Welcome to another news. With the advent of the warm weather things are really ramping up so here’s a summary of what’s going on and how you can get involved:
First Aid Course 08-Jun-24
Saturday 08-Jun-24 RYA first aid course only one place left please book visit your Webcollect account or contact Jeff Stratford
Summer Solstice Wednesday evening Race 19-Jun-24 7pm plus **FREE DRINK**
In what could be the most hotly contested race of the season, the Summer Solstice Wednesday evening race this year is being designated as a standalone trophy race (so will not be counted in the Weds series), with not just a coveted Cup at stake for the fastest corrected time, but also a FREE DRINK FOR EVERY COMPETITOR FROM THE CLUB BAR after racing.
Will we beat 100 boats on the water and can Nick buy in enough bar drinks to cover? Dont miss out, come along and join the fun…..7pm first start.
PB2 Course 15/22-Jun-24
Due to last minute cancellation one place has become available on the PB2 course on 15th and 22nd June if you would like to join us email Jeff Stratford as it is not yet showing as available on Webcollect.
Youth programme by Ruth Gribble
Youth Programme RYA stage 2
Due to demand, we’ve opened up more spaces on the RYA stage 2 youth course which is running on 15 June, 22 June, 29 June, 6 July
Morning spaces can be booked here: Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club: 2024 RYA Youth Course Stage 2 Saturday MORNINGS in June/July (webcollect.org.uk)
Afternoon spaces can be booked here: Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club: 2024 RYA Youth Course Stage 2 Saturday AFTERNOONS in June/July (webcollect.org.uk)
Youth programme – RYA stage 3
There are spaces available on the RYA stage 3 youth course which is running all day on Saturday 13th July and Saturday 20th July. This course is suitable for those who have done stage 2, have had at least a season’s worth of practice and are sailing fairly confidently. It can be booked here: Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club: 2024 RYA Youth Course Stage 3 – SATURDAYS in July (webcollect.org.uk)
Discover Sailing 22-Jun-24
This is the day when we open our doors to non members and hopefully attract new joiners to our club and fantastic hobby. Please do share details below with any friends or other contacts that may be interested ( note booking via the link is essential)
Screenshot
Family Regatta 29-Jun-24
Above – pirate parade at last years family regatta
A date for all family members with young sailors, it’s our family regatta on 29th June beginning from around 10.30. There will be shore based games, fancy dress ( nautical themed pirates ideally but anything goes!), the annual round the island race and of course the treasure hunt on Denny Island. Not to forget also that Ben and Antonia will be serving up griddle cooked burgers hotdogs and chicken with salad/slaw to buy from the galley.
More details will follow nearer the event
Nettle Bashers needed! 26-Jun-24
In preparation for the family Regatta on the 29th June we are having a nettle bashing working party on Wednesday 26th June, please join us if you can, meet at the flagpole armed with any tools that you have, strimmers, scythe’s, shovels,brushes or anything else you have. It is suggested you wear long trousers and boots. The Police group are duty that day and will get you to the island. Please join us if you can. Let Jeff know if you are coming.
Lake and Cake 08-Jun-24
Join Jo, Hilary and the other sailors for another Lake and Cake is on Saturday 8th June when everyone will be hoping for a repeat of the idyllic weather the sailors enjoyed in May, and of course more wonderful cake ! Want more details – contact Jo here
Promoting The Club Through “Pay & Play” – Volunteer Wanted
At the moment I administer the club’s Pay & Play scheme. I would like to step back from this role by the end of the year to concentrate on RYA training issues, so I am – or rather the club is – looking for someone who’s willing and available to get a bit more involved in promoting the club and the sport.
As P&P isn’t RYA training, no instructing qualification or sailing competence is required to run this scheme. It’s a simple process of marrying requests for sessions with the list of club instructors and experienced helms who have offered to take people out and make the scheme work. Most of requests are emailed in from non-members keen to visit the club and taste what the sport has to offer.
Any keen member could do this, even a shore-bound one, to the benefit of all concerned. It would be great if someone could step forward to see how it works and we’ll do it together through the summer.
Give me a bell, or drop me an email, if you are interested in learning more.
Dave Orme, training@chewvalleysailing.org.uk 0773 4815271
RYA Level 3 (Better Sailing) Course – August 2024
We plan to run an RYA Level 3(Better Sailing) course over the weekend 3/4-Aug-24. We will plan to have 11-Aug-24 as a reserve day in case an extra day is needed due to weather etc.
The Better Sailing course offers coaching to consolidate and develop sailing skills beyond those learned during Level 1 (Start Sailing) and Level 2 (Basic Skills) courses. It includes short taster sessions from the advanced modules such as spinnaker handling and seamanship skills.
https://www.rya.org.uk/training/courses/dinghy-level-3-better-sailing-dlevel3
The course isn’t really suitable for sailors who have only recently got to Level 2 standard. To get the most out of the course, I’d recommend that sailors get at least a full season’s sailing behind them before going on it.
Places on the course can be booked via members’ accounts on Webcollect.
Member Travels by James Williams
The amount of travelling continues to grow as we approach summer, with some impressive results to boot:
The symmetric spinnakers are out and about, with Bill Chard and Josh Preater visiting Hayling Island for the Fireball Spring Championships and Ian Cadwallader showing out of the box pace of his new Scorpion at Notts County. This certainly wasn’t Caddy’s best event of the month, as he also crewed for Ian Pinnell to win a light wind Flying Fifteen European Championships in Morgat, France.
Our Merlin Rocket sailors have travelled to Salcombe (Matt & Hannah Greenfield finishing an impressive 10th in a very strong fleet) and to the numerous events attended by Ollie Houseman on the Thames at Thames SC, Minima, and a double header at Tamesis(always in the top few boats).
Also racing at Salcombe, Paul Smalley and Anna Kerslake finished in a great 3rd place in the RS400 Southern Tour event. Paul’s write up is worth a read!The Chew RS200 fleet continued the tag of being the best travelled on the South West circuit, with another 5 boats making the trip to St Mawes for some glorious sunny racing. James Williams and Dave Sweet were only split by a tie break for 3rd and 4th overall. The trip for Ed Harris came a few weeks after showing his match racing ability at Queen Mary SC alongside Exeter Uni alumni.
The faster asymmetrics have also been on the road, with Paul Croote winning the Cherub Inlands at Grafham, and only missing the win at the Weymouth Skiff Open on countback.
Alex Knight and James Clark finished 5th in the I14 fleet at the same skiff open, in what is always a really strong field. James then took his RS700 to Hayling Island for theRS 30th Anniversary event, alongside 3 other Chew members in the fleet. Rob Higgins and James finishing a point apart in 3rd and 4th. Credit to Sam Simmonds for battling the light and fluky breezes for his first open away from Chew. Steve Jones and David Smart competed in the RS100 fleet, with Steve leading after day 1 and finally ending a very close 5th overall with dave snapping at his heels all weekend.
Our youth topper sailors continue to travel around the South West, this month with James Colls at the SW Topper Traveller at Paignton SC.
Chris Meredith represented the club at the combined ILCA / Solo open at Bristol Corinthian YC, which preceded our own ILCA / Solo open the following day. Great to see 32 Chew boats out across the fleets in more glorious spring sunshine.
Our cruising contingent have also been on their travels. With trips to Plymouth and Lake Windermere this month. I believe we have entries in for the tough sounding 3 Rivers Race on the Norfolk Broads this weekend.
Calendar Update
1 minor calendar update – The RS100/RS700 Inlands moved to the 2ndweekend in November a while back. I have updated the club racing schedule over those first 2 weekends to reflect this.
Format For Summer PM Racing
Finally, the next Sailing Committee meeting will consider the format for summer PM racing (following the trial of sprint style racing for the Spring PM points). Please do provide feedback (in person or to sailing@chewvalleysailing.
Andy Jones
Commodore