by Tom Whittingham

I was surprised at how quiet it was at the Club on Saturday even though the weather was fabulous.  The main users on the lake were the RYA Level 2 course and there was not too much ashore to dodge cutting the grass across the entire site.   Slowly numbers picked up with arrivals throughout the afternoon and several tents springing up before the evening was upon us and smoke rose from the barbeque.

 We were greeted with fog first thing on Sunday, and I wondered if the swimmers should be wearing a small bell so we could hear where they were.   It did clear but the forecast slight winds came and went.  Only a few launched for the first and only race as what little gradient wind deserted us. 

Membership renewals will be sent out very shortly and although utilities costs have soared, we are keeping the membership fee increases below inflation, those for other facilities are increasing slightly too to account for higher costs incurred providing them.  If you have equipment stored at the Club please see the notice on the Boat Park below that will explain why permission to have a boat berth has been withdrawn at the end of the current membership year.    

It’s the last formal Wednesday Evening race tomorrow.  We’ll be awarding prizes for the Sprin and Summer evening series after the race and the Galley has laid on a Surf or Turf menu for the evening to make it an event to be at even if the wind fails to oblige us.  See you there!

Finally, have a look at the Calendar below to see all the activities on this Saturday – it’s going to be a busy day.

I must highlight the requirement to have used a boat berthed at Bowmoor during the year, a condition imposed at the last AGM.  It is very evident which boats have not been used or moved the entire year so renewals may also come with a request to remove your boat stored on site.  There are also still numerous boats/boards and canoes that are not registered with the Club Boat Park Manager and most lack any from if labelling or identification.   These have been tagged and where an owner can be identified, they have been given notice.  Having followed the legal process, we will start disposing of such craft and where possible recover the costs form the owner. 

It is the Comet  Association Championships at Bowmoor over the weekend of 23rd and 24th September with 3 races panned for Saturday and 2 races Sunday.  Cost for 2 days is £25 plus class membership fee of £10 to CCA for those not already a member.  Cost for Saturday only is £15 (no need for membership to CCA if home club is Bowmoor).  This event is shared with the Byte Class – please look at the NoR and SI and register on our website  

 Come and enjoy some close racing; 4 rigs one class.  Don’t be scared, they are very friendly.  First race on Saturday 12am.  Briefing 11:30, Enter online by Friday 22nd if you want lunch included in your entry fee.  Finish Sunday by 13:00 (all times are subject to weather factors. https://bowmoor.com/product/bytecometsept2023/ 

 Andy Simmons, the Comet builder, will be staying in the pod on-site from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.  So if any of you have issues with your boats ask Andy who is bringing many spares with him but if you want larger items like sails please let him know beforehand.

Chichester Results

Here are the results for our team at Chichester Harbour Race Week:

Fast Handicap - 38 competitors 

15th - Matt Banbrook - RS300

35th - David Nunn -RS300

Medium Handicap - 23 competitors 

14th - Mark Hitchmough - Supernova 

21st - Andy Marshall - Supernova -  and Duckhams Champion. 

 RS 200 - 42 competitors 

5th - Toby Banbrook Sam Fewings

6th - David Lynall, Sarah Davies. 

22nd - Jamie Fewings, Meg Mcmorris

24th - Zoe Bazen, Charlotte Hitchmough 

Aero 7 - 26 competitors

2nd - Chris Jenkins 

12th - Philip White

22nd - Teresa Doran 

 Aero 6 - 11 competitors

6th - Rachael Jenkins 

Tera - 13 competitors

9th - Tilley White (only non HISC sailor)

 RS Elite - 18 competitors

8th - Buzz Keck, Charlie Sampson, John Banbrook. 

 Byte Nationals 

4th - Esther Heathcote (First CI champion)

5th - William Hinnigan (Under 16 champion)

6th - Charlotte Hitchmough

7th - Matthew English (Chair’s Choice award - for excellent sailing)

10th - Ellie Pickard 

11th - Alex Davies 

12th - Kieron Cook

14th - Monty Heathcote

15th - Sarah Hinnigan (Award - youngest Byte sailor at the nationals)

17th - Ellie Marshall 

 Here is a write up of the nationals from the winner - Duncan Glen (Spinnaker sc)

Comet National Report by Jacky Stagg

Comet sail no 894 decided in my wisdom to travel to Ogston Reservoir in Derbyshire for their nationals.  Thirty Four entries of which nine were ladies, turned up and were greeted very warmly by other sailors and the commodore of Ogston who worked extremely hard over the whole weekend. 

 Plan was 3 races Saturday and Sunday and 2 races Monday, totalling 8 with 2 discards.  Wind (SW) was very light and unstable on Saturday so only managed 2 races.  To my surprise a good start in the second race resulted in leading for most of the first beat but sadly not at the windward mark.  However I fell back to 8th on the finish line after the second race  8th overall and first lady at the end of the first day.  A good day.

 Sunday arrived with fresher NW winds 15-20 knots and a respectable start of 10:30. We did 4 races to catch up from Saturday 2 back-to-back before and after lunch.  Planing was the order of the day plus some precarious gybes amidst numerous other boats all shouting room at the mark! My lack of close racing in bracing conditions showed with two spills and numerous other near misses.  Although I usually started well, and my upwind sailing was solid, I was able to claw back after each calamity going upwind.  Results were 18th, 21st, 15th and 14th.  At the end of the day I was lying 14th and 2nd lady, feeling very tired and overall frustrated with my mistakes.  That night we all gathered for the AGM, where the RYA handicap was discussed and stressed that Comets should all be on the same handicap!!!  A dinner was then provided by the club. 

 Monday dawned, all feeling slightly weary from the day before with more wind from NW 15-22 knots.  Wishing I had a sail that I could reef, I decided to take more caution on the gybes and stick to what I did best which was start, upwind sailing and boat speed. Best to keep away from the tight confrontations and keep safe!   The wind for the second and final race of the championship slightly eased which meant my plan worked with no misapps and finished a very respectable 5th.  At last.  A real high with some really nice comments from fellow sailors. Overall finished 14th and 2nd lady.

Wednesday 6th August

19:00 - Handicap Racing Last of Season

Saturday 9th September

09:00 - RYA Level 2 and Race Coach 2 Courses

10:30 - Youth Regatta, Cruising Saturday, Ladies who Launch, Just Sailing. 

Sunday 10th September

09:00 - RYA Level 2 and Race Coach 2 Courses

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Saturday 16th September

09:00 - RYA Level 2 Course

Sunday 17th September

09:00 - RYA Level 2 Course

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Saturday 23th September

11:00 - Byte and Comet Open - LAKE CLOSED 10:30- 16:00

Sunday 24th September

09:30 - Byte and Comet Open

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race