Newsletter
NEWSLETTER – October 2011
THE COMMODORE’S COLUMN
There are several events on the horizon for the club before the end of the season, but I'd like to concentrate on two of them in particular:
First, the Annual General Meeting. It's scheduled for 7:00 pm 24 November at the Flying Fortress in Bury St Edmunds (IP31 2QU for your SAT Navs) and is a good bash because we get to drink beer and talk about sailing. More importantly (OK, arguably more importantly) we get to consider and discuss our club, its needs and its future. I promise - we get the boring bits over really quickly and then get into open forum and we'd really value your presence and input.
On the subject of which, we are getting a bit short of committee members. Abby's travelling the world, Ed's moving to another county, Barry is retiring and we were one down in the first place. All of which means we need some new blood. Please don't just ignore the form that is winging its way to you. If you have a little bit of time available it could be well spent with the committee. It's not that hard and often a laugh.
Returning to Barry for a moment, he deserves an entire newsletter of thanks. He has served on the committee since soon after they stopped extracting sand. In addition he has done hours of mending and cleaning. Thank you, Barry, on behalf of everyone.
Second, the Working Party on 29 October. It's simple maths. We don't employ people. This keeps your membership fees down. Unfortunately, it means that there is no one around to be told to fix stuff when it needs fixing. So we all try and volunteer half a day or so to fix it. Guy has outlined the need in this issue.
Kathie does have holidays sometimes, so we were a little lost for our soup kitchen on 16 October. A big thank you is due to Chris Moore and his family, who stepped in, stirred, waited and washed up. The weather was more like a summer's day, but much soup was consumed and the participants were incredibly generous, raising a further £47.30 for Sail4Cancer.
Kieron Adams
NEWSLETTER – October 2011
THE EDITOR'S COLUMN
This Newsletter apologises for the lack of service over the past season. It is a result of family illness taking precedence. In fact, we seem to have been away so long that Andrew Griffiths has probably produced several children in the interim. However, we will try and recap on some past Club events and highlights in this issue, amongst which are your correspondent and his helms inability to complete a season without snapping an Enterprise centre board. We remain convinced that this is a remarkable, albeit highly unlikely, coincidence of serially defective marine ply. It cannot possibly be due to the stresses imposed on the boat as we close haul it following one of Kathie's cake and pudding events.
These events, by the way, are of such outstanding quality that she has raised about £120 for Sail4Cancer through them this year. You might like to keep this in mind in the context of the Laying Up Lunch, 20 November, when Kathie will once again be catering.
We touched on coincidences above. We must bid temporary farewell to yet another Treasurer this year. That's two in 12 months. We have already noted the fact that the earlier incumbent, Rob Matthews, resigned after years of sterling service in possession of a new car. His replacement, Abby Freeley has, in another remarkable and, frankly, highly unlikely, coincidence, stepped down in possession not only of a different car but off for a six month sabbatical with high hopes of travelling the world.
Debs (Steele) has stepped in as Treasurer for Abby whilst she is away. Will she be sailing off to Bermuda in some new boat that sleeps 32 after her shift? Are the Club's auditors reliable?
Another committee member, Neville Boneham informed us recently that he had spotted a dead pike upside down in the lake. Are you sure it was the fish that was upside down in the lake, Nev?
Oh, and what's going on with Daniel Moriarty? It seems only weeks ago that he was a beginner racer with a one minute start. Now, he starts with the rest of us and then we watch his sail disappearing off to victory. There should be rules about young, fit agile people in Lasers.
Alan Shaw
Paxton 24hr Report - A wanderer's perspective
Your correspondent experienced something of a revelation at the Paxton 24 hour race last July. Up until now, hurtling across the water in an explosion of speed and spray hanging out at full stretch was considered the only sailing worth doing. Conversely, light wind sailing in blazing sunshine was considered akin to, and as tempting as, climbing into one of those revolving lysteria cabinets of roasting chickens at Tesco's - only without the sensation of forward motion. The day loomed windless and hot. The only cloud present was the one of wrist-slitting despondency forming over your correspondent's head.
Everything changed when the race started. Not only were we, remarkably to my mind, moving, but moving with gratifying effect. Not only were we holding our own, but actually overtaking stuff. For the first half hour we were amazingly second on the water and becoming firmly imbued with a satisfying sense of competitive urgency.
The gradually dawning realisation that racing in these conditions could be enjoyable was complemented by the fascinating process of learning how to sail a Wanderer. This was necessary because (typical SESCA) we had pitched up with a class of boat that none of us had ever sailed before to any meaningful degree; a decision based largely on the fact that the Club had just secured two Wanderers and they were all shiny-bright and new and still smelled of fibreglass.
We kind of knew that lots of roll-tacking would be necessary, combined with tippy-toeing around the boat like a couple of ballerinas. What was fascinating was discovering the specific preferences of a Wanderer when it is required to move quickly in light winds - and then working out how to achieve them.
For example, it became apparent that Wanderers like an extremely pronounced heel to leeward. Andrew Griffiths and I, both reasonably comparably-sized blokes, could achieve this with a conventional deployment of personnel providing the crew pretended to be on a trapeze by hanging out the boat with one hand clasped around the shroud to stay onboard and his bum touching the lake. Ed Deacon and Helen Keefe, however, could not follow this approach, as it would take at least two Helens to make an Ed. He pragmatically resolved this by helming the entire shift from the wrong side.
Further, it would seem that Wanderers give of their best in light winds if they can stick their back ends far up into the air. So, helms move as far forward as possible and, in Ed's case, the crew finds a place to sit on the foredeck. Conventional deployment, however, quickly reveals the fact that cramming into the prow leaves the jib cleats too far away for the crew to reach. Luckily, as he only needs one arm to cling to the shroud, he has a spare one available to manage the jib by hand. All this, of course, is in between flinging yourself from one gunwale to the other to achieve the requisite 180 degree roll-tacks. And I thought sailing in a gale was hard work.
All of this hard-won knowledge and experience came together between midnight and three in the morning, when we climbed two places to fourth out of 12 boats - a position we defended to the end of the race.
A great time; a great weekend; and arguably the largest team on the water - comprising, at times, of Dan Moriarty, Andrew Griffiths, Neville Boneham, Richard Williams, Helen and Andrew Keefe, Fliss Elsom-Cooke, Ed Deacon, Alan Shaw, Mike and Shena Senior plus some others who came on the Saturday but I missed, I'm afraid.
Alan Shaw
NEWSLETTER – March 2010
THE COMMODORE’S COLUMN
Spring is here – it’s stopped snowing so it’s official. In spring various forms of wildlife appear from hibernation including the splendidly plumaged builder. We are expecting some of this species to arrive at Lackford.
Work will begin very soon on the enhancements to the changing rooms and toilets. We have already cleared the way for work to commence. There will inevitably be some upheaval such as possibly no access to our existing changing rooms for some time. We will endeavour to make alternative arrangements but ask for everyone's patience. It will all be worth it at the end.
Our builders aren't anti-social but it has been pointed out that if we all turn up individually at different times and ask how things are going progress may be slow. It would be far better to turn up on the Work Day (or any other day) and chat to one of the committee.
Even though building work is about to commence, there will be plenty to do at the Work Day on Saturday 20 th March, including trying to free up space for temporary changing rooms in the workshop.
The most important point about the building work is that is doesn't affect access to the water so its time to check all our boat bits and get out on the water as soon as possible – which is the 27 th and 28 th March.
And let’s offer a big thank you to the 17 SESCA members who offered to be the Boat Driver on WASH Saturdays. WASH will be sailing on the first Saturday of the month, they also hope to sail on the third Saturday and on Tuesday afternoons. If anyone is interested in volunteering to help as shore crew, sailing crew, sailing instructor (Saturdays and/or midweek) or midweek powerboat driver please take a look at www.onesuffolk.co.uk/HAVO - links and projects, www.ryasailabiltytv.com and contact Vicky vicky.forkes@hotmail.co.uk.
Kieron Adams
New works – the costs
May we take this opportunity to thank not only the donor organisations, but also our treasurer Rob Matthews, for the considerable time and effort that he has put in to making this all happen.
Building costs 46,000
Fees and deposits 3,000
Contingency 2,000
Total Costs 51,000
Havebury Community Fund 5,000
Entrust 12,500
Suffolk Foundation 3,000
St Edmundsbury BC 5,000
Activities unlimited 3,000
R Palmer donation 1,000
Total Income 29,500
Sesca contribution 20,000
Multicoloured Boat Swap Shop
On the day of the Spring Working Party (20 March) there will be an opportunity to swap or sell your unwanted bits of boat gear – the wetsuits the kids have grown out of; the main sheet that turned out to be bigger than the block; the halyard that doesn’t fit in the mast; (Just make sure your working party tools are safely out of the way). This will happen over the lunch time, i.e. roughly 12.30 onwards. Vendors - £2.00 donation to the Club funds plus something from whatever you make in profit if you are selling. Any leftover fittings etc that can be donated for use on the Club boats will also be welcomed. Abby Freeley
Training times:
We have two adult sail trainings planned for this summer on the weekends of June 5/6 th and July 17 th/18 th.
Two Cadet courses (ages 9 –16) will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays July 27/28 th and Aug 17/18 th.during the school summer holidays.
Please sign up on the forms in the Clubhouse
Racing fleet off to a flying start
Congratulations to those members of the racing fleet whose Christian names start with the letter ‘G’ for winning virtually everything last year. Other qualifications, apart from being called Gary or Gerald, are doubtless also helpful but it is an impressive record, as the full 2009 results sheets (attached) show.
There are no significant changes to general race procedures planned for 2010. The one minute starts for less experienced sailors will continue and personal handicaps will be worked out for the start of the season, based on the best attended races last year. I’ll try to publicise the results from these more regularly this year. Our overlap “zone” for racing marks will stay at 2 boat lengths. The award of average points for members engaged on club duties will be abandoned.
Race instructions will be amended to allow for racing to a specified time, e.g. by specifying a maximum number of laps and using the shortened course signal to signify the imminent end if the wind increases during the race.
The programme is much the same as last year but the informal pursuit race series will be extended to include races on Monday Bank Holidays. On Spring Bank Holiday Monday there will be a taster for the Paxton 24 hour race instead. This year is the 40 th race at Paxton so we hope to help them make it a special event with a good turnout. To take part you don’t have to spend the whole 24 hours there.
The Sea Cadets come off the water earlier now so Saturdays’ novice and youth racing has been brought forward so they will be able to participate.
Extra marks are planned so that the start line can suit the wind direction better without moving marks on the day or using the safety boats as marks. The outboard engines can be hazardous if the boat swings around.
Those of you at Lackford on Boxing Day will have seen and heard the automatic sequencing of the sound signals. That has been developed further with a system to record the finish times for handicap races, or at least the times the horn was sounded. It should be ready to demonstrate and give instruction at the Working Party. The unit now has wheels.
Mike Senior
Rescue Drivers – a winter’s tale
Laser sailing on any winters day often looks like a pretty cold and lonely business, but as Fliss discovered, it is particularly so when you fall in on Boxing Day. Even experienced sailors, capable of righting a boat in seconds and flinging themselves happily back in during the summer, can struggle when coping with the strength-sapping thermal shock of capsizing into a freezing lake.
Fortunately for Fliss, help was near to hand in the form of two knights in shining armour in an Enterprise. Obviously they were wearing metaphorical shining armour for the purposes of enhancing the storyline, as literally wearing shining armour when sailing can be a bit impractical. Carl and Alan generously surrendered their frankly less than glittering position in the race to gallop over (OK, some more poetic licence going on here) and scoop this particular damsel in distress from the very jaws of the freezing lake, and so everyone lived happily ever after.
We mention this in order to remind safety boat drivers doing late and early season shifts, when the water is very cold and winds are brisk, that capsizing in these conditions can be a real safety issue. Please have the engine running and ideally be out there when a race is on, especially if you have the boat with the picky starting habits, as too much delay can be distressing for the victim.
The one to watch
SESCA has bequeathed the world a cinematic record of the solo sailing experience, courtesy of our own all action hero Ted Deacon. If you go to the youtube website and enter ‘sesca’ into their search engine, you can while away a happy 10 minutes sailing a Laser around Lackford without having to get cold and wet.
Filmed in the cinema verite style, Ted made his documentary by nailing his video camera to a stick mounted on the stern of the boat and recording over two days pursuit racing in the summer.
This newsletter is pleased to observe that no amount of post-production tricksy editing has been able to disguise the fact that the Enterprise finishes the race in front (albeit behind Abby’s Laser, if memory serves us correctly). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfr3ygMMO5U
Canoes - Friendly Note
The two blue sit on canoes belong to Gary and Abby. We have, however, never managed to canoe and sail at the same time so we leave the canoes at the Club for others to enjoy. It seems to me they were used almost every weekend last season. That said, they do belong to us and we do expect them to be taken care of.
Please remember to lock the canoes back up to the rack and to tie them on as well because the lock will not stop them being blown off and damaged. Please also remember to put the paddles back in the Bosun’s cupboard.
Ed has also in past years left his double sit-on canoe for Club members to enjoy. However, last year someone enjoyed one of Ed’s paddles (a two-piece type) so much they took it off site to use elsewhere and have not returned it – which is a very polite, restrained way of saying someone stole a piece of equipment. This means, sadly, that Ed may remove his canoe from the Club’s use. That’s too bad, but I have to say that if we have the same sorts of problems with the blue canoes, we will remove them too.
Abby Freeley
HELP WANTED – Part 1 Along with the very lovely new changing rooms and disabled facilities we are re-vamping the Galley – just a little bit. In fact, just enough to fit in an electric cooker. Do you have, or do you know anyone who has, a free standing electric cooker in good condition (remember it is for ‘public’ use) that we could have either free or very very cheap? We can collect it.
Ring Abby – or any other committee member – or find us at the Working Party.
A Gipping Yarn By Abby Freeley
Nick, Tim, Ed, Mary, Gary and Abby made their second annual Christmas canoe trip a journey down the River Gipping from Bramford to the Orwell Bridge this year. In 2008 we waded and paddled down the River Lark from Cotton Lane to West Stow. This year, according to Ed’s GPS, we paddled 4.7 miles on one of the prettier days over the Christmas break. Although it was cold we could console ourselves with the sun – at least it wasn’t snowing, sleeting or raining.
Despite a couple of simple portages (after our ½ mile hike through West Stow woods last year, most portages are simple!) it was mostly an easy paddle down a pretty river to Ipswich, observed by a few bemused fisherfolk. Ed and Mary tried to ride one weir, but there wasn’t enough water. Just past Portman Road was the trickiest portage, because it involved crossing a very busy road. Method: two people to a canoe, look left, right and then run with the canoe parallel to the traffic. I kept looking over my shoulder for my Policeman-son who was on duty for the football that day.
The River lost much of its beauty through the centre of Ipswich but was interesting for the number of old wooden hulks lying in the sand/mud as reminders of Ipswich’s old port – and for the bikes. If you ever have a bike stolen in Ipswich, borrow a canoe and go down the River. Gary kept thinking he could salvage them all and a few of hulks as well.
Leaving the small river for the big one, we paddled down the Orwell, past the freighters and the modern Ipswich docks. By this time I had lost feeling in one of my hands – they kept going numb alternately, along with, curiously, my left heel – and I was wishing the cars were parked at Fox’s Marina and not the Bridge. The tide had turned so we actually had to paddle against it, making us a little warmer, but all told it was a great way to spend a winter’s day and burn off some of the Christmas excess.
CLUB BOAT CORNER
With Dick Williams
As the new season approaches, I’m pleased to take on the responsibility of looking after the club fleet. Last year, the Pacer was literally “put through her paces” by Jonathan and it was good to see this light and lively boat being sailed so well. The 420 is now ready for her first outing and I look forward to seeing some brave souls taking on the challenge of mastering this dinghy. Mind you, she does seem to weigh quite a bit when on dry land!
Would all users of club boats ensure that the dinghies are returned to their trolleys with the full compliment of dinghy bungs, battens and shackles. I know from personal experience how easy it is to lose a sail batten, particularly if the mainsail is allowed to “flog” when the boat is left tied up between outings. If anything is missing, please let me know and I’ll try to replace it as soon as possible. Guy and I usually carry spare shackles, rope etc in the back of our cars.
Dick’s Handy Hints Part 1 : Many of the minor repairs I worked on last year were the result of dinghies sitting on poorly padded trolleys. If a round bilge dinghy sits on a flat, unpadded support for any length of time, flat spots and cracks may appear. This is exacerbated if standing water (usually several gallons) accumulates on a poorly fitted cover. Reinforcing the trolley supports with pipe lagging bought from plumbing outlets can help. A 2.5 metre length of fairly thick foam lagging costs about £4.00 and should prevent damage or distortion to your hull.
I hope you all enjoy sailing the Club boats this season and if I’m not on the water (which is quite often these days) don’t be afraid to ask for advice regarding dinghy rigging/repairs. Two years training didn’t make me a ‘boatbuilder’, but I learnt a few tricks, especially: “If all else fails, bung some epoxy on it!”
HELP WANTED – Part 2 On Saturday and Sunday 24-25 April the British Moth Travellers Trophy (the Somerville) will make a welcome return. Last year the weed meant the meeting was cancelled – this year it may be snow that puts a damper on things – but it is our one Open Event and the Mothists really enjoy SESCA. We would, however, really appreciate some help. On both days I need a volunteer to arrive around 8.30 – 9.00 with cooked bacon for bacon butties and people to boil kettles and make tea/coffee, heat up soup, wash up etc. Home made cakes and biscuits will also be appreciated. Ed will be OOD/Race Officer but I am sure he would enjoy assistance. If you can help for any or all of the weekend please call Abby on 01284 830023 or 07803581950.
START OF THE SEASON NEWSLETTER March 2009
Commodore’s Column
The new season is nearly upon us. The snow has melted and I have two Larks in the back garden almost ready to take to the lake. As usual the season starts with a Working Party on Saturday 21 st March. See our new rear commodore’s appeal . We then start sailing on March 28/29 so a careful look at the 2009 programme will tell you what is going on. This has been produced by our new Race Officer and he has altered some events so read on carefully.
The powerboat level 2 course for experienced boat drivers on that first weekend is fully booked and if we can find the time we will run another one later. However our new Safety Officer will be running basic rescue boat courses for new members during the year.
The membership pack contains the names and contact details of all the new committee and will be available at the working party so turn up if you want to know what is going on and who to speak to. Guy Forkes
Working Party
With reference to “our new rear commodores appeal” the older rear commodore’s appeal for assistance last year was brief but eloquent and I shall keep to that format
Please bring wellies, a buoyancy aid and whatever tools you have that might be appropriate for the jobs listed. Come for whatever time you can spare.
Jobs to be done
- Repair and reposition picnic tables
- Launch both RIBs
- Re-position racing marks
- Check over Club Boats and varnish Enterprise under Gazebo
- Clear out workshop and identify excess equipment to be sold
- Dismantle Barry’s GP 14 – save all fittings. Need a man with a cordless screwdriver o.s.a.
- Strim the site , cut down brambles on the Island near jetty.
- Sort out Trailer Park
- Renovate Flag Pole
- Paint/stain main club house
You might also like to bring food and drink but homemade soup and rolls will be provided to keep you working. Kieron Adams
Programme Notes
There will be some changes to some of our racing activities this season. There is a summary of these and the racing programme on a second sheet of the programme (click the tab at the bottom).
To bring us in line with "standard" procedures at other clubs we will have a 5 minute signal as well as 4 and 1. We can still use the 10 minute warning, final decision on this with the OoD and competitors on the day. There will be a new sound system which should make life easier as it is foot operated, though it is a bit heavy.
To encourage inexperienced sailors to join in with the racing, there will be an option to start at the one minute signal and avoid the crowd crossing the line at the start. Hopefully they will also get some encouragement and instruction from the more experienced sailors. Initially this will be open to anyone who has not previously won a major series.
Many of our class days have not taken place in recent years because we don't have enough boats in those classes so these are being dropped. Some of the redundant cups will be awarded as a second cup for some series, on a personal handicap basis. The system is an RYA method using a "Performance Indicator" to adjust the class handicap. These are being calculated on the most popular races of last season. They should be worked out by the start of the season and displayed in the clubhouse. The proposal is to award an extra cup for the Spring and Winter series but it depends on numbers taking part. The usual cup will be based on class handicaps as now.
Finally, there will be a series of informal pursuit races on Thursday evenings. These will be run by the competitors using the buddy system with no scheduled OoD or safety boat driver. It is hoped that by then the new sound system will have an automatic feature to sound the class start times and the finish. Mike Senior
R.Y.A. Training
Dates for this year's events are advertised in the clubhouse, in the programme and on the website. However, to ensure fair allocation of places, will members please sign up on the forms in the clubhouse only.
The season starts with the First Aid training at the end of February and there are a few places available for another at the end of March. Please contact me direct if you are interested.
The Powerboat course at the end of April is fully subscribed and we have several names on a waiting list for another course.
Early application for events is recommended! Margaret Gardiner
Duties
The duties for March/April and May have now been posted on Dutyman. For new members doing OOD/Race Officer training I have temporarily disabled the swap option so that they are not sent swap e mails. However, if anyone is unable to attend on their allocated training duty please let me know and I will negotiate another date with you.
For those members who have requested Rescue Boat Driver training – see Ted’s article later for the new system.
Please remember that if you swap a duty during the season, this must be changed on the Duty Roster in the Club House. Kathie Butcher
Bosun’s Blog
Once again please may I ask you to mark your road trailers.
At the working party I will be splitting the trailers in to those that
1. Are named and look road worthy.
Thank you for your co-operation.
2. Those that are unnamed and look roadworthy.
These will have a period of grace. If at the end of the Summer they are still unclaimed then a Final Notice will go out in the Autumn/Winter newsletter. If in the Spring of 2010 they are still unclaimed then they will be sold without further notice through Vicky’s Brokerage with proceeds to the Club funds. Alternatively, if you would like your road trailer sold and the proceeds to be donated to the Club before 2010, do please let us know.
3. Those that are unnamed and look unroadworthy,
Those that are not named and look unsafe will be moved to the ‘DEAD’ pile. If they remain there and unclaimed over the Summer, then at the autumn work party they will be disposed of.
DINGHY PARK
Please check the dinghy park plan on the notice board because a few of the boats have moved – we like to keep you on your toes! – or should that be ‘tow’?
See you at the Working Party. Abby Freeley
Safety Officers bit
If you require SESCA rescue boat training please book this on the (new) forum under training.I plan to do this training after the last race on Sunday before the boat is put away, or by special arrangement, on one or two Saturdays.
Those thinking of doing the RYA level 2 power boat course and do not have much experience with our rescue boat should contact me for a refresher firstPut your name down if you would like:- an introduction to the club rescue boat ( for those that have never used it before ); or a refresher on the rescue boat ( for members who are rusty and would like to go through it again and/or would like to practice some part of using the boat ).
So from the first weekend in April please book a session. No more than 2 people per session on a first come basis, so book up early. Ed Deacon
Boats for Sale
Lark 1558 – Double Entendre – as seen on the front page of the web site £475.00
Contact Guy or Vicky 01440 704976
GP14 Boat Cover, it is just under 2 years old £25. Contact Barry 01359 230763
Moth 533 £200 ono Contact Abby 01284 769026
Website bit
We have a new website for 2009 so have a look at it and see what’s new. If you can think of any pages that would improve the site feel free to suggest them
Feel free to register an account on the club forum. This has been set up so that members can keep in contact with other members.
http://www.westsuffolksailing.org.uk/forum
This can be used for arranging buddy sailing; to find a spare boat space in the dinghy park; boats and equipment that you would like to sell.
Please suggest other areas that you feel may help and I will add a category.
Registering is easy just click on the register
icon and then go through the process and you will be able to leave posts on the forum. Please drop me an email as well as we keep getting spammed on the forum and I have to activate your account so an email to jog my memory will speed things up Vago164@googlemail.com Thank you Ed Deacon
End
Commodore’s Report 2008
The year started with snow and no racing but ended with snow and 13 boats racing – is this progress or the first signs of insanity? We made it to exactly 100 members this year with 29 new members. A lot of new members are joining the club for the facilities it offers. (Friendly members, Safe local water, Club Boats and Training) Thanks to Margaret Gardiner and her team for the increased levels of training we now offer. (49 RYA Certificates awarded this year). A particular thank you to all the assistant instructors who have helped enormously throughout the year.
We hosted two Open Meetings this year, thanks to Abby and Ted, for the British Moths: and a lot of racing, beginners racing and regattas. Carl Day Chief Race Officer is resigning this year after several years of doing an excellent job. The prizegiving follows this and you will see Carl at his best – thanks for all your efforts Carl and I presume you will now have more time for your band and it’s required amount of drinking.
Barry service is also resigning as a Flag Officer after many years ( just how many only Janette knows) however he is staying on the committee so we can benefit from his knowledge and experience a little longer. Thank you Barry for everything you have done for the Club.
Another of the ‘Thurston Mafia’ is also resigning - David Gardiner is resigning as Safety Officer, which is his latest post although he too has served the Club in various guises for many years. Thank you David.
One of David’s last jobs was the acquisition of a second rescue/training Rib which he has now achieved and it will be with us for next season. The Club needs this second rib to expand the training and also to aid the disabled sailing group – WASH Sailability. Wash are now up and running and aim to start sailing next year, they already have two Access dinghies on order and have raised money for various other facilities. The Club itself is now proceeding with a scheme to install a disabled w.c. and shower and extend both changing rooms to accommodate more people of all abilities.
In addition to the resigning members of the committee I must also say thank you to all the other members of the committee who are staying on (subject to your votes) for their enthusiasm and support.
The next event for the Club is the Frostbite Trophy (did last Sunday qualify?) on Boxing Day. Sailors, spectators and visitors welcome. 12 noon start for a 60 minute pursuit race.
Margaret is organising a First Aid Course in the New Year – please see her to register your interest.
Guy
Paxton 24 hour race 2008
In winds as exciting as they were last year, only this time without the swamp-like ground conditions, SESCA battled its way to within a hairsbreadth of taking second place in the annual Paxton 24 hour race during the last weekend in June. Paxton’s Solo team was, as is traditional, light years ahead in first place and we had pulled comfortably away from the Lark and Comet teams in fourth and fifth.
The real battle was between our Enterprise and Welling’s Supernova. With two hours of sailing left we had snatched a lead of 0.1 of a lap, so tension in both camps was high as we watched the final stages and tried to do the mental arithmetic involved in a) remembering which boat had last lapped the other and when and b) what the corrected time influence might be given their current positions on the water.
Under the combined influence of exhaustion, lack of sleep and last nights beer, most of SESCA found this kind of mental acrobatics hopelessly beyond reach and just settled down to enjoy Ted and Will sailing Carl’s Enterprise to its absolute limits. All was looking pretty promising until Welling unleashed their secret weapon in the last hour, fielding one of those annoyingly superfit 20-something athletes capable of flinging himself from one side of the boat to the other in a nano-second and simultaneously helming like a ballistic missile.
There should be an extra handicap applied to skilled young fit people with inexhaustible stamina.
They finally beat us into third place by 0.6 of a lap on corrected time – which is pretty close given that we had raced over 100 laps throughout the 24 hours.
But what a top weekend it was – warm, sunny, windy and in the company of some great people. And we all learned a lot:
Neville learned that it is possible to enjoy sailing an Enterprise without finding it necessary to spend half the time standing on the centre board in the middle of the lake. Actually, we were all very good at that. With the lake littered at times with capsized Comets, Larks and Supernovas, our boat was the only one in the race that stayed upright throughout (albeit only after a lot of vigorous baling following a spectacularly ambitious jibe by Andrew and me in the opening lap).
I learned that putting on a dank, cold, fermenting wetsuit at 5:00 a.m. is a singularly unpleasant experience. But we also learned from one of the other competitors that running the hot tap into similarly vile wetsuit boots before you put them on renders the experience almost enjoyable.
Given the number of hairy jibes on the course, those crews unfamiliar with the boat learned about the medical condition known as Enterprise Scalp. Close analysis of the DNA on the kicking strap will reveal their identities.
And we all finally learned Carl’s plan with the annual Paxton races, which is to gradually renew the fittings on his boat at the expense of everyone else’s spares box. Last year it was the toe straps, this year it was the rudder lifting mechanism. Next year he’ll be angling for a new mast.
So, another year, another great weekend and another healthy bundle of cash for the RNLI – we raised over £450 helping bring the total generated by the event to over £3,000. Thanks Abby, Andrew, Carl, Caroline, Gary, Neville, Richard K, Richard W, Rowena, Ted and Will for the experience, and doubtless I’ll see you all again next year when we will finally beat the Supernova.
by Alan Shaw
ends
NEWSLETTER May 2008
Commodore’s Column
The gate lock saga continues – the secure 5 number ‘unbreakable’ lock has been broken twice now hence the cheaper 4 number version. The number is _____________ or has been sent to you by e mail. This new padlock does not need to go through just one link , it will go through everything. Is this ‘idiot proof’ enough?
The goose fencing seems to be working (electrified or not) although the goose numbers are down this year according to Suffolk Wildlife. Please remember to put it back up at the end of sailing. We now have another roll to continue down to the Youth end of the foreshore so we will see how this performs. Guy
Programme Notes
There has been a small change to the 2008 Programme and the revised programme is available on the website www.westsuffolksailing.org.uk
The Paxton lakes 24 hour race is now 28 th/29 th June. - Please contact Carl Day if you want to be in the SESCA Team.
This means that the RYA Level 1 & 2 Course has moved to 5 th/6 th July.
Please make a note in your diary and turn up to the following ‘FUN EVENTS’
- Sun 25 th May Ladies Day (Races at 11am – 3.30pm) with DIY BBQ at lunchtime. All men may become honorary ladies if suitably dressed!
- Sun 8 th June Paddle Power Day when all vessels (sailing dinghies, canoes and windsurf boards) are to be propelled by paddles is a series of fun races.
- Sat/Sun 21 st/22 nd June Midsummer Madness. Come and camp for the night before racing which starts at 7am before breakfast at 8am.
- Sun 20 th July Commodore’s Day – when we play sailing games with rubber ducks and wet sponges.
Finally we are going to get away from it all and go to Rutland Water for the weekend.26 th/27 th July.
Watch out for posters and e mails.
Training
A separate page is enclosed/attached with all the training dates. There are sheets up on the Club Notice Board please sign up if you want to attend and PLEASE PLEASE sign up if you can help.
Guy and Margaret plan to run Youth and Adult Novice Racing afternoons from 20 th July but before then Gerald has offered to run Racing Master classes and / or Start Racing sessions for the existing racing fleet and all those interested in racing. This should be suitable for all levels of ability and all ages from 12 upwards on Saturdays 17 th May; 24 th May; 7 th June; 10am – 4pm so there are yet more sheets to sign. This time they are blue.
Duties
Spring is here!! The duty times are 10.00 – 14.00 and 14.00 – 18.00 from 1 st May. New for this season we have High Visibility jackets for the members on duty to wear over their own buoyancy aids or a club one but the specific Boat Driver buoyancy aid failed its test and will not be replaced.
The duty rotas up to and including July have been published and sent to you by e mail or by post. If you have not received them please let Kathie or Vicky know. Please note that Ed Deacon will be Officer of the Day/ Race Officer throughout the British Moth Open Meeting weekend (June 14 th/15 th) and therefore the rota will be amended and those involved will be sent an updated copy.
We have been waiting for the first person to swap a duty on line with Dutyman confident that it would be easy. Well surprise surprise it wasn’t. Some box somewhere had not been ticked but it has now and it works so go for it. Kathie
"Bosun's Blog"
The 2008 season dinghy park layout is up in the Club. Most people's boats have remained where they were, although a couple of people may have a little surprise, so if your boat isn't where you left it, don't panic right away. Row A down by the water can get a bit boggy and Row D up by the sheds only had a couple of boats so a few of these moved.
At the Spring Working Party Tony Emmerson did a fantastic job mowing the dinghy park - thank you Tony. The mowing highlighted the problem of invisible stakes in the grass, some of which have now been painted red. During the work party tyres were also dug in and/or stakes located in the ground so most boats can now be tied down securely. There is a stock of tyres between the sheds, please feel free to dig a couple in if necessary. Making sure your boat is secure is your responsibility- more importantly help to frustrate the vandals by making it difficult to throw boats in the water. Maybe they will get bored with us and find something more positive to do. Please also make sure your 2008 sticker is displayed.
Over the last couple of years Alan, Richard and Vicky have done a great job of identifying all the boats that have been left forlornly on the bank and most have now been rescued, sold on or removed. Now it is time to tackle the trailers. If you have a road trailer or old trolley stored in the trailer park this notice is for you! Please ensure that your trailer is clearly identified with your name, class and boat number by Midsummer Madness, i.e. "Forkes, Lark 1558". The trailers will then be separated into "Claimed" and "Unclaimed". Any Unclaimed Trailers that are left until the Spring 2009 Working Party will be considered "Dead" and either sold for club funds, or disposed of. Abby
BOATS FOR SALE
British Moth 533 - "Whippet". £250.00 ono.
07803 581 950 for further information
VICTORIA ’S BOAT SALES – contact Vicky in Lark 1558 on a Sunday or sesca.admin@googlemail.com
a) GP14 (needs new foredeck ) Sound wooden hull, sails and trolley £150
b) 4 Kayaks @ £50 each with paddle
c) OK Sailing Dinghy Nearly new cover to protect wooden deck and hull in need of TLC £100
d) Skipper 12 offers
START OF THE SEASON NEWSLETTER March 2008
Commodore’s Column
A new year, a new start and several changes to bring to your attention. We start as usual with the Working Party. If more people turn up that means less work for all so please try. The Programme has several new features so read on carefully. Training has already started and there are some new items – again read on. The Duties System is also changing so read Kathie’s item too.
Having delegated all that I can go sailing after the working party so see you on the water at Easter. Guy Forkes – Commodore
Working Party - Saturday 15 th March 10 am start
Please bring wellies, a buoyancy aid and whatever tools you have that might be appropriate for the jobs listed below. Come for whatever time you can spare.
Homemade soup and rolls will be available to keep you going. Barry Service – Vice Commodore
Programme Notes
Nothing on the programme is exclusive so do come along and join in.
Individual informal sailing training will be available during the new Youth and Adult Novice Racing sessions on Saturday afternoons in July and August. Before that the 2.15pm race every Sunday will be an informal race training session. Members are encouraged to come and crew in a race. The racing fleet promise not to shout! However come and learn where and what to shout at the social evening / race clinic planned for 26 th April. More details will be available on a poster in the Club House and by e mail nearer the time.
Training
We started off this year with training in First Aid. The day course for renewal of qualifications was quickly filled. The evening course will run on 19 th & 26 th February and 4 th March in the Clubhouse at Lackford from 7.00-9.30pm. The cost is £12.50 plus £10 for a book, if you contact Margaret right now you might be able to take part.
You will see from the programme that we are running two weekend courses to enable adults to gain their RYA Level 1 or 2 qualification this year; June 28th/29th and October 4th/5th.
Following the success of the Cadet days last summer(?) we are running two mid week 2-day cadet courses this year. Attendance at one of these should result in the participants gaining an RYA qualification (weather permitting!) although the accent will be on fun.
- 2 -
The RYA Stage 2 Powerboat course is already fully subscribed. It is hoped to be able to offer some extra safety training to those members who are SESCA trained on our safety boat.
If you are an experienced sailor and would like to become an Assistant Instructor able to help with courses at the Club, there are still spaces on the course to be held on 26 th/27 th April.
There will be notices in the Clubhouse for you to sign up for all events and I look forward to seeing you there but if you have any questions speak to Margaret or Guy re: dates, times & costs.
Margaret Gardiner - Training
Duties
In order to provide a friendly face and safety boat cover at weekends and on Tuesday evenings, a condition of adult sailing membership is to undertake 4/5 Duty Officer/Rescue Boat Driver sessions each season. A rota for this is arranged and either e mailed or posted out to the membership .
As a new experiment, the rotas for the Duty Officer, Race Officer and fast safety boat officer, together with the club racing and social programme, will be published on the club website using a link to a website called Dutyman. (Renewal and new membership forms show that the vast majority of members have an e mail address and are happy to have their address put onto the Dutyman system)
The Dutyman website provides the club and its members the facility for easy management of the duties with club specific pages and personalised access for members. Dutyman is a secure site that holds the Calendar and duty rotas and members e-mail addresses, as inputted by Kathie Butcher, your club Dutyman Administrator. These e-mail addresses are not accessible to anyone other than the Dutyman Administrator and the individual member.
If you elect to carry out a swap using Dutyman the request to swap is transferred from you to the Dutyman website. E-mails are issued from the Dutyman website to the people you have asked to swap with and their replies return to you via the Dutyman website. The club duty rota co-ordinator will also be informed. Neither of you have the opportunity to find the e-mail address of the other people. If you are not on e-mail you can still swap duties by telephone as before. All members need to remember that if they swap a duty they must update the rota in the Clubhouse before the duty occurs.
Although there is a facility for individual members to put other contact details on the
Dutyman site such as telephone numbers, the SESCA Committee have made a decision not to do this. However, members will continue to receive an electronic/hard copy of the rota with telephone numbers, as in previous years.
It is the club's intention to lessen the effort in managing the duty rotas whilst improving the facilities and information for members.
Members included on Dutyman will receive a reminder of their rostered duties 14 days prior to the duty date. Dutyman only sends out passwords to people who have a duty assigned to them and have an e-mail address. So if you have not received an e-mail with a password don’t worry. If you are not using e-mail and internet, don’t panic, Royal Mail is still available to deliver the rotas.
Kathie Butcher – Duties
Newsletter / Website
If you have any items for the next newsletter or for the website email Ed Deacon