piece of sailing a boat of course. A Lark No.1958 was attire in those days was an oiled wool purchased. We lived in Congleton, pullover lovingly knitted by my mother up North, and found the boat down a few sizes too big, so it went over the South.So in true hard up sailing style I lifejacket (buoyancy aid to you young drove over the hills to Sheffield, bought un’s). Of course this was an interesting the parts for a trailer at Towsure, tied item of safety equipment after a swim them to the roof. Drove to a friend’s in the channel. It used to weigh a tonne. house in Copthorne, assembled the K Peter in the parking story is the boat covered in A feature is a wave or a hole, preferably brambles from stem to stern and a neat on a river, and as large as possible. If hole cut through the brambles to allow you don’t need a heart bypass it is not the sticker to be attached every year gnarly enough. always up to date. Jo and Penny joined the kayaking Flic, although a competent sailor, shortly afterwards and as a family (less really found it all too tame and took James who won’t, oh he is so stubborn up competitive kayaking. At about 13 sometimes) we have paddled some she had run out of kayaking progress amazing rivers round the world. in guides so we had to join a local club in Worthing. Being under 14 Jo tried competitions but doesn’t really and in need of transport Dad had to like it, so she paddles big rivers. The go along. I had never sat in a kayak bigger the better, and anywhere in the before but soon go the hang of falling world. She recently got back from a G Jo in her Oppy over and getting wet. The young trip to Marakesh paddling in the Atlas were practicing cartwheels and loops mountains (actually a bit short of water James crewed for me for a while but he in what is called Freestyle kayaking this year). Didn’t stop here causing it outgrew the front of a Lark so we went and this immediately grabbed her to rain the Sahara desert for the first single handed. I got a Contender 353 attention. Forget the new boat just time in 10 years! Penny and I have which is not the ideal boat for Weir Wood but so so much fun; a real boy’s toy. Forget these modern expensive plastic RS600 things. It’s now sadly mothballed looking for a good home for free. James moved on to a Laser, and due to old age I have joined him. You will now see him at the front and me at the back of the fleet. Jo now has a part share in an RS200. Goes best without the bung apparently. Early on in our time at Weir Wood I took on the Boat Park Marshal’s job. That was a fantastic way to involve the kids and meet people. In those days there were 650 boats and 450 members. Plenty of opportunity for A James in his Laser some amusing incidents, and some irate punters. Amazing how many bought for Christmas, she needed a reached a competent standard and people forget this is a club run for the shorter one, so short the toes grow will always take the kayaks on holiday. members, by members. The best boat bunions and it all hurts. Flic just loves Recent years have seen us paddling the competition! the coats of Pembroke, and the Isle of Spring 2011 Over the next 5 years we travelled Man. There is little to beat paddling the world; Australia, Canada, twice, in and out of the natural caves with Switzerland twice, France, Czech seals popping up around you.We even Republic…. carting her and her kit to paddled all the way round the Isle of Afloat international competitions. Practicing Anglesey in a moment of madness at 5am with it being so cold the fingers (well, 3½ days of madness, camping 20 hurt. Her tally far outstrips the sailing wild). members of the family (who have James and I can be found running the won nothing), having been national scoring for some of the club major champion three times, 2nd in events. Ideally on a nice windy day so and 4th in the Worlds. I can get the camera out and capture Dad has tried most (no some) of the some the action. Nothing I like better features she paddles on but it is life than a nice death roll to windward in A James in his Topper shortening and you need to be young. front of the lens (thanks to Chris Black flagging the laser fleet! You will see us up at the club most Sundays for the races, although work has been getting in the way too much recently. Also wind guru means we can get really picky about when to sail. My club highlights are the people we have met and sailed against. You are all great when following me!, And out on the front wire on a screaming reach in (or is that ‘on’ or ‘under’, I never remember) an RS800 off Eastbourne with the dangerous Doctor Lyle at the helm. I see he has moved onto RS100s. Must have a go some time as it is a single hander Flic doing a cartwheel G and he is not driving! Symington for that series of pictures). It drives Martin Looks like I celebrate 50 years on the water next year so you Pascoe nuts when I am photographing 10 seconds before the have to let me win a trophy! start gun. That’s why he has sensibly banished me to buoy moving. Very astute but then I won’t learn the finer art of A brilliant club with a great, great lake. Enjoy it.

Day Cruise to Newtown Creek. In order to successfully Newtown Creek negotiate the entry Tony Carter to the creek and avoid the shallows WWSC Cruising gets going. you need to line up On Thursday 28th April two Laser a transit, which is Stratos Keels set sail on an impromptu made up of a ball cruise from Warsash on the river fitting into a ‘Y’. The Hamble to Newtown Creek on the entrance is only Isle of Wight. The weather forecast about 50 feet wide was for sunny spells, wind force 4 to 5 and facing north, Richard and David NNE. The cruise party was made up of so having dropped J the spinnakers on Richard Williams and David Laing in and stayed for the remainder of or day. approach it was a dead run in. one Stratos and Tony & Bridget Carter Being on neap tides, which is why we in the other. Just on the starboard side as you enter chose Newtown as our destination, After rigging both boats, loading the creek there is a shingle beach, the tide was set to turn during our provisions we set sail at 11:50am. With which is quite steep so makes a perfect stopover at 14:15hrs. This was perfect the wind in the north it was a run landing point. We needed to raise the timing for our return to Warsash, Afloat out of the Hamble on an ebbing tide keel on approach to avoid grounding, which we knew would be more of a into Southampton Water, followed but arrived ashore successfully at challenge as it would be a beat most of 13.45hrs. It had taken us 1hr 55min by a reach down the mainland some the way.

to travel a distance of 10.21 NM thus 2 NM to Solent Breezes.We then At 15:00hrs we slipped anchor. We Spring 2011 averaging a speed of about 5 knots. gybed, crossed Southampton Water elected to use the outboard motors passing through the shipping lane to Newtown Creek is a nature reserve Calshot. Then around Calshot Spit, with anchorage and moorings for where we enjoyed a spinnaker reach numerous boats of all sizes. Once in 15 to 18kts of wind for 2.25 NM to ashore we had a good lunch, provided Stansore Point. Gybing again to cross by Richard, (or was it his wife the eastern Solent shipping lane to Chrissie!) Lunch proved very popular, 21 Gurnard, (which is just down from not only with us but also the resident Egypt Point on the Isle of Wight). We swan who was intent on grabbing a then enjoyed an even longer spinnaker share! Richard was the gallant knight reach of some 3.89 NM down the and a stand off ensued between man north coast of the Isle of Wight, across and bird. After much hissing the swan Gurnard Bay and Thorness Bay where backed down. During lunch we had we closely passed a moored coastal a chance to reflect and assess our Moored at Newtown Creek tanker, then onto the entrance to crossing. The sun chose to reappear J Just our luck. As we came around the corner of Calshot Spit, we were greeted with a pilot vessel, heralding the arrival of the cruise liner MSC Orchestra. She was coming down close to the edge of the shipping lane and there was not enough time to cross the lane in front of her. So we had to put a series of small tacks and reaches in front of the coastguard station at Calshot. Being very conscious of the shallows around this point we did not want to go aground so we were just outside of the shipping lane ourselves. For those of you who have never experienced sailing close to large ships it is quite something. You have what G Lunch can only be described as steel block G Chart showing course to exit the creek due to the northerly of flats acting like a huge windbreak. 25 tacks later we arrived back safe wind. This made life much easier and There is total loss of wind, shortly and sound at Warsash Sailing Club’s followed by wind veering and backing. a lot more comfortable. The Laser pontoon at 17:30 pm having completed As the ships passes a of wind Stratos is designed to sail with an a 2.5hr sail covering some 12 NM. accelerates around her stern giving outboard fitted, tilted up while sailing. a sudden blast, which if you are not Richard Williams and Dave Laing in The advantage is excellent enabling prepared will certainly end up in a Achilles and Tony & Bridget Carter you to make full use of the engine swim. in Nimbo-Stratos had a fantastic in difficult situations and of course day’s cruise in some excellent sailing should the wind die. No chance of that Once MSC Orchestra had passed and conditions; some of the best the Solent today with the wind freshening again. windblast dealt with, we crossed the can offer. They travelled in total just With the mains hoisted and under shipping lane and settled onto a NW over 22 nautical miles at an average motor we left Newtown. Once clear of beat up Southampton Water for 1.1 speed of just under 5 knots. After de- the entrance we stopped and stowed NM to the Hamble point cardinal, rigging the boats we all retired to the the outboards and set sail for home. (which marks the entrance to the bar for a well-earned beer for the lads Our first leg was a nice long beat river). What followed was a series of and wine for Bridget and to regale on up the north coast of the island for gruelling tacks up the river towards our adventure. some 3.69 NM. Then upon reaching Warsash. The Hamble river is very If you are interested in joining a club Gurnard back across the Solent to busy especially at 17:00 hrs with cruise, just check out the cruising Beaulieu. A series of tacks followed up numerous boats returning after a day’s section on the club website. the mainland coast along Stanswood sail cruising, whilst others are leaving Bay towards Calshot. the Hamble to return home. Some Spring 2011

You need to give Calshot Spit a wide birth to avoid going aground, but you also need to keep a wary eye on the busy shipping lane as you enter

Afloat Southampton Water. Not only for the regular Isle of Wight ferries and 22 speed cats but also other commercial shipping at this time of day. We reached Calshot at just before 17:00hrs ( which is a regular time for Cruise Liners leaving Southampton Docks) down Southampton Water and into the Solent before turning west around the Isle of Wight. A MSC Orchestra dwarfs us Membership News “The Lake is closed because it is iced up!” For the last time this mag from me, my email address – HYPERLINK Ian Alderman "mailto:[email protected]" membership@wwsc. Hello Members. I org.uk. Drop me a line if you don’t think we’ve got your think I can safely address or you want to make sure we have the right one. say this is the most Did you get your race card in the post? Do have a read. It’s traumatic task full of useful information and important dates, including yet set Phew! So (shameless plug coming up) the Training dates. As a renewals is over I can highly recommend our training courses. The now. At one point fact we’re a member’s club rather than a commercial club it felt like Season’s really shines through. If you are interested in any courses Greetings from or assistance please email HYPERLINK "mailto:training@ Santa Claus the wwsc.org.uk" [email protected]. Movie but thanks One of my favourite duties is meeting new people. We have to Sar’s assistance Ian Alderman some new members to the club and I’m sure you’d like to they’re all done J join me in a big Weir Wood Welcome to: and we can see the living room floor again! Thank you to all of you who put stamped, self-addressed envelopes in your Name Boat Type renewal. It certainly made a difference. Andrew Barnes Single Over the Easter break I managed to play in my Laser - on Andrew Spiers Laser 2000 Family shore wind = messy. It is hard to muster much dignity pulling your boat out of the bushes and walking around to Andrew Barton Topper ISO Family the slip way, especially when you realise all you are pulling is Charie Field RS200 Family your painter! Dee Mahon- Sailboard This weekend Sar got to play crew on Mike’s new Wayfarer Doyle and had a blast in the wind. I’ve been lucky enough to Glen Chandler Optimist Cadet crew for a couple of people too. I can highly recommend Jack Mulligan Cadet crewing. You get to sail in a boat you wouldn’t necessarily James Stevens Cadet normally get to play in and it’s also a great way to get to know other members of the club. If you find yourself Jea Shin-Hong Cadet wanting to crew, or indeed, in need of crew drop me a John Ramshaw Single line at HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" Kevin Back Optimist Family [email protected]. I shall do my best to put people Laurence Single in touch with each other. Trigwell We have recently added two new fields to the membership Mark McKenhie Single form; email address for partner to better serve our family Afloat Mike Smith Single members and date of birth for the main member. Why have we asked for your Date of Birth (DOB)? As a club we Oliver Foord Cadet need to plan for the future. As part of that we really need to Oliver Waring Cadet be able to try and model the age of our club members and Paul Cullen Fireball Family Spring 2011 how that will affect our membership mix. For those of you Philip Hands Laser Family reading this now, if you could please take the time to drop me an email ( HYPERLINK "mailto:membership@wwsc. Richard Appleby Yamaha 16 Single org.uk" [email protected]) with your membership Roger Loveless Laser Family number and DOB, we can start to populate this crucial Rosie Elphick Laser Single information. Thank you! This also gives me the opportunity Ryan Campbell Cadet to say a big “Thank You” to Tony Carter who somehow 23 juggles developing and supporting the membership database Simon Head Laser Family and email comms amongst all the other things he does. Sophie Payne Laser Single So one final plea. We have a few members out there Sophie Optimist Cadet who haven’t passed on their email addresses. Why is this Dorrington important? Your email address makes life easier for Dick Stuart Croghan Laser Single Lankester with his Duty Man hat on and it allows us to Zac Riley Optimist Cadet be able to get important information out to you such as Has it ever seemed to you that you’re always falling over The RNLI and Weir Wood a laser in the boat park? You may be right! Below is a list In this Edition we celebrate WWSC's long of the boats (ordered by prevalence), as provided by you, the members. I say in advance that any unlikely boats are association with the RNLI including the probably due to a best guess effort on the part of myself or launch of a 'D' class boat at WWSC and my predecessors. It is fair to say that handwriting varies something about our nearest RNLI Station greatly! at Newhaven

Dinghy Count Dinghy Count Laser 107 420 1 Vic Hopkins remembers the Launch of the "Billy Laser 2000 41 1 Mills/George Ralph" at Weir Wood Optimist 41 Albacore 1 Enterprise 22 Blue Peter 1 Topper 16 Buzz 1 RS200 13 Contender 1 Fireball 10 Versa 1 RS400 8 1 Wayfarer 8 GP14 1 Lightning 7 Graduate 1 Mirror 7 International 14 1 6 Laser 13 1 G D Class lifeboat 6 1 The launch of the “Billy Mills/ George Ralph” D Class Solo 6 1 lifeboat at Weir Wood on 11th July 1991 was quite a 5 Laser Fun 1 spectacular event. The boat was put into the water at the 5 Megabite 1 Club House end of the reservoir. The Shoreham Lifeboat Miracle 5 1 Crew and the Shoreham Lifeboat Choir were attending. My RS Vareo 5 Osprey 1 son Chris and I launched my Enterprise “Capricorn” and RS100 5 1 we took a member of the lifeboat crew with us. The idea Comet Verso 4 1 was to capsize my dinghy in the middle of the reservoir. The lifeboat crew man asked how we would capsize the boat. I Flying Fifteen 4 RS Feva XL 1 told him not to worry. We had had plenty of practice. All RS Vision 4 RS Q'ba 1 went to plan and when we were all in the water we fired as Comet 3 Seafly 1 maroon which brought the new lifeboat to our rescue. On 3 Seahopper 1 returning safely to shore the choir were singing making it all Supernova 3 Sorcerer 1 a very special occasion. I think I am right in saying that that 2 Topaz 1 was the only time someone has been rescued on Weir Wood 2 Topaz Omega 1 reservoir by the RNLI.

Spring 2011 Drascome 2 Topaz Race X 1 Vic Hopkins

Lark 2 Topper ISO 1 The Forest Row Lifeboat Choir and the Billy 2 Wanderer 1 Mills/George Ralph Life Boat 2 West Wright Potter 1 On 25th November 1928 one of the worst tragedies to Afloat Leader 2 Weta 1 hit the RNLI occurred. The Rye Bay Lifeboat went to the Phantom 2 Yamaha 16 1 assistance of a Latvian ship that was taking on water. The 24 RS500 2 weather conditions were appalling and the “Mary Stanford” RS600 2 lifeboat, a rowing boat, was launched across the shingle by Topaz Mango 2 17 crewmen. Unknown to the lifeboat crew the crew of the Topaz Xenon 2 vessel in distress had already been rescued. After several hours of searching the Mary Stanford returned to Rye Harbour. As she entered the harbour mouth a giant wave Have a great summer all. Don’t forget the proms on the lake engulfed her and she capsized. All seventeen crew, fathers, (it was fab last year! Check your race card for the date!) sons, uncles and cousins, were drowned. William Pope was a child of three at the time and lost three brothers. He moved to Ashurstwood in later life and became very friendly with Billy Mills, the postman. When Nunc Dimitis Billy heard the harrowing story he decided to form a small “I want to die peacefully in my sleep choir to sing carols to raise funds for the Lifeboat men. From like my grandfather, not screaming these modest beginnings in 1946 the choir grew and in 1948 George Ralph took over the choir and led it for the next 33 with fear like the passengers in the years. back of his car.” Billy Mills died in 1964 having received the RNLI Gold Badge and George Ralph was similarly honoured in 1970 receiving his badge from Sir Alec Rose. 2006 marked the 60th Anniversary of the choir and by that time they had raised £100,000 for the RNLI. From this money two inshore lifeboats have been sponsored with the Billy Mills/George Ralph being dedicated on Weir Wood Reservoir. The Newhaven RNLI Life Boat Station . Situated on the South Coast of England some 60 miles west of Dover and nearly 50 miles to the east of the Isle of Wight, Newhaven is one of only two fully navigable harbours between these two points. With the English Channel being one of the busiest waterways in the world there has always been a large number of vessels passing the port. Before the relatively recent building of marinas at Brighton and Eastbourne there were few places for vessels to take refuge making Newhaven’s location of special importance. RNLI Newhaven G In the year 1800 H.M.S Brazen was wrecked in a storm off the cliffs just west of Newhaven with the loss of all but one of her 105 crew and this tragedy apparently inspired a local committee to look into the provision of a lifeboat at Newhaven. As a result in May 1803 a lifeboat of William Greathead’s "Original" design was provided, partly paid for by Lloyds of London, the balance funded locally. Since 1803 records show that 17 station lifeboats have served at Newhaven together with a number of temporary and relief boats. Records show that the first lifeboat actually built for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) after its formation in 1824 was in fact sent to Newhaven in January 1825. Later the first RNLI lifeboat to be fitted with a petrol engine was sent to Newhaven for trials in 1904. Afloat Since the station was established 19 medals for gallantry have been awarded, 10 Silver Medals and 9 Bronze Medals. The Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Richard Payne for his outstanding skill and tremendous courage during the rescue of ten crew from the Danish "Mogens " in storm force winds in December 1929. Coxswain Payne was seriously

injured on the return trip when he was thrown against the after end-box. His injuries forced him to retire and he died aged Spring 2011 57 in 1931. In 1943 Coxswain Leonard Peddlesden was decorated for his courage and determination in escorting the Naval Trawler "Avanturine" into Newhaven in a gale. During the service the lifeboat was rammed and severely damaged by the trawler and sadly the Signalman, Benjamin Clark was lost overboard and drowned. Coxswain Peddlesden was awarded the Silver Medal and the other seven of the crew were awarded Bronze Medals, Benjamin Clark’s posthumously. The rescue of eight crew from the sinking Danish Schooner "Vega" during a severe gale in 1954 earned Coxswain William Harvey the Silver Medal and the Maud Smith award for the bravest act of life-saving by a lifeboatman during that year. In addition 2 Framed Letters of Thanks have been awarded, to Coxswain Leonard Patten for the rescue of 5 crew from the fishing vessel "La Francoise" in a violent storm on 16 October 1987 and to Coxwain Ian Johns for his part in saving 2 people swept out to 25 sea on 1 August 2006. In 1940 the Cecil & Lilian Philpott was one of the 19 RNLI lifeboats that took part in the evacuation of British Forces from Dunkirk. In 2003 a Vellum was awarded to commemorate 200 years as a lifeboat station. A more complete account of some of the more notable rescues carried out by Newhaven’s lifeboats can be found on the Callouts Historic Archive page. As with all lifeboat stations our "patch" is not strictly defined. All of the All Weather Lifeboats (ALB’s) of the RNLI are committed to provide cover to 50 miles off the coast. The extent to which we cover either side of Newhaven is determined more by operational requirements than by geographical boundaries. Our flank station to the east is Eastbourne where a Mersey class ALB together with an IB1 class Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) cover as far west as around Beachy Head. Our westerly flank station is Brighton where an Atlantic 75 ILB is based. Further to the west is Shoreham where a Tyne class ALB and D class ILB are currently stationed. A new boathouse is being built to take the new Tamar class ALB that should be on station soon. Our rescues are co-ordinated by H M Coastguard normally by the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre at Solent but sometimes through their colleagues at Dover. We often work together with the H M Coastguard Rescue Helicopters based at Lee-on-Solent and most of our callouts involve the local volunteer Coastguards at Newhaven, Birling Gap or J In the olden days Shoreham. Most callouts are instigated by the Coastguard as they receive 999 calls and VHF radio calls concerning safety and distress at sea. Once they have the details of the incident the Coastguard will use their knowledge together with computer prediction programmes to decide which resources to send to best deal with the situation. This means that often we will be working on our own in the area local to Newhaven but sometimes we might work with our flank stations or the helicopter in more complex situations. Our regular field of operations covers the coast from about the Palace Pier at Brighton to the west and Beachy Head to the east. This coastal area includes Brighton Marina and Newhaven Harbour which between them are havens for conventional and high speed cross-channel ferries, merchant ships, fishing vessels, charter fishing boats, yachts and power boats not to mention the sailing dinghies, wind surfers, surfers and jet skis that launch from the beaches and marinas. These all contribute to provide a wide variety of callouts. The area contains some stony and some sandy beaches together with about 12 miles of sheer cliffs including the famous Seven Sisters. It is these cliffs that give rise to other causes of callouts from people being cut off by the tide when walking under them or from persons or dogs falling from the top.

The Newhaven Life Boat . Currently at Newhaven our station lifeboat is the RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland. She was built at FBM Marine Ltd of Cowes and placed on station in October 1999. She is the twenty-first of the Severn class boats built and the cost of £ 1.8 million was funded from a number of generous bequests. The Severn class is the largest of the current RNLI fleet being 17 metres (c. 56 feet) long overall and just under 6 metres (c. 18 feet) wide at the widest point. The hull, decks and superstructure are built from fibre reinforced composite (an epoxy resin matrix reinforced with glass and Kevlar fibres) combining strength with light weight. The combination of Spring 2011

buoyancy and weight distribution provided by the design make her inherently self-righting. As the boat is subdivided D Severn Class into seven watertight compartments she can maintain her self-righting capability even if water enters through hull damage. Weighing just under 45 tonnes the Severn is given a top speed of 25 knots by her two massive V12 Caterpillar Afloat diesel engines. (For the technically minded they are CAT 3412A twin turbocharged, aftercooled diesels each producing 26 approximately 1,200 bhp @ 2,300 rpm). Our fuel capacity is 5,500 litres (1,200 gallons) giving a maximum range of 250 nautical miles at full speed. The wheelhouse provides permanent seating for 6 crew plus a medic as well as two stretcher positions. It also houses the sophisticated electronics including autopilot, daylight-viewing radar, laser chart plotter, satellite navigator and even a closed circuit television system. Furthest forward are the Helmsman's, Coxswain's and Navigator's positions mounted side by side. The Helmsman's console pictured below is fitted with compass, helm position indicator, steering, engine and bow thruster controls. There are also tachometers, the indicators and controls for the trimplanes, and autopilot together with intercom as well as an array of switches. Between the Helmsman and Navigator, the Coxswain's position has been designed to allow him to obtain and pass on maximum information whilst on the way to a casualty or during a search. This position allows view and use of the radar and laser plotter as well as a console displaying compass, echo sounder, speed log and wind speed and direction. There is also an independent VHF radio and multi-channel voice recorder to monitor radio and intercom conversations. The radar and laser chart plotter are mounted side by side at the Navigator's position and both are electronically interfaced with the GPS satellite navigator so that they all effectively share information.

Behind the Navigator's position on the starboard side is the Mechanic's position. Since the CCTV system gives views of the engine room from two separate angles and the console shows readings from the engines' computer control systems, giving detailed diagnostics of the operation of each engine, the Mechanic can remotely monitor the situation in the engine room backed up by occasional physical checks. The Mechanic normally acts as our radio operator and the communications equipment includes not only MF and VHF radios and DSC (Digital Selective Calling) sets on both frequency ranges but also a VHF direction finder to assist in the location of casualties in adverse conditions. Mounted on the port side opposite the Mechanic and behind the Helmsman are two further crew positions. All seats in the main wheelhouse are fitted with full harness seat-belts and are pneumatically damped to reduce jarring when the boat is travelling at high speed in heavy weather. Down below in the forward cabin there is stowage for a wide variety of gear including crash helmets, protective clothing, stretchers, fire hoses, veering lines and mechanical spares as well as rocket powered line throwing equipment capable of passing a light line up to 250m. An escape hatch onto the foredeck provides an alternative exit if the main path is blocked by fire or water. The lower survivors' cabin provides seating for 12 persons. The backs of the central seats can be folded down to form a bench for stretcher stowage for which special webbing securing straps are provided. Alongside the seating below is a small comprising sink and water boiler enabling us to prepare simple drinks and soups if at sea for long periods. Moving aft of the lower survivors' cabin is the tank space containing the diesel tanks together with the complex pipes and valves which enable the engines to be run from both tanks or either specific tank in case of fuel contamination. Further aft again is the engine room housing the main engines, gearboxes and associated pipework, electronics and hydraulics. Just consider that the cubic capacity of each of these giant engines is 27 litres and compare that to the nearer 2 litre capacity of an average road going diesel powered car and you will get some idea of their phenomenal power ! Furthest aft beyond the engine room is a compartment known as the "tiller flat". This contains not only the mechanical linkages connecting the hydraulic power to the rudders but also houses an independently run generator that can provide electrical power to back up or substitute for the batteries or alternators if necessary. Out on deck there are lockers and stowages for a variety of ropes, fire hoses and hand tools. On each side of the wheelhouse Afloat A-frames with lifting block and tackles are provided alongside the lowered well decks to assist with the recovery of persons from the water. A self contained diesel salvage pump is stowed in a watertight container that can be passed or floated over to a casualty. This pump can be used for pumping out water when a vessel's own pumps cannot cope or alternatively can be used for fire fighting. Our inflatable "Y-boat" is carried on top of the wheelhouse, from where it can be launched using a hydraulic crane mounted on the after deck. The Y-boat is used in appropriate weather conditions mostly for entering Spring 2011 shallow water where it is not possible to take the Severn such as in the recovery of persons from beaches and from under the cliffs. The inflatable can where weather conditions allow be used for the transfer of persons between vessels in deeper water to avoid unnecessary damage. Three fire fighting hydrants are located on deck, one forward and one on either side of the wheelhouse. All of the principal controls to operate the boat are duplicated on the flybridge on top of the wheelhouse allowing the boat to be controlled from here for close manoeuvring with better all round visibility than below in the Helmsman's position. Intercom and an independent VHF radio allow those on the flybridge to remain in contact with others whilst a repeater showing radar and chart plotter information allows access to the same information as the Navigator below. 27 Chris Hopkins Junior and Youth Sailing at Weir Wood Safety J Chris Hopkins Weir Wood Sailing Club has a long tradition of introducing Obviously a concern for children and young people to sailing. Our aims are to all parents, safety is our primary consideration. All our introduce children and young people to the sport of sailing formal sessions are supervised by RYA qualified personnel. in a safe, controlled but fun environment. As an RYA The club has a fleet of motor boats and an appropriate accredited Volvo Champion Club we also have a mission to number of these will be afloat to support the various groups identify and nurture talented young sailors and help them accordingly to the prevailing weather conditions. These progress towards the higher levels of the sport. boats are in radio contact with each other and with the duty Our courses are available to all but we do expect crew on the shore. Every person going afloat must wear participants to take up membership of the club. This can a personal floatation device (buoyancy aid or lifejacket as be either as a Cadet member which is a nominal fee or preferred). preferably as part of a family membership with their parents joining and playing a part in club activities. There are 3 main strands of youth and junior activity which are explained more fully in the dedicated pages on the web site. Contact details are provided in those pages. A brief overview of the activities is set out below. All these activities are run by our members with RYA qualifications. It is important to emphasise that we are a pure members club and have no paid employees. We would ask that you recognise the vital contribution of volunteers David in the Laser 4.7 and refrain from making demands of them incompatible J with that role. This does mean for example that our courses What boats do we use? are run at times when our volunteers are available. Optimist Optimist dinghies have long been the backbone for children from 8 to 15. For the Sunday afternoon group we mainly This is the starting point for children from about 8 years use Toppers. The Saturday Racing group is encouraged to old. No previous experience necessary. The group meets use Lasers (in the various rigs according to age and size) Saturday afternoons from March to November. although all class dinghies are welcome. Sunday Afternoon Youth Group These groups follow the RYA’s recommended pathway for Aimed at slightly older / bigger children (12 years+), no singlehanded sailors. We have aquired a number of Fevas to Spring 2011 previous experience necessary. Training is provided to provide a basis for a transition to sailing 2 man boats. Other wards RYA Seamanship awards. This group meets Sunday boats such as Laser 2000s and Laser 3000s may also be used afternoons through the summer months. on occasion. Saturday Afternoon Youth Racing Group Do you need to provide your own boat? Afloat Our most recent initiative this group is aimed at young As a club we have a number of boats available for training, 28 people who are progressing from one of the other 2 particularly Optimists, Toppers and Lasers. These are groups. The group is aimed at enhancing racing skills so intended to be used during the early stages of training whilst a reasonable level of sailing ability and a willingness to a child finds out if they have an interest to take their sailing progress in a racing environment are essential. We meet career further. Once it is clear that a child has a real interest Saturday afternoons when “Oppy Club” is running. you will have to think about acquiring a boat. The good Outside these groups we also run a number of other events news is that all the classes that we use are well established including an annual camp in the summer holidays and and have healthy second hand markets giving a good range 2 residential weekends at Cobnor Activities Centre on of prices. This market also means that boats can be easily Chichester Harbour. on-sold usually for much the same price as originally paid What other gear is required?

During our initial beginners course we will provide 25 REASONS WHY I OWE MY MOTHER everything necessary. After that you will need to acquire 1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL ONED . 'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. a buoyancy aid, wet suit, gloves, boots and importantly a I just finished cleaning.' windproof layer. This can be reduced in summer or more 2. My mother taught me RELIGION. layers added in winter. 'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.' 3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. 'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!' 4. My mother taught me LOGIC. ' Because I said so, that's why.' 5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the cinema with me!' 6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. 'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.' 7. My mother taught me IRONY. 'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.' Verity in the Laser 4.7 J 8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. 'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.' Is it expensive? 9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. The honest answer to this is it can be. If your child 'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!' 10. My mother taught me about . progresses to the highest levels they will need the best STAMINA 'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.' equipment and will need to travel around the country or 11. My mother taught me about WEATHER. even internationally. This, however, is your choice. Costs 'This room of yours looks as if a went through it.' can be kept minimal by buying second hand boats and gear 12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. especially if you are prepared to do a little work 'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!' 13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. 'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.' 14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. 'Stop acting like your father!' 15. My mother taught me about . 'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.' 16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. 'Just wait until we get home.' 17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. Afloat 'You are going to get it when you get home!'

Fiona in the Laser 4.7 18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. J 'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'

How much do I need to be involved? Spring 2011 19. My mother taught me ESP. We actively encourage parents to help. Previous sailing 'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?' or racing experience is not essential and we can provide 20. My mother taught me HUMOUR. training and gear to let you play a part. For younger children 'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.' particularly Optimist sailors a parent or designated adult 21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. must be on-site while the child is sailing. 'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.' How do I find out more? 22. My mother taught me GENETICS. 29 'You're just like your father.' In the first instance feel free to contact us, either through the 23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. links on the dedicated pages of the web site or via youth@ 'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a wwsc.org.uk if you have a general question. I strongly barn?' recommend that come and see our groups in activity to 24. My mother taught me WISDOM. get the best feel for how it all works and how much fun the 'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.' children have. 25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. 'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you. WWSC Optimist Report

Mike Harrington Flotilla Leader We have had a great start to the season and we have put in place many of the ideas we initiated at the end of last year including Richard Baker securing Sport England funding to purchase 3 new Fevas, purchase of 4 new Optimists for the IOCA level 1 course, completion of the much improved Oppy Bay area, completion of the beach simulator and the first of a new open event for the Spring which attracted almost 30 boats. The new hardware will enable us to develop our youth at all ages and giving them the opportunity for single and two handed sailing. We have also seen some new J The kids with Paul Goodison faces at Oppy Club at all levels so that will help to boost our numbers. At the dinghy show many of our Optimist sailors were on stage to receive the Volvo Champion Club award from Paul Goodison and following that down to the Olympic venue at Portland for the Spring Championships. Most recently Emma Baker and Georgia Baker joined 998 other sailors from all over the world at Lake Garda with Emma finishing top GBR girl. Looking forward to the rest of the year we have a good number of our sailors going to the Inlands at Grafham in a couple of weeks, Cobnor in three weeks, Oppy Camp of course the week before the Nationals in Pwllheli in August.

J A proud moment

A The flotilla leader should appropriately dressed

As ever all this couldn’t happen without the commitment and hard work of the team; John, Richard H, Richard B and Tim and also a big “thank you” to the club committee for supporting our initiatives. Please read on to see what’s been Spring 2011 going on in Optimists at our club. See you on the water! J Deserved success

Afloat SPOOKY TRIVIA

30 This year we will experience 4 unusual dates.... 1/1/11 1/11/11 11/1/11 11/11/11 NOW go figure this: Take the last 2 digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year and ...... IT WILL EQUAL 111! Lake Garda For the last day the Fleets split and the wind was less reliable. The event was won by a Ronja Gronblom from Emma Baker Finland in Cadatti and Nogay Dokmeci from Turkey in the Emma Baker reports on the Oppy Worlds Juniors. This is how the UK sailors fared overall

Like most people we drove down in two halves, stopping in Juniors Gold Juniors Silver Germany for a night. The Lymington boats came down on Arron Holman 78 Emma Baker 91 one trailer meeting the sailors who flew down. We arrived to find the GBR sailors already unloading which, given that Juniors Bronze Juniors Emerald there were over 800 boats arriving, was as quite lucky. We then moved all of the boats under trees where we set up a Sophie Hempsell 84 Jamie Webb 15 GBR ‘base’. Matt Thornton 103 Louise Hughes 47 Ella Bennett 104 Pippa Cropley 69 Jonathan Baddeley 110 Josh Dawson 120

Cadetti Gold Cadetti Silver Vita Heathcote 16 William Heathcote 10 Emilia Boyle 21 Deborah Hughes 14 Charlotte Boyle 28 Toby Bennett 37 A Some of the team at Garda Peter Baddeley 66 Georgia Baker 74 The next day we met for training with some of the parents who took out one rib. The water was far too deep to lay Thomas Dawson 76 training marks so we did some tacking on the whistle, focusing on up wind speed and getting over the waves. We also did a starting exercise to find the general lifts and headers on the water. After that we all went our separate ways for Pasta, Pizza and an early night. On the first day we arrived to find a very light northerly wind. However, by the first race start time of 12:00 the amazing Ora wind had kicked in. This firmly driven wind starts nearly every day and makes for fantastic racing each afternoon. The first day saw as much as 22 kts of wind, which was testing for the smaller Cadetties. Our best Junior’s result of the day was Arran Holmans 27th. Afloat J Quite Breezy Slightly less wind on the second day and a big improvement with Cadatties. Vita Heathcote and Millie Boyle both did Fantastic event, well organised, Thanks to David Baddeley exceptionally well both getting a 2nd in their Cadetti fleets! for helping organise our team. We needed to provide

Toby Bennet (also Cadetti) finished in a very good 30th support for our own sailors so a big thank you to IOCA Spring 2011 in the last race of the day. Matt Thornton got 26th in the for helping with RIB costs. It was a great event in different last race of the day and Emma conditions that was of great value particular to the younger sailors. Baker managed a 41st in Juniors In the evening there was a raffle including a boat as a prize! The third day brought us cloud and a late launch as the 31 wind took its time to come in. However, it held for both fleets to fit in two races. In the Cadetti fleet Charlotte Boyle got a 8th and Thomas Dawson finished in 40th a very good result.: A How's this for a start line A Celebrations at Garda Hayling Island Open Meeting

Only one day sailed in this event but well done to Sophie Dorrington for finishing all 4 races on the Sunday.

Spring Championships 9th and 10th April

Christopher Taylor (aged 11 GBR 6044) Reports

Over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of April we hosted the Optimist South East Championships. The event attracted competitors from around the region including Chipstead, Papercourt, Bewl Valley Sailing Clubs. Sailors started to arrive at around 8:30 and started to rig their boats and got changed before making their way the front of the club house for the briefing. The briefing kicked off at 9:45 and Pete started to explain about the carantec course and who was out on the water if you needed help. Optimist sailors went out onto the water up at the far end of the lake towards buoy 5 and awaited for the start of the first race. When everyone was out on the water the 5 minute warning went, boat started to cruise around the start trying to get the best start they could. The first race started as one compact fleet, but spread out later on in the race. Daniel Thorne-Large from Chipstead, came in first, followed by Emma Handley from Papercourt and then third place to Harriet Lucas-Clements also from Papercourt. The second race was similar with Daniel and Emma coming in first and second and Millie Hopkins from Weir wood coming third. The third race had more wind which changed the order with Daniel dropping to second, Harriet going up to first, and Freya Black from Bewl taking third place. The final race of the first day saw Emma getting her first win, followed by George Blatchford from Weir wood coming second and Harriet in third D Ready for the start place.

Day two had light winds and we sailed a triangular course for the final two races. The first race of the day Emma and Daniel were first and second and Alice Handley from Papercourt came third. The final race saw Daniel come first, with Iain Bird from Papercourt coming second and George coming in third place. Overall Daniel Thorne-Large from Chipstead

Spring 2011 Sailing Club took the overall trophy

with Emma Handley from Papercourt coming second and Harriet Lucas- Clements also from Papercourt coming third. Afloat Everyone enjoyed the racing and had a 32 great time!

D Here they come Spring Championships Youth Rep Report

Weymouth Fiona Harrington Well, the youth this year seem to have got off to a Five of our sailors travelled to Weymouth for the first very strong start and with major event of the year. The Olympic venue seemed quite the arrival of some new empty with only 210 Oppies! It is a bit stressful the first members and boats the day particularly when you have to put on new Gill sponsor future is looking up from stickers! It's a big chunk of water and day one was a bit too the youth point of view. much for Chris and Louise and they retired early. George Back in March most of Blatchford did well to complete the first race but lack of the Laser fleet attended a wind led to a lot of hanging training day with a coach around and with no WWSC rib to support decided to call who has won various it a day at lunchtime. Emma and Georgia completed both different events. This was J Fiona Harrington races in light winds to get some useful scores to take into a great success for both Day 2. All had a great time in the evening meeting at a the youth and other Laser sailors and a lot was to be learnt restaurant with others from Bewl and Chipstead, Louise from this experience and most of us seemed to get the hang managing to eat half an ocean of seaweed! On Day 2 our of our roll tacking! The Youth Racing Group on Saturdays is sailors were able to go to the Bewl support rib mid-races coming along well and seems to be a very popular choice of which made it a lot easier and chance for a rest. The fleet youth race training. Thanks to Simon Davis, Chris Hopkins set off at 10 am in a good F3 and race 1 was underway by and David Giles especially for pushing this on. We have 10:30. Emma Baker scored a good 27th in her fleet and about 10 regular youth sailors on Saturdays, but of course there is always room for more! Some of the youth have been doing some of their own events and I must mention that Verity Hopkins has been training especially hard. Most of the events she has attended have been in Weymouth, Lymington and Poole harbour, and we encourage others to do the same. A few weeks ago, the Weir Wood Laser Open Meeting was held and this was a great success for all. This was great experience and enjoyment for the Youth and we hope we can get more than 3 youth out there next year on 4.7s or Radials. And well done to Verity Hopkins and David Haw for participating in this event too. The Youth are very lucky (after winning the VCC in March) to have received three new RS Fevas. These are brilliant two-handed boats and if you want to start crewing a brilliant

Round the mark Afloat A starting point! These can be used by the Youth, but for racing purposes only please! If you are interested in hiring George had about 20 boats behind him in his. With winds one for a club race simply e-mail Chris Hopkins via the slackening Race 2 was postponed and finally got underway WWSC website. at about 14:00. Louise did well to complete her first race at a Finally, there are many future sailing events that we Spring 2011 major event, Georgia completed all 4 races, George finished encourage Youth to attend this year whether these are with a good 30 boats behind him and Emma 70th. The fleet Training sessions or Open Meetings. One of these events returned at about 15:30 after 5.5 hours of intense sailing. is the Laser Nationals at the end of August. Youth that are Well done everyone! But it wasn't all over for George who already hoping to attend are Verity Hopkins, David Haw, was involved in a protest. Although the protest was nullified Jacob Hamilton and myself. This will be held in Weymouth it was great experience for him and a few lessons learnt! this year and the atmosphere will be electric, seeing as Our guys and girls did well in a top quality fleet and a great the Olympics will be held there in a year’s time! If you are experience. For full results go to the web site and the links. 33 interested in any of these events and want to join in, then you may join the Weir Wood Youth FaceBook group, were information will be posted regularly. Or you can e-mail the Dover appropriate person via the WWSC website, where you can also read my Youth Blog! I hope you can take advantage of A great and wet time was had by 6 of our sailors at Dover. the amazing sailing opportunities the Youth have on offer Some big waves made it very challenging for some but it was today, and enjoy your sailing! a great experience in salt water! See you at the club! The Committee and Other Contacts Secretary Commodore Vice Commodore Treasurer

Geoffrey Bush Simon Davis Chris Fyans Chris Wilson

Sailing Secretary Membership Secretary Marketing Duty Co-ordinator

David Giles Ian Alderman David Whensley Dick Lankester

Web Master Cruising Secretary Social Secretary Magazine Editor

Tony Carter Mike Summers Jean Chisnall John Chisnall

Training Committee Chairman Boat Park Marshal House & Grounds

Peter Hargreaves Chris Moir Stephen Carr

Youth Training Youth Development Oppy Flotilla Leader Youth Rep

Allan Jones Chris Hopkins Mark Harrington Fiona Harrington

Copy date for next issue 31st August 2011 Editor: John Chisnall e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] Published by Weir Wood Sailing Club and Printed by Embassy Press (London) Limited