Mirrors at Chew late ’70s
Sailing Club News 09-May-19
There has been much evidence of boat and even cover washing going on over the last couple of weeks as more of you are ending your winter hibernation.
Once again there were 60 boats racing last Wednesday evening!
The Training and Class Race Day last Sunday was encouragingly busy (despite the wind being decidedly chilly!) Over 40 boats contested the prizes –
The Solo fleet listened to the wisdom of Chris Goldhawk in the morning, though he was unkindly repaid in the afternoon by being beaten by Rob Mitchell.
Ian Cadwallader scored three wins in the Flying Fifteen fleet, and Pete Sherwin did the same to the 15 strong Laser sailors.
The hoped for Mirror visitors did not materialise, but three home boats joined in with the Handicap start; Paul and Peter Smalley shared the honours with Tim Johnson in his D1. Particularly pleasing was seeing the enthusiasm of the three young Mirror crews, Peter, Harry and Gabs Nicholls.
Mike Kew was martialling his Chew Crew troops as they started their sailing season.
Membership Renewals
2018/19 memberships have now expired.
We still have a few members yet to renew their membership. If it’s you…. and you want to sail in the best sailing club in the South West this year, please complete your re-application now. If you have decided not to renew, can’t find your Membership Renewal Email or just want guidance please can you let the Membership Secretary know – Rosie can be contacted on membership@chewvalleysailing.org.uk
Boat Stickers
Allen Marsh, Brian Brooks and the dinghy park team are under pressure to find boat parking spaces for our current crop of new members. This means a purge of boats not displaying the current 2019/20 sticker – if yours is one of these expect to find it moved.
Powerboat Training
Jeff Stratford tells me he has a few places on each of the next four PB2 courses.
The Advanced Rescue Helm courses continue to be very popular and over-subscribed – there has been one so far this year, Courses 2 and 3 are full with wait lists; Course 4 has 3 spaces and course 5 is full. The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive and they confirm it is invaluable as they carry out their RBH Club duties.
First Aid Course – 15-Jun-19 – there are 4 vacant places on this – cost £25.
Book these courses via Webcollect.
Youth and Junior news from Nick Edmonds
The club’s summer junior & youth program has started with many of the sessions already, or close to being fully booked. There is just one place remaining on the Chew Crew Intermediate program (the Sunday morning drop in program for those that have already learnt to sail) – so don’t delay.
New for this summer are Junior Race Days, held on 5 days over the summer, and a few places are still available. It’s aimed at those in the Chew Crew Intermediate group and above, or with equivalent experience, who want to improve their sailing and to try out some racing. The goal is to improve sailing skills, while having fun. With multiple coaches, and multiple classes it promises to be an exciting addition to the sailing program. More information and sign up for all the junior programs is via webcollect.
The summer youth race training has kicked off with monthly sessions; next up are 29ers at the end of May, and Lasers on Sunday 12-May-19. Please sign up as soon as you’re able so that we can confirm coach numbers.
Over the last few months many of the junior and youth sailors have been practicing team racing. Initially this was in the club Fevas, and then over the Easter holidays, in Clifton College’s Fireflys. It was great to witness 12 of them having so much fun trying to slow each other down while furiously calculating the winning combinations. I would like to give a huge thank you to Jim Rosser for letting us use the college boats over the holidays. [I would like to echo this on behalf of the Club’s Committees – JS] Next up is the Western Schools team racing competition on Saturday 11th May which Jim is organising. Come along and support, not just the 2 club teams, but also the Clifton College and other school teams based at Chew.
The Winter Youth Series has wrapped up with a very close finish and the result in doubt to the very last race. Ted Lane and Rupert Clapham claimed victory in their 29er by one point over Rosie and Susie Sheahan in their Feva. 10 races were held over the winter in a mix of conditions. The Youth Race Series takes a break over the summer, and in its place is the Junior Summer Race Series held as part of the Junior Race Days. Hopefully we get to see many young racers giving it a go over the summer, and staying on through the winter to give Ted & Rupert a run for their money.
Finally, hot off the press, massive congratulations to Ollie Wilcox who became the Topper Inland National Champion against a fleet of 178 (!) keen young sailors. He is also the holder of our RNLI ‘B’ Handicap shield which he won at last year’s Visitors Day – that was obviously a portent of greater things to come!
The 33rd Eric Twiname Junior Championships were held over the Bank Holiday weekend at Rutland Water SC. The Championships are the culmination of a winter of regional based training and are the ‘battle of the zones’. CVLSC had 4 sailors representing the South-West in the RS Feva Class. Over a varied 3 days of weather Alfie Sheahan sailing with crew Tara Scully were 15th, sisters Rosie & Susie Sheahan finished 5th and 2nd girls, and William de Jaeger crewing with his helm Sam Cox from Restronguet SC, finished in first place overall and were crowned Eric Twiname Feva Class Junior Champions for 2019.
Looking Ahead
Lake & Cake 2– Sat 11-May-19
The next lake & cake is this Saturday afternoon (11th May) – meet in the bar at 1:45 rigged & ready if possible. The weather forecast is looking good.
If you would like to be added to the email distribution list please contact Rosie on rosie.bowers@btinternet.com
Western Schools Team Racing Championships – Saturday 11-May-19
Hosting this annual event is a first for us at Chew. As you will have read, our own Juniors have been practicing with the Clifton College school and will hopefully enter two teams. With Clifton College themselves and Millfield, there are plenty of ‘home’ teams to support – come along for the spectacle.
New Members Day – Saturday 11t-May-19
We are looking forward to welcoming new members this Saturday with a day of fun activities and an overview of the various things that go on at the club. If you’ve joined within the last year and haven’t received an invitation, please get in touch with Anna Mason at the address below for more information, or just turn up from 11am and join in. If you’re a longer standing club member, then you are one of the reasons CVLSC is such an amazing and friendly place – do say hi to new faces around the club and make people feel at home. If you have any unwanted sailing kit cluttering up your garage, bring it along for our second hand sailing kit ‘sale’. We may run a short, fun race in the afternoon which will be open to everyone – come to bar at 2pm if you’d like to join in.
new-memb@chewvalleysailing.org.uk
Thursday Improvers 1 – Thursday 16-May-19
Thursday evenings in these warmer months allow you to enjoy a sail without the hustle and bustle of Wednesday evenings. They run for 8 weeks from the 16th. You get to see Chew Valley as the sun goes down! All 8 weeks are for general sailing plus, from week 4 onwards (6th June), we have the Start Racing evenings – 5 sessions. These were great fun last year, learning all the basics of racing and how to improve your sailing skills even if you are not planning to race in future. I know various sailors from last year are intending to take part again this year having enjoyed it so much last time.
Each week I will be there early to get the rescue ribs out and ready so that everybody can get onto the water as near to 6pm as possible to maximise the time on the water.
Please get in contact – cruising@chewvalleysailing.org.uk or chris.platts12@gmail.com
Two Rescue helms are rostered on duty each week and there will usually be an experienced member on hand to offer any assistance you may need rigging or getting your boat afloat. Arrival time is 6pm so you should be afloat by 6.30. Enjoy!
Push The Boat Out Day – Saturday 18-May-19
We’ve already got 60 visitors signed up for push the boat out day and we’re hoping to take well over a hundred people out on the water. We’re still looking for volunteers to help and in particular, a ‘beachmaster’ to help boats in and out of the southern pontoon, help visitors into boats and give them a short briefing while they’re waiting. If you’re interested in this or other roles please contact Andrew Martyn-Johns on 07785 331512 or vice-president@chewvalleysailing.org
Please note that we’ll be using all of the club’s adult two hander boats on the day and so this is not a good day to try and hire one!
Sail and Ale – Saturday 25-May-19 – Cruising / Recreational Sailing
Saturday 27th April was blown out I’m afraid. Winds gusting up to 40 knots meant that nobody including the powerboat course went anywhere near the water. We cut the grass and washed the Quest and Kuba so the opportunity was not wasted.
Next scheduled SAIL & ALE is Saturday 25th May so put it in on your calendars and we will be delighted to see you. We know that several members are planning on sailing that day, so the more the merrier!
As promised a couple more dates to add to the schedule for SAIL & ALE – Sunday 30-Jun-19 and Saturday 27-Jul-19.
Please get in contact – cruising@chewvalleysailing.org.uk or chris.platts12@gmail.com
Start racing – Thursday evenings 06-Jun-19 – 04-Jul-19
If you’ve ever thought about having a go at racing and not really known where to start, or you’ve dabbled a bit and could do with a few pointers then the Thursday evening Start Racing sessions are for you. The emphasis is on a relaxed and friendly introduction to racing with stuff out on the water and chats in the bar after.
It all starts Thursday 6th June – no need to book.
Get the dates in the diary and keep eyes open for details in later newsletters.
Catch me at the club if you have any questions – hope to see you there.
Nick Martindale (Solo 5095)
Our Evening and Spring Points racing series continue as per your Club programme.
Hopefully there will be something to suit most of you from all of the above. Fair winds…
John Smalley, vice-commodore@chewvalleysailing.org.uk