Bart’s Bash – Sunday 16-Sep-18

Chew has a fine history of having one of the worldwide largest turnouts in the Barts Bash event. Race Officer, Rob Mitchell, makes this race so very user-friendly. There will be a simple briefing, a straightforward course and a tolerant attitude from everyone competing. If you are not a regular racer, make this the one event you do and be a part of something BIG worldwide.

Rob Mitchell has written:-

Barts Bash at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club and 620 other venues worldwide. We have a grand total of 4 boats signed up to date and so need about a further 100 to come close to beating records and so follow the link below and put your name on the list for the world’s largest sailing event. We will take voluntary donations on the day of £5 (or more) in raising money this year for All Aboard, the Bristol sailing charity that provides opportunities for people with physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities. A moderate southwesterly and sun has been requested for Sunday 16 September as is usually delivered and so make it a date and sign up now.
https://www.bartsbash.com/participant-sign-up

Sailing Report – John Smalley, Vice-Commodore

As I write this, I have just returned from a walk around Cheddar Reservoir, home of Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club – their water level is so very low. We have to count ourselves fortunate to have kept so much water in Chew during the long, hot summer.

Mercury Macklin and Master Age related Trophies, and Anniversary Trophy
There was a gentle breeze for the racing and Race Officer, Ken Comrie, ran a tight ship with a cool head.
The morning handicap race tended to favour the single handers with Dave Smart winning in his RS100 followed closely by that wily campaigner, Dave Oakey in his Solo. Phil Patullo was the leading Laser in 4th place, Paul Nichols and son Gabs were 7th in a Mirror, and juniors Quinn and Fin were 16th in their Feva. An amazing 38 boats entered and there wasn’t a single Flying Fifteen in the top 20!! The Watts Junior double hander trophy went to Fin and Quinn.
The climax of the Anniversary pursuit was tense. Jake Farren-Price took the lead in his Laser from the Solos. This should have been game over, but going the wrong way up the beat allowed Richard Harding and Craig Harris back past to finish in that order.

Lake & Cake 5 – Saturday 01-Sep-18
The ladies met on another gorgeous Saturday afternoon, with a consistent southerly breeze. They set off in a close group and zig-zagged their way up & down the lake, doing tight circles round the marks for good measure. They were joined for tea & cakes afterwards by the sailors from the RYA level 1 & 2 beginners course. Considering the huge amount of cakes brought (including a freshly baked banana cake straight out of the Galley, courtesy of Rob) there was not a crumb left!
The next (and last) 2018 ‘lake & cake’ will be on Saturday 6th October, and plans are in place for some ‘more competitive’ sailing to end the season.
If you would like to receive the Lake & Cake email updates and/or join the WhatsApp group (or be removed) please contact Rosie on rosie.bowers@btinternet.com.

August Antics
Another very successful August Antics was held over the August Bank Holiday weekend. New for this year was an ADI (Assistant Dinghy Instructor) course, running alongside a race group and Intermediate group. Almost 30 junior sailors took part across the three groups. With a perfect wind and a full day of sunshine the Saturday was a perfect start. The Intermediates spent a day in single handers, the race group took to the Fevas, and the ADIs spent the day learning how to instruct. Sunday was an altogether different day with wind, rain and lack of warmth. The ADI team took the Intermediates out in double handers, and the race group set sail in single handers with multiple reefs. As the wind increased the decision was made to run a race regatta in the afternoon for the ADI and race groups. With gusts to 25-30 knots the sailors had a great time battling the elements over the 3 races. The overall regatta winner was Quinn Edmonds sailing a Tera Sport. A huge thanks to Lawrie and Mary Tilling, Michael Dennis, Alice Edmonds and Finn Wisloff for instructing and helping out across the 3 groups; and to Mike Kew and Nick Edmonds, this year’s August Antics

CLADS Year To Date

As I write, we have registered – Sailors: 15, Helpers 14, Average weekly 10 sailors, 6 helpers.
This year has been great for basking in the sunshine, socialising, improving sailing in light winds and paddling skills!
The new access dinghy has been launched and used on a number of occasions this year.
The summer barbeque was a great success with approx. 50 attending, many thanks to Rob and all who contributed the deserts.
We are planning holding a skittles evening later in the year.
James Boston – CLADS rep. on the Sailing Committee

Club Boats

The good news here is that we have replaced our written off Vision dinghy with RS’s new, all singing and dancing Quest. The boat is an ex-demonstrator from RS set up for both conventional and asymmetric spinnaker teaching. It will be available for hire in due course and, I hope, be a most valuable asset to both our RYA teaching and Pay and Play programmes.

Looking Forward

CANCELLED – 13-Sep-2018. FUN THURSDAY
Please note that this day has been, regrettably, cancelled.

Autumn Points am and pm
This series starts on 09-Sep-18 and is the last of the year’s series to split qualifying between the morning and afternoon.

Windsurfing – season starts Saturday 15-Sep-18
Remember you need to have a sticker for your windsurfer – the Bristol Water wardens are particularly observant when they spot a windsurfer. If you have a boat registered at the Club you can apply for a windsurfer sticker costing £45 (50% of the year round boat fee). Contact our new membership secretary, Rosie Bowers:-
membership@chewvalleysailing.org.uk

Training

Topper Training and Open Meeting – Sat.23-Sep-18/Sun. 24-Sep-18
We are hoping for a good turnout of Toppers, both for the training on Saturday, and then for the Open Meeting on Sunday. Claire Jefferis is in charge of the racing; there should be no problem for those simply wanting to sail on either day, but no Club racing is planned for Sunday.

First Aid Courses – Sat. 20-Oct-18, Saturday 01-Dec-18
Jeff Stratford has organised these two courses costing only £25, which include a manual and 3 year certificate. A current First Aid certificate is a mandatory requirement for all RYA instructors, and recommended for all rescue helms and is generally good for everyone. You can book your place using your Webcollect account – any problems, contact Jeff at jeffstratford@btinternet.com