by Tom Whittingham

It is very evident summer has been and gone.  Plenty of wind and rain – too much in many respects. Hats off to Peter Woods who staged two good races on Sundy with about 50 dinghies participating. This was supposed to be Bart's Bash where we invite donations to support the Simpson Sailing Foundation; regrettably we did not do well on that count.  The second race was conducted in biblical rain and enthusiasm for a third was washed out. 

I was with the Phantom clan at Abersoch for our nationals; congratulations to Mike Tustin for 7^th place and Charlie Sansom for 15^th place. A full report is below. Congratulations also go to Lee Calcutt for an incredible 2^nd place for second place in the GB SUP national championships also staged this last weekend.

Midweek it looks like ideal windsurfing weather and hopefully that will blow through before the coming weekend when we host the Byte and Comet Open Meetings.  With rain forecast all week please be cautious before driving onto grassed areas; there has been some standing water in some areas, so it is all very soft so you could find yourself axle deep in mud.

The café on our entrance road has become very popular and the parking areas are always full over the weekend.  Some of the parking is poor and some (expensive) cars appear too long for the parking area.  We have raised the issued with Lakes by YOO.  Please exercise caution when navigating this hazard area.  However, on our part we must observe the 15mph speed limit at all times. Yes 15mph, it’s not far to take it really slowly from the A417 to our gate, pretend you are in Wales!  

There are still a few joiner’s packs awaiting collection after attending an induction brief.   The next brief will be on Sunday 3 October at 09:30am.  If you have yet to collect your pack or you just want a reminder on how we operate as a members’ club and the basics rules and guidelines, please attend this session.

The Byte and Comet Open Meeting will be held over the weekend of 23rd and 24th September with 3 races panned for Saturday and 2 races Sunday.  The lake will be closed to general use on Saturday 10:30am to 16:00p. The NoR and SI and registration is on our website.

DO NOT dispose of dog pooh, even when bagged in any Club bins.  Have the decency and consideration and use the pooh bin where dog walkers park near the main road entrance or take it home.  

There is evidence that there are rats around the clubhouse area, it is also the time of year when smaller mice seek indoor shelter for the winter.   Please ensure you do not leave food out in the clubhouse, it needs to be in a fridge or solid container.   Dispose of your food waste in the blue outside bin.  All food left out after weekends will be thrown out.   

Four of our Phantom fleet headed off to Abersoch for the nationals 15-17^th September.    It is a fabulous venue and many club members have been there for the annual Dinghy Weeks and other class nationals.  Racing started on Friday afternoon in moderate winds against the tide making it quite choppy and more difficult to hover at the starting line.  After the first day, Mike Tustin was comfortably in the top 10, Charlie Sansom mid the top 20 and Tom Whittingham and Andy Smith with the top 40 in a very competitive fleet of 52 boats.  

While some looked forward to lighter winds forecast for the Saturday we were all pacing the beach in the morning as we looked out over a very calm sea.  After a delay of an hour, we were released to the racecourse with the wind now over the tidal flow.  As we set for the start someone turned on the wind and by the end of the afternoon, we were coping with around 20 knots with gusts of 25+ knots.  This made for a hard slog upwind and exhilarating downwind sailing surfing on ever-growing waves (note to self: get more big wave sailing experience).  Mike consolidated his position to finish the day laying 7^th as did Charlie for 15^th, Tom closed out 38^th and Andy slipped to 46^th having decided the conditions for the last race were outside his comfort zone.  We then had an amazing high-speed reach back to the beach where we fought big waves to get boats safely ashore.   A very tired fleet secured their boats and headed off for subsistence and a good rest. 

Sunday promised and delivered even more wind and waves for the last two races.  Sadly, the race team could not safely launch safety boats due to the waves crashing into the slipway.  Big waves were also breaking onto the beach.  The AP +1 (postpone at least one hour) was hoisted and some of the fleet decided they were not risking their boat or themselves and started to pack up early.  Within the hour the signal to abandon racing was hoisted (N over A) since the last race had to be started by 14:00 and everyone had distance to travel.  Prize giving was held late morning and we headed to the pub for a roast dinner with ex-Bowmoor members Paul and Emily Watson.   

Full results     Y&Y Report

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

Saturday 30th September

09:00 - RYA Powerboat Course-Level 2, UWE Windsurfing

Sunday 1st October

 09:00 - RYA Powerboat Course-Level 2, UWE Windsurfing

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Saturday 7th September

11:00 - Cruising Saturday, Ladies who Launch, Social Sailing

Sunday 8th October

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Saturday 14th September

10:30 - Youth Regatta

Sunday 15th October

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race