Hi everyone!
This is aimed at the ‘improvers’ in our club. Perhaps you started sailing in the last year or two and are a bit nervous about going out on regular club days. Perhaps you did ‘Go Racing’ last year and want to give it another go. Perhaps you just want a bit more time on the water to improve your skills.
This lets you know what’s on and who to get in touch with if you have any questions about anything sailing!
Under-18s - the Red Tape!
If you are under 18 and want to participate in any club sailing activity, you will have to bring down to the club the U-18 permission form completed and signed by a parent or guardian. Forms are available on the website in the ‘Members Documentation’ section, or a hard copies at the club. Completed forms can be given to me or left in the mailboxes in a sealed envelope addressed to the Sailing Development Officer (SDO) Iain McGonigal.
Friday Sailing
Will Derries is the Cadet Captain and in charge of organising Friday Sailing. He writes:
‘The key aim of Friday Sailing sessions is to have fun! Friday Sailing is a great opportunity to get out on the water and practise the skills you have learnt or have a relaxing sail at the end of the week in a safe, friendly, structured and controlled environment. Friday Sailing is run by a team of volunteers. All sailors must be confident on the water and have completed their Level 2 or Stage 2’.
Friday sailing begins on 5th May. Will can be contacted at if you have any questions. See below for information about hiring club boats.
Go Racing
Go Racing is the club’s main ‘novice racing’ activity. Whether you are fresh from your level 2 or rusty after a few years off the water, there is no better way to polish your skills and gain confidence than by racing against others.
We meet on Thursdays starting on 4th May as near 6.00pm as you can make it. There is a detailed on-shore briefing from the coach team at 6.30pm. We will help you rig your boat properly, then get on the water for 4 or 5 short sharp races on a short course. The coaching team in RIBs will help you round if you are not too confident.
There will be two separate Go Racing series over the summer; May/June and July/August. Results are recorded; the series winners and most improved sailors will be awarded prizes at the end of the season.
The aims of the Go Racing series are to improve sailing knowledge and skills, and to instil confidence in a racing environment. After a season or two of Go Racing you will be ready to come out and join the main club fleet.
Go Racing is run by a dedicated team of experienced sailors led by SDO Iain McGonigal. The SDO can be contacted on . He can also be found at the club most Saturdays and Wednesdays somewhere near RS Aero number 2155!
The Ferrier Series
The Ferrier Series is a series of races which will take place alongside club racing on Saturdays approximately once a month. It is for the less experienced sailor sailing a ‘slow handicap’ boat such as the Topper. Starts will be from the normal club start-line after the main fleet, but shorter courses will be laid. One of the aims is to help make the transition towards joining the Club fleet on a regular basis. A full briefing will be given to novice racers and there will be a designated coach RIB to help you round. Be ready to launch by 1.30pm. This series starts on Saturday 15th April.
The winner of this series will be presented with the Ferrier Cup at prizegiving!
Hiring Club Boats
Club Toppers (singlehanders) and 2000’s (doublehanders) are available to hire for £5.00 per person per session. The hire fee is necessary to help us maintain the boats. For Go Racing Thursdays and Friday Sailing, one of the coaches will be positioned near the door of the clubhouse to receive your £5.00 cash, sign you out and allocate you a boat.
Please treat the club boats as if they were your own, in particular rinse them down and put them away properly after sailing.
It is essential that you immediately report any faults in your boat to the team in charge of the activity so that they can be fixed quickly.
Own Boats
There is no charge for using your own boat, but please make sure it has all the bits and is in reasonable condition before you come down to the beach with it for a club activity. When you are getting your boat ready for the season, any of the club members will be willing to offer help and advice, or point you in the direction of someone who can.
Owning your own boat has many advantages. You can look after the boat yourself, set it up how you like it and always know that all the bits will be in place and working when you get it out. Good second hand boats can be obtained for perhaps less cost than you think.
The Development Sailing team and other club members will be only too willing to offer advice and help on choosing and looking after your own boat. Just ask!
See you on the water soon.
Iain McGonigal