8.30 am Sunday Juniors :
With a total turn around from the previous sunday where the winds blew 20 knots and we had to use Casey and Charlie as skippers taking everyone for a sail last sunday turned out perfect with good winds from the s/e at around 6 knots making it just perfect for this session . We had two sailors trying the Bic skiff for the first time in Cooper and Daniel so we had two very excited boys learning how to rig the boats which is just a bit more technical than a Tera and also a bit more slippery than them as well . We had our usual first timers as well and Abby took them under her wing and showed them how to steer the boat and soon had them out with the fleet they even avoided Timothy who was again sailing alone and as usual having some trouble with sailing straight lines but most people avoided him and he was improving as the session went on . Oh how did Daniel and Cooper go in Bic,s well as predicted there were a few capsizes as we warned them but from all accounts they really enjoyed their first go in a true race boat so well done boys !
10 .30 am Youth Training ;
The conditions had improved by the time everyone had their boats rigged and ready with Ross Abby and Taylah in lasers and Maddy and Jade in Bics and finally Kaia in the Taz where she was trying the gyb for the first time . The winds had come up a bit from the first class to around 10 knots S/E so we set a triangle course just south of the club . Abby Ross and Jade soon had the course in their head and at first so did the rest but the winds soon picked up and Taylah and Maddy started to find it hard going . Taylah came in and picked up Andrew to show her how to handle the stronger winds while Charlie and I looked after Maddy who eventually in a capsize lost her rudder which meant we had to tow her in to shore but at least we still had her ruuder in the safety boat Kaia gave it a good go but as the winds increased she struggled with the gyb and started practicing capsizes not on purpose of course and I have to say she is getting very good a jumping back in and giving it another go . Ross and Abby were scooting around but eventually tiredness had them capsizing and finally coming in while you guessed it Jade just sailed around the course and I could be wrong but I dont remember any capsizes ?
1.30 pm Open Racing
With the winds building from the S/E we set a course starting in the canal corner and a top mark the other side of the x special mark because Ben wanted an upwind and seeing we had the expert ( Greg ) on board we let him set the start line and informed everyone that all complaints on the day went to Greg ! It was actually a good fleet with 10 boats on the water although Adrian had to pull out with rig failure but the rest were soon lined up for the start which unfortunately Ben slightly got wrong and I had to call him back ( half a boat length over ) but to his credit he fought back and came home fifth . Peter Fell pulled clear early as his normal rivals were missing in Tom and Greg although he had to come from behind to do it with Matt out in front earlyand sailing well and Roger yes Roger who has been missing for a few months in third in the only 4.7 rig . Greg brought a neighbour along and he sailed unfortunately a club boat with no turbo but he also showed some forgotten skills just a pity the boat is old and tired but I think he will be back . To top off what was a great day on the water we think provisionally that Roger might have even one on handicap on his first sail back !
Upcoming ;
Try Sailing Day 13th December
Club Xmas Party 20th December
C U on the water
J Murphy