Grafham Water Sailing Club

Archive for the ‘ANNOUNCEMENTS’ Category

Congratulations to Simon Kneller and Dave Lucas for achieving a second at the Flying Fifteen Inland Championships at Bewl Valley. The event was won by Evans and Goacher. Light winds on the Saturday made for difficult racing. Stronger winds on the Sunday led to a first. Other Grafham sailors at the Inlands were Ian Stowe (with Justin Waples) 9th, Pippa Noon (with Brette Dingwall) 10th, Julian Clark & Mark Stott 17th, Collin Nutt and Chris Hough 26th. There were 47 entries in total.

Dave Lucas and Mark Longstaff won the Bulwark Trophy at Hayling Island Sailing Club against some stong competition. Congratulations!

Race Reports http://www.flying15.org.uk/racereports/reports.asp http://www.flying15.org.uk/racereports/results2010/F15_inlands_2010.htm

From Monday 29th June the Top Deck Bar will be closed for refurbishment. It is planned for the works to take four weeks. A bar service will continue to be available during this time from the ground floor Protest Room. Wednesday evening supper is to be served in the Wet Bar.
The refurbishment includes changing the majority of furniture, consequently we will be disposing of six large 3 seater sofas and seventy stacking chairs. If anyone has a use for any or all of  these, maybe in a club room or village hall, they are free to a good home. Please contact Heather in the office.

Three Grafham sailors were competing in the 420 Open World Championships in Athens over the last two weeks.  Wind conditions over the six race days varied from an onshore 12-16 knots to a shirfty and gusty offshore ”Meltemi” thermal wind of up to 35 knots (but with 5 knot holes in it!), all day-long sunshine and an air temperature of around 35 degrees C!

Congratulations go to Ben Saxton & David de Boltz who finished fifth overall (and second U19) out of a fleet of 101 boats from 23 countries – this was the best GBR result in the 420 Open World Championships since 2002, when current 470 World Champions Nic Asher and Elliot Willis finished 2nd overall. Greek boats took the first two places, followed by a boat from Italy and then New Zealand. Tim Saxton, crewing for Owain Matthews (West Kirby) finished in 19th place, third GBR boat out of a team of seven boats.

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Please click on the link below to see what has been happened at the Club last week – and to see if you have made it into any of the pictures!

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With NO wind (but glorious sunshine) we still managed to raise about £1800 (a record) for the 3 GWSC designated charities by all the normally illegal propulsion methods (and believe me it was hard work!).

Please continue to support the charities who were:-

http://www.rnli.org.uk/

http://www.angliaone.org.uk/

http://www.ruralsupport-bedscambs.org.uk/

Thanks to all those who supported the event, and to Marshalls who sponsored it.  Special thanks or mentions to:-

David Brief (raised the most money)
John Ashton (for the fastest lap – 9 minutes)
Frank Sandells (for almost dying whilst rowing a heavy laser 13)
James Carrier (for "flying" a kite around all 4 legs of the course)
Carol Ho (a new member who did wonderfully)
Ann Young (for manning the Boat Jumble)
Grafham Water Centre (for the ever popular Climbing Wall)
The GWSC Rescue drivers (for RIB trips – and convincing at least one youngster that it was fun)
… and everyone else who sponsored, sailed, supported or otherwise assisted ………….

Please can you return any sponsorship money to the GWSC Office by the end of May, or if you didn't get the chance to take part, or to sponsor anyone, please consider making a donation so we can raise our total even more.

You can see how flat it was in the picture below

Tom Smith

So Spring is here (you wouldn't have thought it last weekend for the Moths, Canoes and Vortexes – or should that be Vortices), the Black flag is down, the Wednesday races are upon us – yipee….

Coming up soon are:-

Beginners Race Training – April 26th (Open to all – book with the Office)
Topper Inlands – May 3rd – always colourful (and let's hope there's some wind this year)
May Madness – May 10th – you should have a letter and sponsorship form by now + Boat Jumble – the more the merrier – let's see if we can't raise a load of money for our charities.
Optimist Inlands – May 17th – another of our largest events, but we are one of the few clubs who can host it.

There's nothing better than seeing GWSC at its best hosting these large events, and to see the water full – OK it means there are extra bodies around the club and the changing rooms may be busier than normal – but give yourself a bit more time to get changed or to grab a meal and watch the likely UK talent for the future on our bit of water.

If I can get time off from the day job (which seems to be an all-day job at the moment) I might even see you on the Start Line!

Tom Smith
Vice Commodore

Just as I thought Winter was over, and it was time to dust off the wetsuit I looked out of the window and it was snowing!  However, spring is almost officially on us, only another 3 1/2 weeks and the Black Flag will be lowered on the club flagpost and it's time to go sailing again (if you find breaking the ice just a bit too cold).  As easter is so early it seems odd that the Wednesday series won't be starting until early April – but as one of our most popular series of all we look forward to seeing as many sailors as possible participating.  For those of you a little unsure about racing in general, and club racing in particular we are again organising "Beginners Race Training Days" – the first on 26th April – look out for details at the club and on the website.

GWSC had a very sucessful time at the Dinghy Exhibition – and we have exciting plans for a brand new look next year.  Many thanks to all our visitors and especially to our helpers – feedback is always welcome.

The biggest news of the forthcoming season is our new Charity Race to be held on May Madness day on 10th May.  Full details will be available in the next issue of OCS together with an entry form and a sponsorship form – but in essence we are looking at a 6 hour relay race, with as many GWSC sailors as possible sailing in teams of 3 boats for as many laps as possible to gain as much money as possible.  You will have seen posters around the club asking for suggestions for charities we can support in addition to the RNLI, and plans are well underway to make the day exciting, interesting and of the greatest benefit to Club Members and our nominated charities as possible – please do support the event.

Tom Smith
Vice Commodore

Happy New Year to everyone!

Even if it looks horribly cold outside as I write this, there are many souls hardier than me who will be sailing and racing just as normal – I expect I'll just be spending (more) money at the Boat Show!  When I speak to other clubs they are often amazed how many people continue to sail all year round at Grafham – but having had a dreadful Autumn for weather (no wind) I guess at this time of year at least you can be sure of some.

For those who can't wait until the spring and the return of the Wednesday series, we are continuing our monthly Wednesday talks with Mike McNamara coming on 6th February – click here for more details

We also have 3 forthcoming events on the water – if you are competing then the very best of luck

19/20 Jan – The Cam Cup
2 Feb – Solo Winters
16/17 Feb – RS Winters

And don't forget the Dinghy Exhibition at Alexandra Palace on 1/2 March – if you can come and lend a hand on the stand, even if not – just say "hello"

Tom Smith
Vice-Commodore

Over 40 boats entered the Pursuit race, and over 60 attended an excellent Christmas lunch – many thanks to Teresa, Maggie and the team.

Please click here for the results of the Christmas Pursuit race held on 16th December 2007 – congratulations to all – especially James Kneller for winning the youngest helm.  Thanks too to Peter Saxton for updating us all on the proposed clubhouse developments.

A warm welcome to Grafham's youngest member Christian, born 3 weeks ago to proud parents Neil and Jane Cooney.  And a photo of our Commodore Hilary who won the best dressed boat prize even though she had no-where to plug the lights in!

Please click the link to get a list of the events for 2008.