Solo Western Area Championship 9 June

Sailing Report

The sun has continued to beat down, (people are walking around with very healthy looking tans!), the water is evaporating from the lake, and the winds have been light and fickle. Our points series racing has been challenging this past fortnight, and it is upsetting to see the weed catching on the keel of my K1…. Don’t sail too close to the edges!

Solo Western Area Championships and Laser Open meeting – 24 Solos and 26 Lasers enjoyed the warm sunshine as they tried to negotiate a light and shifty North Easterly breeze which, to be fair, kept gently puffing all day. The shifts kept us on our toes on the Committee Boat. The final race saw the ultimate race committee nightmare as the Solos got stuck in a lull 10 abreast heading for the finish – we could see the gust coming down behind them, and sure enough, they all charged across the line together! Three independent results sheets, a hastily arranged video and my Dictaphone were needed to sort the final finishing order! Ian Maclean, an ex-Chew member, now at South Cerney, won the Solo event counting two first places. Our own Chris Goldhawk took the other bullet to finish second overall. Gary Molton and Rob Mitchell from Chew were placed 4th and 5th.

The Laser fleet was won by Ed Higson from Bartley Sailing Club, again counting two first places. Chew’s own hero, Peter Sherwin, showed he can mix it in the light stuff by winning the third race. Everyone was delighted to cheer John Spelman in second place overall; normally found steering an RS200 on Wednesday evenings, he scored a second and two third places – well done John. Julian Cooke and Peter Sherwin also got into the top five.

Finally I have to mention the titanic luffing battle between our own Andrew Southall defending his position against David Hynes. It was dog eat dog, reminding us of Ali vs Frazier! The only pity is we did not catch it on video!

Start Racing – Thursday evenings. The Thursday evening “Start Racing” sessions have started and are proving popular. Around 15 boats joined in the first ranging from Toppers to double-handers (a Vago and a Quest), with a Mirror and a healthy throng of Lasers in the middle. After a brief chat on the shore we went afloat for about an hour, sailing around a simple triangular course and practicing lots of starts to get the hang of timing and sailing near other boats. Then it was back on shore to chat about the key points and a chance for questions over a pint – all very relaxed.

The sessions are running over 5 Thursdays (last one on 5 July) and open to all. Just turn up rigged and changed for 6pm (or whenever you can), it’s very informal and is tailored to suit the weather and experience of all taking part on the day – no previous racing experience assumed.

Any questions contact Nick Martindale: nick_martindale@hotmail.com

Lake and Cake 4 – Saturday 02-Jun-18 – everyone had a lovely afternoon sail around the lake in the sunshine and light winds. The racing buoys were again the focus of attention as the sailors practised 720s around each. It was one good turn (!) after another as the boats pirouetted around the marks (not that the ladies ever intend breaking the racing rules!). The tea, home-made cakes and savouries afterwards were much welcome by the sailors, and by many others at the club and has become a good time for a chat and a catch-up.

The next important date in the Lake & Cake calendar which takes place on Saturday 30th June is the Ladies Trophy Race. There will be some race practice beforehand to get everyone in the mood for a bit of light hearted competition. The plan for the day is: 10.45am – morning briefing for training. 1.30pm – Race Briefing for 2pm start and 3 short races. Then tea, cakes and prize-giving.

If you would like to be added to the Lake & Cake email list please contact Rosie on rosie.bowers@btinternet.com.

Cruising News

We would like to introduce ourselves as the new Cruising Representatives having volunteered to represent the Club’s cruisers on the sailing committee. We are Chris and Ann Platts. We joined the club in April 2017 and immediately attended the Level 2 RYA sailing course, basically because we had two sailing dinghies but couldn’t sail. Hopefully we have provided plenty of entertainment to other sailors in our RS Quest (you can’t miss it when it’s on the water). We have been reading the responses to the recent survey which highlight the general positive feeling towards how the club operates, but are keen to look at progressing cruising as an important part of the club and its many, varied activities.

The main theme to come out of the survey responses is to generate a cruising community and have some regular gatherings throughout the year including the winter months. We have had some wonderful winter days out on the water sharing the lake with very few other boats. This could initially be based on a general sail (cruise) followed by a social gathering in the club house simply to identify members of this important group within the club. We don’t know who you are so we want to hear from you.

We would also like to hear from new members who are finding their feet at Chew even if you do not have anything to sail yet. This could be a great way to meet other club members and get you out on the water.

Its early days but hopefully we can help to promote the views of the cruising members of the club. We will work on getting an email address organised for the next sailing report so we can hear from you but in the meantime if you see us at the club introduce yourselves as we love to chat.
Contact – chris.platts12@gmail.com

Laser Open Meeting 09-Jun-18

Looking Forward

RS Feva Inland Championships – Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June
The Fevas have chosen Chew for their Inlands several times, and each weekend has been enjoyed by everyone involved, particularly the large team of volunteers without whom these events could not run smoothly.

As with the Solo and Laser day, the parking is being supervised by our Police group – who better?! Many thanks to Jeff Stratford and his team.

Rob Mitchell is the appointed Race Officer and I expect he will have between 50-70 boats to control. This should be a great spectator weekend and, all being well, there should be plenty of room left on the lake for general sailing. As always, particularly with a Junior class boat open, the weather is the key factor in this enabling any spare capacity for safety RIBs or otherwise.

Class Race Day 2 – Sprint Races – Sunday 24th June. NOTE THE EARLY START – 10.30
Our PRO Keith Harris is taking charge of this day which, when well run, is enjoyed by all the racers involved. Keith is planning 8 races – 4 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. The total turn-around time for each one will be 30 minutes using our large orange inflatable marks. Prizes will be awarded when the racing is complete.

After watching the Fevas the week before, I reckon the racers will be keen for the practice that these short races give them; again, great spectator sport.

Safety Boat Day course – Saturday 23rd June

The one day safety boat courses have been enjoyed by everyone taking part, and undoubtedly improve their ability to tackle safety issues on the lake. The next course on the 23rd June still has spaces which need to be filled. This course is FREE!! Jeff Stratford has prepared a poster giving details of the day which you can find here.

Alternatively contact Jeff straight away on: jeffstratford@btinternet.com

Ladies Day – Trophy Race, training and social – Saturday 30th June
See Rosie’s notes above for details.

Admirals Chase Series starts Sunday 1st July am (back to 11.00 am starts so we get the usual lie-in!)
The Admirals Cup trophy is one of the finest in the Club. There are 6 morning races scheduled as part of the series, and everybody starts together in an all-in handicap format. This first race on the 1st July is also for the Steve Morris Trophy – a plaque donated to commemorate a member we lost.

CLADS – We have recently welcomed James Boston as the new CLADS representative on the Sailing Committee, whilst thanking Mike Preater for serving in this role for many years.

The group are keen to attract both new sailors and able bodied helpers. Steve Nash has recently updated their website with clearer information on joining CLADS; the links are:
Joining as a Sailor: https://www.clads.co.uk/membership/joining/
Joining as a Helper: https://www.clads.co.uk/membership/joining-as-a-helper/

Looking Even Further Forward…

Family Regatta – Saturday 7th July – this has to be one of the best days at the Club each year. It is the one day that we are permitted en-masse to visit Denny Island. Look out for the event posters around the Club giving details and timings.
There will be the usual fun Round the Island race. There is no more inspiring sight than boat loads of families, in boats dressed with flags and bunting, full of boisterous young pirates, setting off to sail round the island. Paddles have been used and ooching, rocking and rolling is permitted! There will be copious prizes for entrants – the smaller they are the better!

The traditional Pirate Parade will be lead by our pirate in chief, Hugh Whatley. Costumes will be judged! And then there is the mass exodus to Denny Island by sailboat, Denny Ferry or Dory to search for buried treasure. We also plan to resurrect ‘Sink the Oppie’!

Late afternoon Rob will have the BBQ set up for the essential pirate nourishment!

Whatever you do, get this day in your diaries – it’s worth cancelling that trip to the Med so you don’t miss out! Click to view the Regatta Poster.

And Finally

From Helen:

  • Please complete the members satisfaction survey from the RYA, which went live on June 1st. We want to know your views about our club- it will help us to plan ahead.
  • Current red stickers should be on your boats by now.
  • Do not go sailing unless there is safety cover and the Club flag is flying!

John Smalley, vice-commodore@chewvallysailing.org.uk