Sailing Club News – Wednesday 22-Sep-21
I hope that none of you are falling into the trap of thinking that the notice of our forthcoming AGM means it’s laying up time! The sun is still shining, there is the occasional puff of wind and, although the water level is falling, the lake is still warm! There is still lots of sailing to do….
Please remember that this afternoon/evening is the second of Antonia and Ben’s Pizza evenings at the Club. Last week was a beautiful evening as several of us enjoyed a delicious pizza and beer on the balcony. Come along and support this initiative if you can – start time 4pm.
Sorry to start with a ‘Rules’ bit but there have been several members or guests on the Club site with dogs in recent weeks.
Our Club Rules, Schedule 3 (Bristol Water Regulations) state –
“No animals shall be brought into the premises whether in cars or not”
I am afraid this means no dogs are permitted within the Club grounds – please do not cause us the embarrassment of having to ask people to leave.
I also have a request from Clifton College, one of our school group members. On Saturday 04-Sep-21 someone removed a spinnaker in a sail bag, and a black mainsail bag marked ‘Clifton College’ from the winch area of the car park. I am sure this was done in error, but please, if you were at the Club that day, could you check that these were not accidentally picked up. Thank you.
Duty Reminder
A reminder to everyone rostered to fulfil a duty that you should come ready to be at the lake for the full period of your rostered time. These are:
Wednesday: 10 – 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 – 0.5hrs before sunset (1 hour before March – September)*
*The duty team may close the lake at 18:00 during the summer.
While it is acceptable to close the lake at 6pm on weekends, please do not try to ‘encourage’ members that are enjoying a late afternoon sail off the water before then and come prepared to cover your duty in full to the end of the allotted time.
Travel Update!
No, this is not news of delays on the A38 but news of those competing at open meetings and Nationals elsewhere! I am sure that there are many more successes that I have not yet caught up with, please do let me know if you have been away and how you’ve done. Here’s a few I know of:
Rob Higgins came a magnificent second at the RS700 nationals held at Castle Cove – well done Rob
The RS100 squad all featured at the front of their Nationals at Brixham with me coming in 3rd, Dave Smart 8th, Steve Jones 13th and Jon Elmes 21st
On the Home Front!
The recent trophy age races were unfortunately blighted by lack of wind, but Race Officer Nick Martindale still managed to somehow encourage a small but select group around the course. Well done to Ruth Kenyon, Chris Meredith, John Smalley and Peter Smalley for coming out on top of their respective divisions
This weekend sees us host the Bristol Alumni team racing on Saturday, while on Sunday it’s a return to our normal summer format of the morning Admirals chase followed by two afternoon races. I asked in a previous news for feedback on the Admirals chase and to date it would seem that the format is felt to be somewhat tired and that most people would prefer ‘class’ racing. If you think otherwise please let me or your fleet captain know your thoughts as this will be on the agenda for change when we draw up next years calendar.
Thinking forward into October, when we will be hosting the Flying Fifteens for their rescheduled Inland Championship ( covid restrictions put an end to the planned May event), the RS100 Inlands/RS200 Open, and on 17th October our Visitors Day when other club sailors can come and compete for free – please do spread the word about this event through your networks. So a busy month coming up and lots to look forward to.
Lake and cake (6) – Saturday 25-Sep-21
This is the last lake & cake of the year. It looks like we will have a warm day with a gentle breeze – fabulous! Followed by our usual (& plentiful) tea & cakes, and get-together. Let’s get baking
Meet by the race hut at 1:45pm rigged and ready to sail.
Lake & cake will be back next spring with a new lady (or ladies) at the helm – more information to follow. In the meantime, we’ll organise some walks (between October -March) and an impromptu L&C if needed!
Lunch on the Lake #2 – Simon Conway
Following the successful inaugural attempt at this, and many requests to hold it again, I have pencilled in both 2nd and 16th October. Hopefully you can make one of those dates. This time we will not raft up but instead will anchor in very close proximity. Fenders will still be required and I have 6 extra ones now (thanks to a very generous donation from Nigel Carson ) for anyone to use on the day. There is also one spare plough anchor if anyone wants to use that. (email me s1m0njc@icloud.com)
Thank you for your support.
Once again, many thanks to Jo Cudmore for a great collection of pictures.
John Smalley – commodore@chewvalleysailing.org.uk
