The magazine of Exe Club

EXE news Issue 95 Autumn 2014

www.exe-sailing-club.org

EXE news In this issue . . .

Issue 95 Commodore’s Notes ...... 4 Autumn 2014 Report ...... 7 Cruiser Update ...... 11 Editor Mike Coleman Training Centre Briefing ...... 15 Tel 07767 607118 From the House ...... 19 editor@exe–sailing–club.org Sailability ...... 21 Editorial Team Comet Trio Nationals ...... 23 Sue Hamilton Anna Marks Bar, Restaurant and Social ...... 26

Advertising Start of a New Era – Ben Cornish ...... 28 Ad enquiries please contact RTYC Offshore Week ...... 31 [email protected] Club Secretary ...... 33 This issue printed by A Yachtie’s Worst Nightmare ...... 35 Optima Graphics Topsham Steph Bridge ISAF World Sailor Nominee ...... 38 Tel 01392 873822 First 31.7s at Dartmouth Week ...... 43 www.optimagraphics.co.uk Larry the Lucky Lobster ...... 45

Member Profile – Steve & Rachel Hughes .... 47 Cover photo

Comet Trio Nationals 2014 Mick Marshall With thanks to all our contributors and advertisers We always need good photos for the cover and articles. Please send your best shots during the season to [email protected]. Thank you.

Exe News 95 3 Commodore’s Notes

t's the end of another season and time to reflect on the past year and what my aspirations are for the future of the club. At the beginning of 2014 the main risk I to the club was falling membership and a demographic trend that was biased toward the older generation. I am pleased to say that by some very proactive work by Nick Webber in regard to persuading members to renew and by the Training Centre in capturing new members we have been able to maintain a healthy position and even drag the age bias lower. However, the risk remains (shared by many other clubs) and there will be a renewed focus in 2015 to maintain a healthy position. I believe 2014 has provided everyone with the opportunity to enjoy their sailing and the range of dinghy and cruiser activities are by far the best available on the Exe and possibly further afield. The racing programmes delivered by Guy Farrant and David Palfreman have been well attended and the range of courses provided by the Training Centre have now expanded into the cruiser arena. The number of special events has included the Volvo Academy, Orestone Race, Champagne Challenge, 2000 Nationals, Trio Nationals and the Wine Run; all these alongside other activities such as the Dartmouth Regatta, Channel Week and the Exe Regatta. We’ve been able to implement investments set out in the Club’s development plan sooner than expected. Capital investment in Club boats has been the biggest in our history with two new RIBs, eight RS Visions and five Qubas joining the flotilla. It was essential to move forward rapidly in this area to address what I perceived as a major risk to the future sustainability of the Club. The development focus will now move to the Club's infrastructure. Plans are well in hand to provide a more welcoming environment for us and our guests. We are looking to resurface the car and dinghy parks, refurbish the interior and redevelop the main entrance to the clubhouse. I would encourage you all to attend the AGM on 5 December where a more detailed account of activity and aspirations will be presented.

4 Exe News 95

Finally, I would like to thank all those volunteers that make this club what it is. Without them we simply could not operate and enjoy our chosen sport. Whether it is providing a ‘trolley dolly’ service at major events, cleaning the premises, painting, instructing, organising or managing, your skills provide the foundation of the clubs ethos – thank you. I would urge anyone wanting to make the most of the club to lend a hand now and then; it really will be time well spent. Dave Preston Commodore

Find us at Pilot Wharf on the marina Telephone 01395 273248

Exe News 95 5

Dinghy Sailing Report Guy Farrant Dinghy Captain

oing back a full year, the last winter series consisted of fourteen races. Seven Trios competed and it was won by Tony Brewster. A total of 24 boats did some of G the races in the handicap class, which was won by Chris and Les in their RS400. The best turnout was on 10 November with 25 boats taking part. Iain Horlock won the SYC steamer on 6 April, postponed for the first time from its February date due to high winds. The ESC season started on the same day with only two Lasers and one Trio sailing three short races in SW4 gusting 5 with heavy drizzle. The first Wednesday attracted 17 and the midweek racing remains popular. Turnouts have ranged from eight (with strong wind on 9 July) to 31 on 26 May, compared to a maximum of 33 last year, with an average in the 20s. We have raced out to number 10 buoy a couple of times and the rounding has been changed to port. Similarly rounding of 14 buoy is now dependant on flood tide course 8 (to starboard) or on the ebb tide course 5 (to port). The format of race box starts on neaps and Up Spirits starts on springs works well and maintains variety and encourages full use of the estuary. At the weekends, to date we have been to sea seven times with numbers ranging from 6 to 14. One of these sea races has been cancelled due to no wind and another diverted to the estuary for a better sea breeze. To placate the fixed times at weekends lobby, 12 Saturdays have been programmed at 4pm. This seems to have make little difference to attendance, with numbers ranging from 8 to 14. A few have stayed on for a meal and drink afterwards and we’d like to encourage more of that. In total, strong winds have forced cancellation twice, no wind caused cancellation twice, and one race was abandoned as the wind died. The Volvo Academy event held on the weekend of 10-11 May was a first for the club. Volvo guests seemed to enjoy getting very wet having a quick blast in some heavily reefed club Qubas and Picos reaching back and forth off Shelly beach. On the Sunday in a SW 5-7 we had the privilege of training by Olympic gold medallist Helena Lucas. On the second May Bank Holiday Rex Frost ran a fun racing day for 14 novices in single handers. The Squires trophy on 8 June, run by Starcross attracted six Exe boats. The River Exe regatta was run by Topsham this year, in sunny, hot weather ideal for shorts. Fourteen Exe boats attended on the Saturday and ten participated in the Sunday pursuit race. /continued . . . Exe News 95 7

Notice of Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held at the club on Friday 5 December at 7.30pm. Forms for nomination of officers are now posted in the clubhouse. If you wish to nominate someone, please ensure that their name is added to this list by 28 November. Also, as per the Constitution, there will be no ‘Any Other Business’ at the AGM. If you have an issue you believe needs to be discussed please contact the Honorary Secretary, Nick Webber, before 28 November. Please keep checking the club website as, shortly, reports and accounts will be published in the members area. Printed copies will also be placed in a folder in the bar area at the clubhouse. Printed copies of the draft accounts will also be available on the night. If you have any questions about this please email [email protected] Nick Webber Hon Secretary

Dinghy Sailing Report (continued) The RS200 1 day open meeting on 12 July attracted only 9 entries when we normally expect 17-18 boats. Also disappointing was only one home entry despite 8 RS200s in the club. However the date did clash with the RTYC offshore week which took a few people away. Race officer Frankie Upton put on four good races coping with the wind going up and down with big shifts. It was won by the current national champions and all competitors went home happy. Bob Horlock is to be congratulated on organising a perfect 2000 National Championship. We hosted 39 boats who enjoyed a full range of sailing conditions and the club did them proud on and off the water. Ice creams for tallying back in and the trolley dollies also helped to create the right ambience. The class were very appreciative and have already expressed a wish to return in 2018 if possible. Tim Graham was the race officer for the Comet Trio Nationals sponsored by Noble Marine, held here 22-24 Aug , which were a great success. There were 7 visitors and 15 home boats making a total of 22 entries. The convincing winners were Andrew and Caroline McAusland.

This year the rubber matting for the Western slipway was extended and this works well, although inevitably it has suffered some wear and tear. It helps if dinghy sailors can remove sand from the mats before it builds up. The addition of the yellow RIB last autumn has helped with the safety aspects of dinghy racing. More VHF radios and race management tools have been purchased making the life of race officers a little easier. I hope the hardier sailors enjoy their winter series. If you’re not amongst them, here’s to next spring. Guy Farrant Dinghy Captain Exe News 95 9 Boat rewires and equipment installation GPS / VHF / Instrument connection Fully insured for on-boat work Cruiser Update David Palfreman Cruiser Captain

ell we have certainly had a summer haven’t we. Your fellow members have travelled far and wide with numerous coastal and cross-channel trips. This year W Cherbourg has been a more than usually popular destination. A seagull’s eye view in early June would have found some seven Exe boats, a recent record, congregating on our annual Wine Run, timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Carteret, Granville, the Channel Islands, Scillies and South Brittany have also figured in members travels. Some of us will have fond memories, or otherwise, of a roly-poly anchorage in Sark with the GPS anchor alarm going off at regular intervals during the night and the trek up the cliffs for a step back in time to explore the island! Others, not content with just sailing their own boat, have crewed whenever possible on a Brixham Trawler, Rachel and Steve Hughes having completed an enjoyable passage from across to Treguier. We also had the recent pleasure of welcoming Rose and Alfred Alecio, probably our furthest flung globetrotting members, making a flying visit home. Their boat ‘Ironhorse’ is currently in Malaysia being readied for the long journey home via The Cape. On the events front we were well represented in the RTYC ‘Offshore Week’ with Chris Rhodes, ‘Footloose’ and Stuart Hills, ‘Jenesis’ figuring prominently in IRC and Martin Minter ‘Maybee 3,’ Rick Newcombe ‘Exehibitionist’ and Rex Frost ‘Electra’ in non-IRC. Slightly further afield Sam Matson achieved a brilliant result in finishing 15th overall and second ‘Rookie’ in the single-handed Figaro Series. Come to Sam’s talk in November to hear more. Father Neil, following his disappointment at having to withdraw from the Round Britain and Ireland race entered the RTYC Triangle Race and achieved 5th in class and 7th overall. The River Exe Regatta took place over the weekend of Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June. It was regrettable that this year there was no category for Cruisers this year. As usual Dartmouth Regatta was both challenging and socially enjoyable with some nine member’s boats plus crews participating. The ‘Bay Race’ will stick in the memory being some three to four hours in near gale conditions and little more than a third of entrants completing the course. Our season finale, the Champagne Challenge, attracted in excess of forty entrants. Race Officer, Tim Graham, set what appeared to be a challenging course in the initial light-ish /continued . . . Exe News 95 11 Cruiser Update (continued) airs but in the event the wind piped up and provided an exhilarating sail in a somewhat uncomfortable swell, gybes across Torbay caused problems for some. Word has it that one or two may have to polish up on their coastal skipper skills to ensure correct mark rounding! Class winners, putting in creditable small boat performances in the conditions, were Fast Fleet: Mark Jenkins (Spoons) in his Salty Pup 23, ‘Roobarb’ and Club Class: Nick Martin sailing ‘Scat’ his Wharram Tiki 26 . Thanks are due to Rex Frost for organising the event, new sponsors LV= and Brixham Club for their hospitality. Thanks also to Rex for re- introducing an ‘Orestone Race’ and to Steve Best for putting up a cup. Some fourteen intrepid crews experienced sunshine, deluge and winds from all points of the compass. A ‘fun’ event which hopefully can be repeated with perhaps the beach option being more enticing. The winner was Chris Rhodes in ‘Footloose’. This has been the first year that the club has offered RYA Cruiser Training. Courses have been run each month during the season on board Karen Melling’s Westerly Regatta 330 ‘Zephyr’ which is fully coded. Club members have obtained Coastal Skipper, Day Skipper and Competent Crew certificates. During the five day courses ports visited have included Teignmouth, Salcombe and Portland harbour. All courses have involved an element of night sailing. Several club members have also taken the opportunity to gain the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) which is becoming more and more a requirement when chartering abroad. The feedback from members has been very positive. Next year plans are to increase the number of courses run over weekends and to run mile-builder courses enabling members to gain the necessary sea miles for their next qualification. The following year Karen is considering a Round Britain trip which members can join either for a course, mile-builder or just sail. To resolve concerns about handicaps, we have formed a Sub-committee comprising representatives of both Fast Fleet and Club Class (the new name for the Slow Fleet). A re-based set of handicaps took effect mid-season. The sub-committee will meet on a monthly basis during the season for reviews. Representations concerning individual boat handicaps will now be considered only in writing to the Handicap Sub-Committee. I should like to pay tribute to David Bernard who has tirelessly administered the scheme over the past couple of years, a role which seldom is applauded. 12 Exe News 95

Conditions for our evening races have seen generally light to moderate airs. When setting the calendar it was anticipated that we would lose some nine races from our Tuesday and Thursday evening programme due to lack of water in the channel. To compensate for this the season was extended into late September. However experience of navigating cruisers and RIBs amongst moorings in failing light conditions persuaded us to curtail activities, the last race being held on 16 September. Results for the five series of races; Spring, Fairway, Esilman, Macpherson, and LSC Cups are all on the Club website. Additionally a hard fought Damsel Trophy was won by Tineke Dixon helming ‘Wavelet’ . The winner of a well-supported RNLI race was Rick Newcombe on ‘Exehibitionist’. Afterwards we were joined in the bar by most of the crew and some £230 was raised for the RNLI. We have been pleased to welcome a number of new additions to both fleets this year making their racing debut at Exe. If you are currently a non-racer and would like to try your hand please remember that ‘Club Class’ comprises a diverse range of craft from around 20-35 feet with variations in performance and crew experience. Alternatively hitch a ride with an existing participant. It’s easier if you make contact with a skipper beforehand, but if you show up on a Tuesday or Thursday race evening before 17.45 you’re likely to get out (but don’t forget your lifejacket). Plans are well advanced for next year’s events calendar and an initial draft will be published on the club website shortly. It appears that tidal considerations may be kinder to us and we are hopeful of putting on a full and varied programme. Following my first season in this role, I’d like to thank fellow members for their help and support; Rex Frost for his wealth of knowledge and keeping me on the straight and narrow, Mike Coleman for his endeavours in lifting my computer skills, my predecessor Tineke Dixon, my fellow Handicap Committee members and many others. Also we would not be able to enjoy our chosen pursuit without the numerous volunteers, be it lifting in and out, Guy Farrant the organiser of ‘Dutyman’ and our RIB drivers, Race Officers for our Esilman line start series, Rick Newcombe and Vicki Allen our Club Professional for administration of ‘CrewExechange’ and many others. Thanks also to our bar and catering staff for tending to our needs, even when we turn up at unpredictable times. I wish you a productive laying-up period, be it exercising you practical skills on board or passage planning on the dining room table during those dark winter evenings. David Palfreman 'Speculator 2' Cruiser Captain [email protected]

Exe News 95 13 Kayak Rally Nick Webber

he Club’s fourth annual Exeter to Exmouth Oxfam Kayak Rally on Saturday 5 July proved an amazing success, beating last year's record with 108 kayaks/canoes and T two dragon boats taking to the water, containing in all 193 paddlers. A record £1700 was also raised for Oxfam. Just as importantly, everyone participating appeared to have had a really enjoyable fun day out on the water. The conditions and weather could not have been more perfect confounding earlier forecasts in the week. Most arrived early for registration at Exeter Canoe Club, Exeter Basin, embarking between 0930 and 1030 onto the canal under the watchful eyes of a team of cyclists and accompanying kayak safety officials. At 12 noon the last paddlers reached the canal end of the rally at The Turf where there were refreshments and a safety briefing by the river safety officials before everyone embarked onto the river en masse at 1230 on the turn of the tide.

On the river, there were 14 safety boats escorting the flotilla of craft down the west bank, accompanied by the sound of the drummers on the two dragon boats from Execalibre and Hurricane Clubs. On reaching the floating Exe River Cafe, the flotilla then altered course for Exe Sailing Club where everyone finished between 1300 and 1400 to enjoy further refreshments and a barbecue. Exe Sailing Club and Exmouth Oxfam Fundraising Group, would like thank all volunteers and sponsors whose contributions helped to make this another successful annual event. An earlier date of 9 May has been fixed for the 2015 event to get suitable tide times.

14 Exe News 95 Training Centre Briefing Vicki Allen Club Professional

ow - 2014 has been a great year for the Training Department and for me in my first year working at the club, with many courses – both adult and junior – W running to full capacity, and an active waiting list for many. Particular successes this year were the ESC Summer Week’s, where we had 54 budding sailors complete an RYA Youth Stage under the watchful eyes of course leaders Alice Morgan and Dale Lawson. The first 2 weeks had pretty good weather, but even rain on the third week didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for sailing across the group – many of these sailors have progressed and are taking part in Junior Race Training, X-Squad, and the new Junior Advanced Sailing Group, all designed to promote junior racing. When the sun shone (as it did for most of the summer!) we knew we were in for a busy Splashnight which proved as popular as ever. If you were ever at the club on one of those Fridays you definitely knew about it – several evenings ran with more than 65 participants. Many thanks to all the volunteers, instructors and parents who helped make these so successful again. 2014 saw the introduction of the RYA Cruiser Scheme to our programme. Our RYA Cruising Instructor, Karen Melling, ran 6 courses this summer aboard her yacht ‘Zephyr’, creating many newly qualified Competent Crew, Day Skippers and Coastal Skippers! With many enquiries already in, we’re hoping 2015 will be equally successful for Karen and her students, particularly as we will be adding some ‘mile builder’ courses into the programme to help members achieve their required miles for the more experienced courses. Many of the Cruiser Scheme students joined our Crew Exechange, which thanks to the ‘speed dating’ style event in March, had a huge number of members sign up. With such a high demand, it took us a while to work out how to document all the information and we are looking at ways of making the system work better in 2015 – bear with us. /continued . . .

Exe News 95 15 Seymour’s Domestic Appliances

39 Exeter Road Exmouth EX8 1PT Contact Ian Howells Telephone 01395 264 744 [email protected]

Hotpoint•Indesit•Candy•Leisure•Hoover Whirlpool•LG•Beko•Zanussi•Bosch Supply, repair and installation Training Centre Briefing (continued) Nick Webber, our Club Secretary, has done a great job welcoming new members to the club this year, and often he has been able to introduce them to me directly. We’ve tried to ascertain early on what information, services and/or training new members would like and individually cater for these needs. We hope we’ve done a good job as it’s been great to see so many new faces getting involved in club activities, racing and training. Whilst the training department still have information sent out through the club notices, and via our website and social media, you may have noticed a departure from the mass emails that have previously been sent. We have tried to highlight the specific needs and interests of our members, and have contacted people individually when we believe we have had a course that would be useful, relevant or interesting. Please do contact me though if there is any specific training or courses you are interested in, as I may well have something scheduled that would suit you, or I can add you to our ‘interested list’ so that I may contact you when we have something on our programme for you. We’re very proud of the great achievements of our junior sailors over this season, with so many of them not only training and racing, but volunteering days of their time to instruct for us too. This autumn, six of our home grown Assistant Instructors are progressing to the next level by attending an RYA Dinghy Instructor course, following in the footsteps of many other club members, who’s help throughout the year makes the training department what it is! What great role models you all are! Our autumn training programme is in full swing, and we hope to release the spring dates soon – I’ll keep you all posted. Vicki Allen Club Professional

Olympic 470 sailor Sophie Weguelin at the Volvo Sailing Academy weekend

Exe News 95 17

From the House Mick Marshall

t’s always a sad time when we come to the end of another sailing season, but what a good one we’ve had. So what have the house team been up to whilst the rest of you I enjoyed yourselves on the water? Well we took advantage of the good weather and had a spruce up of the exterior paintwork. This exercise started with replacing the outboard store door as the old one was rotten and not considered secure. After two coats of undercoat and two top coats we moved on to the bin screens and surrounding areas where we have adopted the new Atlantic Blue colour scheme to blend in with our neighbours. The cellar door and window were also prepared and re-painted. All of the work was completed in time for the 2000 Nationals, our target date. A new security camera and recording system have been installed to help our bar staff monitor the front door during the dark winter nights. At the same time a panic alarm button has been fitted behind the bar and a mobile one can be carried by the staff when locking up the club at night, a feature considered long overdue. The house team were also involved, along with Shaun Griffits, in installing the wiring and speakers for a new sound system in the bar and restaurant areas. This replaced the aging and unreliable piecemeal setup, which had long been an embarrassment for users. The new system integrates and allows for various sound and video inputs to make presentations much easier for the end user. No longer will the Commodore have to wander around the bar area during the AGM to get the microphone working. The work also included installing an induction loop system for those with hearing difficulties. You may have noticed that we have started work on replacing the aging gabion baskets to enhance our sea wall defences. The old ones have been in place for about thirty years but are now in danger of collapsing. So far twelve meters have been completed with a further fifty meters to go. At twelve meters a year, works should be completed within four years. We have also decided to reinstate the tidal surge barriers on the slipway, as without them a combination of large spring tides and a strong north westerly blowing down the estuary places the car park and clubhouse at great risk of flooding. Those of you who came down to witness the flood damage caused by last year’s winter storms will have seen just how vulnerable we are to spring tides. And finally, we intend to carry out another internal winter painting program, so if you find yourself stuck for something to do over the cold winter months after Christmas, then come on down to the warmth of the clubhouse and join us. Exe News 95 19 20 Exe News 95 Sailability Rick Newcombe

opefully many of you will have seen No ExEcuse out on the river or in and out of the marina entrance throughout the year. Without doubt this has been the H busiest season the Exe Sailbility project has ever had. From April and as I write (mid October) they are still at it, the team having provided 300 sailing sessions. We have welcomed back stalwarts of the project Stallcombe House, Bystock and WESC (West of England School and College for the Visually Impaired) plus newcomers for this season BIRT (Brain injury Rehabilitation Trust). In addition we have sailed many individual sessions for members in particular Dave, Martin and Becky, who have sailed from Topsham to Teignmouth this season. We were delighted to welcome ‘Miss Isle’ Natasha Lambert. A significantly disabled and courageous young sailor who, with her amazing team, were sailing her ‘Puff and Blow‘ (rudder and sheets controlled by Natasha sucking or blowing on a tube) Mini Transat (21 ft) yacht around the south coast to Wales – where she then climbed a mountain! All this whilst raising money for the RNLI, RYA Sailability and the Ellen McArthur Trust. Inspirational stuff; now how do we get hold of a Mini Transat?

Sailability on the Hawk presenting the ESC burgee to Natasha Lambert We also ventured to the Southampton Boat Show where Dave and Chris (both petrol heads at heart) were much impressed by the Wet Wheels project’s 300HP, 30 knot powerboat. I expect we will have to get one of those as well! /continued . . .

Exe News 95 21 Sailability (continued)

Given the amount of use ‘No Execuse’ is having we are busy putting plans together for a replacement for the 2016 season. To this end we have formed a small fund raising group and we are looking at a wide range of options to raise the approximately £25,000 we will need. In particular, on a local basis, we will be seeking commercial or individual sponsors (this is becoming a high profile project as No ExEcuse gets more and more use), national grant funding, and do look out for club based fundraising events. If anyone would like to get involved to help, advise or donate please contact me. On behalf of all the Sailability sailors, I would like to thank the team of volunteers, all of whom give up their time to make it possible for others to sail. They are all brilliant but in in particular the efforts of Nick Webber, Roger Moseley, Anna Marks, Mick Marshall, Guy Farrant and Roger Dunn are very much noticed and appreciated. I would also like to thank our fellow river users who have been so tolerant of our ‘getting in the way’ and who have welcomed the No Execuse sailors to the ‘estuary’ community. Stuart Line, Exe Water Taxi, Starcross Ferry and Exmouth Marina, that smile, wave, toot on the horn helps turn a sail into an experience . Without their support we could not continue. Thanks all – see you on the water in 2015. Rick Newcombe Comet Trio Nationals ESC 22-24 August 2014 Sponsored by Noble Marine

xe Sailing Club was pleased to see seven visiting trios attracted to the Nationals. With 15 home boats (of which two were charters) the fleet totalled 22; Comet E Trios are still alive and kicking. Over three days, race officer Tim Graham and his team ran seven races. All were triangle-sausage-triangle courses with a lead boat time of roughly 45 minutes. The weather was kind, cool temperatures for August and a few showers but no heavy rain. The wind ranged from near calm to a fresh 16 kts but fortunately the strong winds were from the NW and also being just pass neaps there were no big waves. The bay really was a nice place to go sailing. And as always a big thank you to organisers and helpers over the weekend, Here is a selection race reports by those placed near the front and back of the fleet . . . Race 1 Front: As the fleet arrived the course was already set, only for a 20* shift to cause a postponement as it was re-laid. At the gun the pin end was the place to be and Andrew and Caroline, and Iain and Charlotte popped out of the line to set an impressive early lead. Those with compasses were working overtime coping with the shifts associated with the passing clouds. We were 8th at the windward mark. Then for some exhilarating reaches and we gained a few places. In contention with Frankie Upton and Rosey Davies on the next beat and we managed to gain on one big shift. At the windward mark Fred Woodcock on port had a senior moment and crashed into Symon Garratt on starboard. By going deep and playing the shifts on the sausage run we gained more places. On the last reach of the second triangle we screamed towards the leeward mark and nearly caught Symon who had to luff. We were well pleased to gain a 4th. Guy 428 Back: Being our first nationals we approached the start with caution. However the lighter airs resulted in a clean get away. Being near the back it gave us a good view of the lead boats reaching the windward mark well ahead of the back leaving the field spread out. The rest of the race from our perspective was fairly uneventful. We crossed the line happy to have got around without mishap or crew mutiny. Symon 364 Race 2 Back: The soap was the only thing missing during frequent seawater sprays. It was all very exciting. Many Trios got a good start only to have a general recall. A black flag was hoisted for the second start. Symon and Lou 364 from Cotswold capsized at the windward mark but smartly righted her. They only took possession of their Trio 6 weeks ago. There was inter-family rivalry between the Horlocks with Iain showing his parents a clean pair of heals. Keith and Hazel Lawson in Daisy placed 14th also had competition from son Dale in 11th. Well done everyone for surviving. Ian & Mary 429

Exe News 95 23 Comet Trio Nationals (continued)

Race 3 Back: The race started as per normal with us watching the fleet disappear off into the distance. During the whole of the first lap the wind remained strong and a struggle ensued to exchange the last places. But as the race progressed the wind died and many were almost becalmed. On the final beat we took advantage of the light wind and joyfully passed three boats only to land ourselves with having to write a report. Pleased to have moved off last place though! Helen 335 Race 4 Front: Lovely wind, good starts by Piglet, Exe-t-sea and Red Alert who got away on starboard tack at the pin end. Creeping up on the inside track were Tony Brewster in Tamsyn 2 and Frankie Upton in Pebbles. At the windward mark Tony and Frankie tacked on to starboard as Piglet appeared on port. According to Andrew, Tony and Frankie appeared from nowhere very quickly and he had to avoid Tony’s transom but what about Frankie who had to take evasive action. Consequently the fleet watched with interest as Piglet did her 720 and then climbed back up the fleet to finish 7th. For the rest it was a procession to the finish with Iain and Charlotte first. Frankie 484 Race 5 Front: W - NW 15 kts. Andrew got away to a good start from the pin end but Symon Garratt started at the committee boat end. Surprisingly he was second at the windward mark, followed by Iain, Tony and Bob. There was a good steady breeze throughout the race and Andrew held on to win with Symon holding Iain in a close battle for second with Tony in 4th place followed by Bob, thus splitting the Horlocks. Tony 475 Back: We were serenaded by the Red Arrows at Dawlish . Some crews didn’t have time to look at them, but they couldn’t be ignored when they roared overhead. The wind was a lot steadier than it had been in the previous race, but even so there was the occasional gust such as the one that caught Kingfisher tacking up to the windward mark on the last lap; she then turtled but recovered without the safety boat. Another gust, or was it just pure strength from Graham Sykes, broke a shackle on Bill Gott’s boat Woozle. Luckily it didn’t stop them completing the course. Initially we were to do 4 laps, but was shortened to 3. That was a relief as the longest beat of the day was coming – returning to the club. After that a cup of tea and cake was very welcome. Ariel 365 Race 6 Front: A glassy estuary awaited the competitors on Sunday morning but after holding on the beach for 40 minutes they made their way out to sea on a gentle southerly breeze. Once the wind settled, the course was set close in to Dawlish Warren and the fleet set off in a shifty 6 kts on the by now familiar triangle sausage triangle. The start was clean and pretty much square to the wind. Guy and Marilynn despite having to duck starboard boats twice half way up the beat, popped out into the lead and were

24 Exe News 95 first to the windward mark by a big margin followed by Bob and Colette. Overnight leaders Andrew and Caroline and second place Iain and Charlotte were buried in the chasing pack. Guy and Marilynn sailed away to take the race victory but Bob and Colette were overhauled on the last beat, first by Martin Luce and Mark Osborne, who took second and then, inevitably, By Andrew and Caroline who took third and with it clinched their 5th Trio Nationals title. Bob 394 Back: The start was delayed until the sea breeze kicked in. Light winds which we struggled in. The 4 laps signalled were shortened to 3. Shifty and gusty wind. Couldn’t see much of the race from the back of the fleet. Triple Exe 426

Race 7 Front: Andrew was first round the windward mark. He then had a senior moment and lead the fleet astray heading for the wrong mark. Some including Godfrey Ayres realised the error and rounded the correct wing mark and so to their surprise were unusually well up. However the windward mark had started to drift so the race was abandoned. On the restart Andrew led round the windward mark and never looked back. Guy and Marilynn enjoyed the lighter winds finishing 2nd, followed by Iain, Tony, Bob (splitting the Horlocks again), then Symon Garratt and Peter Labdon. Tony 475 Back: The wind filled in giving a slight bias to the committee boat end with rather chaotic queuing. The restart was orderly with the usual suspects arriving late at the windward mark. An enjoyable sail around with the gentle breeze and flat sea. A few battles between friends with Woozle losing out. Woozle 450

Exe News 95 25

Bar and Restaurant A new way to pay for your food You are now able to pay for food using prepaid credit on your membership card. A new till has been installed at the restaurant desk. You can use, and top up with cash, your card at both the bar and kitchen because the two tills are now linked. Bank card top ups are restricted to the bar only during busy periods. Benefits include faster food ordering and a reduction in the need for small change. We have reviewed food prices and we are able to retain existing food prices for members using membership cards. Cash purchases have incurred a price increase. When you pay using credit on your membership card, you will automatically receive a 10% discount from the advertised regular food prices. Catering this Winter Please continue to support us during the autumn and festive periods. Restaurant meals, the specials board and the snack menu will be available on Tuesday and Friday evenings. The snack menu is also available on Sunday lunchtimes with the popular Jazz Lunches taking place monthly. On Tuesdays, we offer our special steak menu deal of two courses for £9 (member’s price paying by membership card.) Members’ Festive Lunches (advanced booking essential) Friday 19 December - Club Festive Lunch 12.30. Open to all Pre-ordered Roast plus dessert for £13 Sunday 21 December - Family Festive Lunch with Carol Singing afterwards Pre-ordered Mains plus dessert for £13 (junior portions £7) PRIVATE FUNCTIONS The Clubhouse and facilities are available for holding member functions. Contact me for details at [email protected] We offer excellent value in a unique setting. Why not come to the Exe for your festive function? Ted Draper, Bar & Catering

BAR (open) RESTAURANT (for orders) Monday Closed Closed Tuesday 7 – 11pm 7 – 8.30pm Wednesday 7 – 11pm Closed Thursday 7 – 11pm Closed Friday 7 – 11pm 7 – 8.30pm 12 – 2.30pm Closed Saturday 7 – 11pm Closed Sunday 12 – 2.30pm Snacks 12.30 – 2.30pm

26 Exe News 95

Bar and Restaurant Social Review and Events A new way to pay for your food Here’s a selection of forthcoming social events which we hope you will enjoy. You are now able to pay for food using prepaid credit on your membership card. A Please check club noticeboard or website to confirm details in case of changes. new till has been installed at the restaurant desk. You can use, and top up with cash, Contact Mary Fagan – email [email protected] or telephone 01395 265849. your card at both the bar and kitchen because the two tills are now linked. Bank card Club number for bookings is 01395 264607. top ups are restricted to the bar only during busy periods. Benefits include faster Barn Dance food ordering and a reduction in the need for small change. Saturday 15 November 7.30pm We have reviewed food prices and we are able to retain existing food prices for with Barnstormers band Curry supper (vegetarian option) members using membership cards. Cash purchases have incurred a price increase. When you pay using credit on your membership card, you will automatically receive RNLI Cheese & Wine Evening a 10% discount from the advertised regular food prices. Thursday 27 November 7.30pm Wine, cheese and nibbles plus cards and gifts stall Catering this Winter Please continue to support us during the autumn and festive periods. Restaurant Traditional Christmas Lunches meals, the specials board and the snack menu will be available on Tuesday and Weekdays in December for your work or social party See noticeboard. Buffet meals also possible. Please contact Ted to book Friday evenings. The snack menu is also available on Sunday lunchtimes with the popular Jazz Lunches taking place monthly. On Tuesdays, we offer our special steak Jazz Lunch menu deal of two courses for £9 (member’s price paying by membership card.) Sunday 14 December 12 noon – booking essential Members’ Festive Lunches (advanced booking essential) Club Talent Night Friday 19 December - Club Festive Lunch 12.30. Open to all Thursday 18 December 7.00pm Pre-ordered Roast plus dessert for £13 A showcase for our entertainers! Please contact Mary if you’d like to take part Sunday 21 December - Family Festive Lunch with Carol Singing afterwards Pre-ordered Mains plus dessert for £13 (junior portions £7) Members Christmas Lunch Friday 19 December 12.30pm (following Friday morning coffee) PRIVATE FUNCTIONS The Clubhouse and facilities are available for holding member functions. Contact me Christmas Carols for details at [email protected] We offer excellent value in a unique Sunday 21 December 12.30pm setting. Why not come to the Exe for your festive function? Festive lunch followed by carol singalong and arrival of Santa. New Year’s Eve Party Ted Draper, Bar & Catering Wednesday 31 December 9pm See in the New Year at ESC with music and dancing Thursday Evening Talks First one is 8 January 2015 – 7.30 for 8pm start Geoff Skinner – Restoration of HMS Victory Annual dinner and prize giving Saturday in late February/early March to be confirmed

Exe News 95 27 Start of a new era Ben Cornish or the past 4 years I have been a member of the British Sailing Team – racing the hugely competitive Laser. The 2013 season ended at our World Championships F last November in Oman. This event was a key selector going forward into the coming Olympic cycle to Rio. I had spent the whole summer working towards the event, including strict diets to cope with the expected light sea breezes (even so I was still one of the bigger sailors). My week didn't go entirely to plan and I missed the cut for Gold fleet by 1 point after six races. This was totally devastating. I was welcomed home by a surprising phone call from my coach. The team were keen to try me in a new class – the Finn – which, unlike the Laser, was struggling to attract up and coming talent. The Finn has an elite handful of sailors however, no real young talent to keep the pipeline flowing in the future. My first reaction was ‘absolutely not’. When you set your sights on a target within sport, it's virtually impossible to hold your hands up and say that you're ready to give up. I found the decision extremely difficult. After a lot of thought and talking to a number of people in the team, friends and family, I decided to give it a go. I sit here eight months down the line and can't believe I even thought twice about the opportunity. One danger of the Laser is that within the squad were six sailors of similar high standard – every week different people would come out on top. There was very little separating them and it was hard to see this from the inside. Joining the Finn squad brought challenges. I had gone from being one of the more senior members of the Laser squad to new kid on the block. Entering a team with some sailing legends, like Giles Scott and Ed Wright, was very intimidating at first. It's a total honour to be part of this elite team and I have learnt so much in the past eight months. Being able to pick the brains of one of the world's best sailors gives me great confidence that my progress will be fast within the fleet. I have developed solid relationships with all the Finn boys and they have made my transition easy. Everyone has gone out of their way to get me up to speed, not to mention ensuring I am always eating! I am still learning the ropes of the boat and a long way from the top but am starting to get to grips with the boat setup and the style of sailing required. I have just returned

28 Exe News 95 from Santander where the ISAF Worlds took place. We had some crazy wind, the likes of which I have never experienced – 180 degree wind shifts as the gradient wind battled with the sea breeze resulting in long days without much racing. I struggled with some of the decision making as I was focussed on getting the boat going so missed some key racing decisions. It was a great learning experience and a good end to the season with competitive racing against the world's best. I am excited about the winter training program and getting up to racing speed with fellow team mates and am confident I will be able to compete towards the front of the fleet next season. Looking further ahead, there is a chance I will start to work alongside Giles as training partner towards his quest for gold in Rio which will be an incredible learning experience as I continue on my own Olympic hunt to 2020. I would like to thank everyone at Exe Sailing a Club for their kind support and interest in my sailing over the past number of years. Ben Cornish

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RTYC Offshore Week with Exehibitionist he annual Offshore Week hosted by Royal Torbay Yacht Club is a popular event amongst Exe cruiser racers. It consists of the channel race - Torbay to Guernsey - T and 5 passage races starting in St Peter Port and then down the Brittany coast west to Trébeurden. Apparently the racing is semi-serious and the partying relentless ... This year ESC was represented by Footloose, Jenesis, Maybe and the two First 31.7’s Electra and ExEhibitionist. The overnight channel race was interesting. ExEhibitionist's crew were Matt and Charlie King, Shaun Spring, George Melbourne and Rick Newcombe. For Charlie and George it was their first channel crossing. The vast majority of the fleet (sensible people) took account of the forecast and crossed to St Peter Port the day before or delayed for a day. But Footloose and ExEhibitionist went for the race. Southwesterly 20-30 knots and rain. At 0300 the skipper summed up ‘I believe this has now progressed from enjoyment to endurance’ just after a sustained period of 30 plus knots and another bucketful of cold water down the neck as the crew got the second reef in. Then – relief - the sky lightened, the wind eased and we rounded Les Hanois at about 0530. Still 20 plus knots and big seas, so spinnaker up and yippee - we beat the boat’s speed record as the log dialled up to 14.7. Skipper flying kite from foredeck was seen to have both eyes firmly shut at that point. Eventually into St Peter Port for brekkie and kip after a 13 hour crossing. On Sunday the fleet set off for Saint -Quay-Portrieux and a week of champagne sailing, early starts, moderate winds and warm sunshine. It’s a huge marina with possibly the most complicated showers in Europe. Then on with the serious business of eating and drinking, a challenge to which ExEhibitionist’s young crew easily rose. Next day was a race along the rocky coast to Treguier, shortened as the wind dropped and the strong Brittany tide turned so we motored into this beautiful river. Next day was a lay day, with the high spot of the Abba pontoon party. Each crew had to dress in suitable attire and perform (I use the term loosely) an Abba song. It was not a pretty sight. The Jenesis cross dressers raised a few eyebrows and won admirers. The boys wore their painted nails with pride for the rest of the week. It became quite clear exactly why the French had chosen to build the cathedral and the main part of the town so far from the river. The party went into the small hours and on ExEhibitionist there was some distress when the younger crew members were reminded that at 0530 they /continued . . . Exe News 95 31 RTYC Offshore Week (continued) were navigating the ship out of the eight mile estuary and onto the race course. Despite sore heads, our able crew achieved the task with distinction, with a spot-on sail choice for the race to Trébeurden – a lovely spot on the Granite Coast. That evening was a quieter one for us to recover from the Abba trauma and recharge for the 60 mile sail back to St Peter Port the next day. The haul to Guernsey in light winds took 11 long hours, enlivened by an extended visit from the Brittany dolphins - or were they porpoises? Friday was the second lay day – a coastal walk, great swim and final dinner at Guernsey Yacht Club. Offshore racing – it’s a hard life. Back across on Saturday. An exciting start as the spring tide spat us out of the Little Russell like a cork from a bottle and then pretty much hard on the wind to a shortened finish off the Channel Light Vessel. A little tanker dodging in patchy visibility livened up an otherwise straightforward crossing back to Torbay. All in all a great event - with the challenge of the channel crossings, especially the night time channel race and day racing in good company on the amazing Brittany coast. Rick Newcombe ExEhibitionist GBR2524L

Payroll, Book-keeping & Sage Training st 1 floor Tel: 01395 276622 20 Rolle Street Fax: 01395 260380 Exmouth EX8 1NJ

Book-keeping at a monthly fixed fee. Payroll from £6.75 (ex vat) per pay run

For all your Book-keeping and Payroll needs contact Julie Brown [email protected] www.partnersinpayroll.co.uk Club Secretary Nick Webber his is my second year as Honorary Secretary and it is this time of the year that I have to plan for the AGM in December. It also gives me the opportunity to reflect T on the nature and responsibilities of my role, the health of the Club’s membership and my other activities, which I would like to share with you now. Gatekeeper (in more ways than one!) – I attend to all correspondence and emails, forwarding where necessary to the people on management team. The Commodore is updated when we meet every Friday morning with the Club’s bookkeeper. Membership – my primary and most rewarding duty is serving existing and new members. Enquiries and applications are discussed weekly with the Commodore and a monthly report is submitted to management. Membership is the bread and butter of our Club and I am conscious of the need to be approachable at all times, even if the weather dictates that I should drop everything to get out on the water! Management Committee – in conjunction with the Commodore I have to organise and prepare for our monthly management meetings. This involves agreeing an agenda, requesting and collating reports from the chairs of our various committees, taking minutes, advising on constitutional implications, chasing up on action points and publishing the reports and minutes. Copies are filed in the red folder next to the bar. They should give an accurate record of important decisions made on behalf of the membership. We always welcome feedback! Administration – personnel records, insurance, health and safety records, licenses, membership database, car parking permits are other areas of the Secretary’s responsibility. In addition annual returns have to be submitted to the RYA and HMRC, the latter in respect of our status as a Community Amateur Sports Club. Club Membership – with a turnover of some 8% a year, the Club is always open for new members joining. In recent years, we have always had a waiting list. However, the last economic downturn and other factors have resulted in vacancies to fill in common with many other clubs. Currently we have capacity for a dozen or so more members. We have had some 18 enquiries since end July which have yet to be converted. This is a good position to be in particularly during the sailing season when we tend to get most enquiries which we could easily lose to the other clubs on the river. Other Activities – assistant instructor, Trio sailor, Sailability, and kayaking. We have run four successful annual kayak rallies for Oxfam to date with a fifth planned for 9 May 2015. On the back of this and recognising the number of our members with kayaks, we have set up a Kayak Community Interest Group with plans to organise training and day trips for the winter months. Suggested venues are Tiverton Canal, rivers Dart and Teign, and Budleigh to Ladram Bay. Details will be posted in due course.

Exe News 95 33

Christmas & New Year’s Eve Festive menu brochure out now Telephone 01395 272100 [email protected] www.waterfrontexmouth.co.uk The Waterfront Pier Head Exmouth EX8 1DU

38 Exe News 95 A Yachtie’s Worst Nightmare aving left her in in Fiji over the austral winter, we rejoined Aqualuna, our 55 foot yacht in October 2013. We had discovered that the batteries were not charging H properly and engaged an electrician in the marina to service them. We visited the beautiful and remote Lau islands before setting off for Nelson on the South Island of New Zealand. However, on the sail down there we encountered further problems, this time with the battery charger. We duly had this replaced by a local marine electrician. We left Nelson on Monday 9 December and set sail towards Auckland. We spent a night at Ship’s Cove where Captain Cook used to call in to careen Endeavour and gather fresh supplies. On Thursday we anchored in Chaucer Bay in The Bay of Many Coves where we had a lovely supper in the cockpit. It was a beautiful setting with wonderful bird song, the forest reaching to the water’s edge and no other yachts or people around. We went below early as it was getting cool on deck and went to sleep at around 10:30. We had secured the dinghy on the forward cleat so we would not hear it plopping in the water by our aft cabin. At around 1.30am the gas alarm went off. This was in a locker under the sole of the just outside our cabin. Jonathan got up to investigate and when he opened the cabin door he was met by thick, black acrid smoke. I immediately got up and grabbed a couple of tea towels hanging on the oven rail. After wetting them under a tap, I gave one to Jonathan to put round his mouth and nose and put the other around mine. As we moved forward, Jonathan grabbed the fire extinguisher. I headed up on deck knowing the only useful thing I could do was find a means of escape if we could not put the fire out. I pulled the dinghy aft and tied it to the rail above the swim ladder. Returning to the aft deck, I found Jonathan was trying to get out of our cabin hatch but could not get purchase to push himself out. We could not see a thing, it was very dark and our eyes were streaming. Jonathan was coughing badly, the damp cloth hanging uselessly round his neck. After an adrenalin rush and with me pulling he finally got out. However, the fire extinguisher had failed to go off and the fire was still blazing. He rushed into the centre cockpit to the main hatch to and operate the EPIRB. As he was doing that I mentioned that I had packed the grab bag ready for our sail up to Auckland. It was in the forward cabin so he ran down through the hatch and retrieved it. /continued . . .

Exe News 95 35 A Yachtie’s Worst Nightmare (continued) As he was coming back up a fireball came up through where he had been just a minute before. He was unable to get back aft so I jumped into the dinghy but could not get the engine going. The flames were creating huge sparks everywhere so I had to just paddle away. It wasn’t safe to approach the forward section to pick him up as the dinghy may have melted so he jumped in and swam. But the grab bag got caught on the stem fitting and he could not reach to release it. After two goes to start the outboard we set off across the bay where we could see lights about a mile away. They were from a lodge hotel for walkers. We moored alongside the pontoon and ran, me in my pyjamas, Jonathan naked bar the tea towel to maintain his modesty, yelling for help. The staff came out eventually thinking we were noisy guests. When we pointed to the flaming yacht they pulled us into the reception and called the emergency services. The volunteer firemen and paramedics were based in Picton, about 1½ hours away by boat. When they arrived they dropped off the paramedics to deal with us, giving us oxygen and nebulisers and lots of care. The hotel staff had found dressing gowns and slippers and given us hot drinks. They let us use their phone to call our insurance company, Jonathan’s sister Janice who was the EPIRB emergency contact, and of course our children. I mentioned to the paramedics who were in contact with the firemen that we had left the grab bag hanging on the bow. Fortunately they were able to save it as it was the only section which did not catch fire. The firemen realised it was too late to save Aqualuna. Rather than risk A still from the Fire Service video her drifting onto the beach with the bush at water height, they sank her. The fire boat took us the next morning to Picton from where we were taken to hospital in Blenheim. She was salvaged in five charred pieces a few days later but nothing was saved, The firemen reckoned the temperatures were over 600° as the bottom of the aluminium mast had melted before toppling over. We have no idea what actually caused the fire. What have we learnt from this? 1. Give your powder fire extinguishers a shake each month and preferably stow them on their sides, not upright. The reason ours did not work was probably that the powder had compacted in the bottom. It was still in date and checked by us on a regular basis but not shaken. Consider ‘clean agent’ types such as the PFE-1. 36 Exe News 95 2. Have smoke alarms in every cabin. We were lucky to be awoken by the gas alarm, but by the time that it went off the smoke had filled the cabin and dropped to below floor level, too late to save the yacht. 3. Cover your face and nose with a damp cloth. It stops you breathing in the harmful smoke. Jonathan’s cloth did not stay around his nose and mouth as he was too intent on trying to save the yacht. Consequently he was coughing up thick black stuff for the first twelve hours in hospital, his oxygen levels were low and he had to remain in hospital for two days on oxygen and a nebuliser. Five days later we flew home and, having been cleared by the consultant, he caught pneumonia. Smoke is very dangerous and can kill. 4. If possible have a grab bag packed with passports and wallets kept to hand. We were at anchor in a calm bay and normally would not have had these things in it as ‘nothing that bad can happen’. 5. We should have taken the EPIRB with us and not left it in the cockpit as it was consumed by fire before it was able to send a signal. It can take up to 90 minutes for a COSPAS/SARSAT satellite to pass over any given location to detect the beacon. 6. We were lucky the dinghy was on the water to allow a quick escape. Had it been on its davits it would have taken longer to launch manually. The wire cutters were under the floor boards in the main saloon where the fire started, unreachable. We could have launched the life raft easily but having been in the dinghy nearby I realised that the heat sucks you towards it. A life raft would have been difficult to manoeuvre away from the flames. We could have swum to the shore but it was a very narrow beach with no easy way through the thick bush. With no roads or paths and the weather very cool at night, exposure and shock would have posed a problem. 7. We were very lucky this did not happen in the Lau islands at Fiji where there were no rescue services or hospitals and very little outside communication. Had it happened whilst we were at sea one of us would have been on watch and smelt something and hopefully been able to deal with it before it became a real problem. The New Zealanders were amazing with their offers of help and open door attitude. The Marlborough Sound harbour master received over 100 calls and emails offering clothes and accommodation. The ‘Bay of Many Islands Lodge’ team were so kind allowing us to use the phone, giving us hot drinks and staying up all night with us and making sure we had essential provisions. We are now in the process of having another yacht built of the same make. We loved Aqualuna, she took us through storms and across oceans and was a beautiful yacht to sail; fast and comfortable and perfect for exploring the world. We intend to start all over again, all being well. Gabrielle Lyne © May 2014 (not for reproduction or circulation) Exe News 95 37 Steph Bridge ISAF World Sailor of the Year Nominee t is not often that one of our club members gets mentioned in the same breath as James Spithill of America’s Cup fame and Ben Ainslie, Britain’s golden boy of Olympic I sailing. How come? The ISAF Rolex World Sailor Awards are the highest award a sailor can receive in recognition of outstanding achievements by the world of sailing. Launched in1994 previous winners include Ben Ainslie and Pete Goss for GBR in the male category with Ellen MacArthur and Shirley Robertson as women's winners. Steph Bridge is no stranger to the winner’s rostrum in National, European and World Kiteboard racing. She has been the Woman’s world champion on four occasions prior to 2014 and was runner-up in 2013. At this year’s Worlds held in Burc Beach Turkey she took the first race and topped the leader board for the rest of the week. She won five of the other races to seal her fifth world title. In the women’s category for World Sailor of the Year, Steph is one of three nominees, in her case for her proven race record and her enthusiasm and perseverance in promoting kiteboarding internationally. Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (Brazil) have been nominated for taking gold at the 2014 ISAF 49erFX class world championships having previously dominated the class in earlier events. The other female nominee is Charline Ricon of France who is the 2014 Women’s RS: X (windsurf) World Champion and also holds the European title. In the male category there are five nominees: - Matt Belcher and Will Ryan (Australia) have dominated the Men’s 470 class for the last two years winning the Worlds in 2013 and 2014; - Pete Burling and Blair Tuke (New Zealand) are 2013 and 2014 49er World Champions; - Bill Harding (USA) is the current Etchells world champion. He has also acted as tactician for our own Ian Williams to help bring success on the world match racing circuit; - Giles Scott (GB) comes in as the current world champion of the Finn class; - James Spithill (Australia) skippered Oracle, winner of the 34th America’s Cup. So Steph is up there with the world’s current sailing stars. You need to be a World Champion or equivalent to survive the short listing process. The two award winners are selected by the ISAF Member National Authorities. The winners will be announced at the ISAF World Sailor of the Year Award Ceremony in Mallorca on Tuesday 4 November. 38 Exe News 95 We must all keep our fingers crossed that Steph’s achievements are recognised by as many national authorities as possible. So how did Steph get to be number one at kite boarding? Her father Peter ‘Spud’ Rowsell became a first class boat builder, a champion dinghy helmsman and Olympic triallist who encouraged his children to take to the water. From her mother Jan she inherited her ‘always on the go’ work ethic. At one of the Club’s ‘get youngsters on the water evenings’ Step, at seven, was seen to have a natural talent for helming a dinghy. It was not long before she was crewing in a Cadet dinghy and later took the helm of Scud, the family Cadet 956. As a crew she had her first experience of a Cadet National Championship at Burnham on Crouch in 1981. As a helm she was selected to represent the UK in the International Cadet Class World Championships in Bombay in 1988 and on the Ijselmer in Holland the following year. The club was fortunate to have Michael McNamara who had trained as a teacher but was now running X Sails. Michael has won many National sailing titles over the years and was keen to use his teaching skills to pass on his knowledge to the next generation. Many of his trainees, including Steph, have gone on to win national and international events at home and abroad. In 1992 Steph and husband Eric set up the Spinnakers Sailing Centre, operating from Little Shelly beach. Competitive dinghy sailing took a back seat as their efforts went into building the business. Many of Spinnaker’s pupils have gone on to making sailing their sport and sometimes their careers. Steph has fond memories of passing her skills and love of the sport to new sailors. The Bridge family have a love of the Alpine mountains and skiing. They regularly took a ski chalet at Alp d’Huez and offered the downhill experience to their clients. Towards the end of the ‘Spinnakers’ era they discovered a new water sport which brought the same adrenaline rush as skiing down a black run slightly out of control – kite surfing. The entire Bridge family took to it like the proverbial ducks to water. Eric and Steph spotted the potential and from this Edge Watersports was born. The new

Exe News 95 39 40 Exe News 95 Steph Bridge (continued) venture was set up in 2004, initially from a shop at the back of the Exmouth Sports Centre facing the ‘duckpond’ on which clients were taught to handle the powerful kites. In 2013 the business moved to their present location at Exmouth Docks. Initially kitesurfing or kiteboarding was about learning to tame the kite but it was not long before the competitive urge set in and people began to race each other. The first formal kiteboarding race in Europe took place in the Algarve in 2007 which Steph won. This was the start of her winning streak. In the early days her dinghy racing experience gave her an edge but her competitors soon caught up. As the sport developed so did the rules governing it. The World Championships now comprise a series of 16 races. In a 15 knot breeze boards travel at around 17 knots to windward and up to 25 knots downwind. If the breeze is up a race can be over in 15 minutes. Normally four races a day will be scheduled using a windward/leeward course. One discard is permitted from the first 12 races. On the final day, four medal races are sailed, all of which have to count. At the start of a regatta competitors nominate one board and up to four kites all of which must be available to anyone – custom kit is prohibited. The kites must cover the full range of wind speeds expected. The lower the breeze the bigger the kite you need. Similarly the bigger you are the larger the kite needs to be. Not only do you need to sail fast you also need to be able to feather the kite and be almost stationary when manoeuvring for a start, and do it all instinctively. Steph has become a role model as a successful business woman, a mother of three boys who share her love of water sports and a multiple world champion. For those of you starting out on Club splash nights or sail training, perhaps with enough hard work and perseverance you can become an International star too. It would be icing on the cake if the majority of the 160 national federations were to vote in Steph’s favour to win the award of ‘2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year’.

Ben Jennings

As we went to print, we heard that Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze had been announced as winners of the Women’s ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year award. Congratulations to Steph on her well-deserved nomination, a rare distinction in itself.

Exe News 95 41

First 31.7 Fleet at Dartmouth Week ednesday of the Passage Race began with a howling south easterly and big waves, for Rick Newcombe and Rex Frost to get their boats to Brixham. Four W 31.7s were gathered for the start, by which time the wind had moderated a little. The race was still lively, with big waves and lots of tacking along the coast, but luckily with a favourable tide. Eauvation quickly showed her form and opened up a big lead, to be awarded first prize for the non-IRC fleet, although it took a while as the results sheet apparently ‘got lost’! Competition proper began next day and six 31.7s lined up for their Nationals (seven boats were promised but Aquilo was stuck in Shoreham with engine problems). They raced within Non-IRC 2 group, but with their own sub group results and trophy. With the breeze still up at 20kts,two good races were got in. Jason and Debbie Corlett (Eauvation) showed that they were a well polished team and set their mark on the week, scoring two firsts easily, with Rick Mead (Crystal Voyager) claiming two seconds. ExEhibitionist managed to break a guard rail wire, leaving two crew dangling at the windward mark on the first race, allowing Electra to beat them, for the only day of the week. Friday broke to even windier weather. Forecast to have gusts of 25kts, we were getting 35kts by mid–morning! A long Bay Race was set and all boats attempted to produce a strong wind , but again Eauvation (the only one to reef the main) proved very quick and slowly opened a gap ahead. With reports of boats and crew being broken, only three of the 31.7s finished the long trek. Electra, Rascal and Wookie retired and Rick Newcombe (ExEhibitionist) finished but with several (expensive) broken blocks and a torn main. A quick trip to Ivybridge ensued to get a useable main for Saturday. By Saturday the wind was down to mere teens, but the Corletts had set their mark on the event and had more firsts to add. This, from a boat which had been in cruising mode for over a month, having sailed from Douglas, IOM! The final day was at last blessed with sun and a fair westerly, so full sails

Exe News 95 43 First 31.7s at Dartmouth (continued) for everyone. Wookie though, went back to Lymington early and Rascal (Solent/ Windermere) also departed after the first race. The others had more tussles with the quick Elans in the fleet. Again the Corletts stayed in front and completed the week with a solid line of bullets, Crystal Voyager (Weymouth) coming in just behind, with all 2s. It was a great week of sailing and top competition for everyone, with a good fleet dinner in The Ship on the Wednesday and a wonderful barbecue (thanks Rick), overlooking the fireworks, on the Thursday. The Beneteau Tankard was awarded to the Corletts by Rick Newcombe, last year’s winner. Rex Frost First 31.7 Electra Larry the Lucky Lobster n July Red Fox was on its way to Penzance in preparation for the PASAB which is a night race to St Mary's, a race around the Islands, then a race back to Penzance. We I overnighted in Newlyn harbour which was packed with fishing boats. As the weather was quite hot (remember that) we thought a lobster salad would be nice for lunch the next day. We spoke to the friendly Harbour Master and asked what were the possibilities of sourcing a cheap crustacean. No problem he assured us – ‘It will be in your cockpit in the morning And it will only be £10’. Very good we said. Deal done. We were up early in the morning and off to the breakfast stop the market traders use. After a fine full English it was back to the boat, and low and behold there in a plastic carrier bag, was Larry the Lobster looking well and very much alive. Checking the galley we hadn't got a pot big enough to cook him in, so I said I would scour the local charity shops to see if I could find one. You can’t leave him in that bag all day my sensitive crew told me, so to keep the peace I found a fish basket and put it and the lobster in the water to keep him fresh. Now Newlyn isn't that big, but it took me an age to find a cheap pot big enough to cook him in. I got the kettle of hot water and the pot onto the pontoon and checked that Larry would fit in. Opening up the plastic bag I was ready to take him out and place into the pot. He appeared to be asleep or dead, so I got hold of him and offered him to the pot. He didn't seem to like that and with an almighty flick of his tail and a wiggle, he so surprised me I dropped him and he plopped into the harbour and was away at great speed to the bottom of Newlyn harbour. I was gutted that the tasty meal that we were looking forward to, and that had cost me all of £10, had escaped the cook pot. Later in the local pub I was telling the sad tale to one of the locals and he told me ‘Oh that would be Morgan the RNLI bloke. That’s his trained lobster Larry. So far he’s made £200 off him this season.’ True or false I’m not sure but beware of buying a lobster in Newlyn. Colin Leach Red Fox

Exe News 95 45

Member Profile Steve & Rachel Hughes Rachel – Born in Queensland, Australia, loved the idea of sailing from an early age but circumstances made this impossible. On moving to the UK in 1988, she became more and more determined to do something about it and in 2003, she booked a holiday in Salcombe and learned to sail dinghies. Steve – Born in Sheffield, was also introduced to sailing from an early age. Whilst on a caravan holiday with his family in Dawlish, he remembers watching ‘jealously’ as the Cadets sailed backwards and forwards around the River Exe – this was to help grow his passion for sailing. His first experience of sailing had been at the age of 7 in a dinghy, a Wildcat, on the local Welbeck Reservoir. He learned to sail ‘properly’ on the Thames from the age of 10 in the family’s sturdy boat, Meteor, an old 12 square metre built of pitch-pine and oak. Rachel and Steve met in 1988 whilst working for Plant Breeding International in Cambridge, Rachel as a PA and Steve as a Research Scientist, and they became firm friends. Steve moved to the South West in 1997; they stayed in touch and Rachel joined him in 2003 when they began sailing regularly together. They bought Stardust, their current boat, a Sadler 34, in 2004 and married shortly after that. What are your hobbies and interests? Rachel is a DLA (Deputy Launch Authority) with the RNLI. This involves taking calls from the Coastguard when a life boat or some form of assistance is needed. It’s the DLA who makes the decision on how to respond – whether to launch a boat and which boat to launch. Rachel’s involvement with the RNLI began as an Offshore Member in 2004, and when she retired she felt she had the time and the interest to become more involved. She felt she wanted to ‘give back’ in some way to the local community. She started the RNLI volunteer process as a DLA in late 2013, and after training and shadowing other DLAs, went solo in June 2014. Steve is a member of Exmouth Rowing Club and trains somewhat irregularly. He built his own canoe some years ago but this year converted it to a combined sailing canoe and single scull. His ambition is to compete in a ‘single sculler’ rowing race at the age of 70! /continued . . . Exe News 95 47 Member Profile Steve & Rachel Hughes (continued) Both Rachel and Steve are passionate about the Trinity Sailing Trust and became heavily involved in 2012 when they booked a holiday on Provident, a Trinity vessel. Trinity was established in 1999 by uniting three organisations with similar interests in youth welfare and maritime heritage, each with its own historic vessel, built locally in South Devon. The Trust has two main purposes, firstly to provide sail training to benefit young people, particularly those with disadvantaged backgrounds; secondly to preserve historic vessels and to enable people from all walks of life to experience life under traditional sail and learn about the history the vessels represent. The sailing holiday on Provident had particular appeal as its destination was Brittany for the Classic Boat and Music Festivals in Brest and Douarnenez – they thought it would make a great summer holiday. Once the holiday was over, they were smitten and felt they wanted to make a personal contribution to the work of the Trust. In addition to offering themselves up as paying crew as opportunities arise, they now work each winter (once a week from January through to March) on the refits for the fleet of three boats, Leader, Golden Vanity and Provident, which take place in Brixham. They continue to be loyal supporters of the Trust and their next trip is planned for next summer. What has been your sailing experience as a couple? Stardust was originally owned by Betty and Howard Williams (previous ESC members and well known members of the Exmouth community). She has always ‘lived’ on the Exe and will be 30 years old next year – the intention is to enter her into the Classic Boats Regattas, particularly the Heritage Regatta in Brixham. In addition to sailing Stardust regularly, they sailed in the Tall Ships Race in 2008 from Falmouth to Portugal (in a Dutch boat Tecla). Cruising across the Bay of Biscay was spectacular – there was so much to observe. Miles from the nearest land, swallows visited the boat, as well as a bat, which hung onto Rachel’s sleeve whilst she was on the helm. You can imagine her nonchalant expression! When they were delivering a Trinity Trust vessel, a Brixham Trawler Leader, to Brixham from Liverpool in October 2013 for a winter refit, they were visited by a turtle dove. It was the 121st time Leader had come to her home port for the winter, and the arrival was especially poignant. In May 2014 they raced Provident in the Heritage Regatta and came third in a very exciting finish!

48 Exe News 95 Rachel and Steve took joint retirement in September 2012 and decided to take a gap year. They became ‘boat bums’ and spent the summer sailing in France. Having had such a marvellous time they’d like to do it again in Brittany and perhaps go to Spain or Ireland. When did you become members of ESC? Rachel and Steve joined ESC in 2004 – it was Steve’s eleventh sailing club! Prior to becoming an ESC member he belonged to Topsham Sailing Club but it made more sense to get involved in Exmouth – they particularly enjoy the camaraderie of the club! They became joint Cruiser Captains in 2008 and remained in office for 3 years, thoroughly enjoying being involved with the management of the club and making a contribution. They worked hard to bring the dinghy and cruiser fleets together by arranging ‘cross over’ events and encouraging cruiser owners to help with the dinghy safety boat. They also introduced the ‘Cruisers in Company’ weekends. What have been some of your most challenging experiences on the water? Rachel recollects capsizing in a Pico at the start of her sailing career and falling overboard with the jib sheets tangled around her legs! Steve whilst finishing a race with friends got spinnaker sheets wrapped around the prop but managed to pick up a buoy in the entrance to Cowes. It was rough with fresh wind over a strong tide and he volunteered to go over the side with just his goggles on. It took about half an hour to clear it with his knife. Each time he came up for air he had bright blue hair from the anti-foul. The crew were lining the drinks up that night! In Australia whilst sailing together on a charter around the Whitsunday Islands, they narrowly escaped a cyclone. Thankfully recognising the signs and realising what was brewing, they contacted the charter base to request to bring the boat in 12 hours earlier than they had planned. Forty yachts (including a historic Romance, see picture) were wrecked that day, either sank on moorings or smashed against the rocks. Fortunately no-one was hurt despite some crew having to be air lifted out. On a less serious note, the laid back Aussie style caused some hilarity with Valentine Day headlines in the local paper entitled ‘Romance on the Rocks’. Rachel and Steve’s first channel crossing to Brittany in Stardust in 2004 was remembered fondly as a ‘great achievement and completed in good time’. A final ‘fond’ memory -

Exe News 95 49 Member Profile Steve & Rachel Hughes (continued) racing back home across the channel from France, they had retired and were motoring as the wind had dropped, and were asked to respond to a relayed emergency message. The engine of the distressed boat wouldn’t start and she was drifting near the shipping lane. Off they went motoring to the west, to the position they had been given and, after a couple of hours, found no-one was there. They had been given the wrong position. They found out later that shortly after the relay call had been sent, the skipper of the ‘stricken vessel’ had managed to get his engine going and was heading back to land faster than Stardust! By this time they were about 15 miles off their course, in a foul tide – it took them about 26 hours to get home! What are your plans for the future? Keep sailing and avoid drowning!

Sue Hamilton Photos: ‘Stardust’ from Explorer Water Taxis ‘Provident’ from Trinity Sailing Trust website ‘Romance’ from EMQ/RACQ Australia

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