by Tom Whittingham

It’s been a mixed bag over the Easter weekend and one that closed with seriously strong winds.  These are affecting us all week, especially tomorrow forcing us to cancel racing on safety grounds.  It has also meant the cancellation of the RYA courses this week since we stood little chance in getting enough good sailing in to complete the syllabus.  At least we had good conditions and sunshine on Friday and Saturday but not dry enough to be able to drive on the grass just yet. 

The Sunday pursuit races did draw out some hardy sailors but as the gusts started to tip over 35kts only one race was held.  If I pick out anyone for this, it must be Josh Pickard who managed to stay out in front for most of the race and only in the latter stages slipped to an awesome 5th place. 

Next weekend is a big one for the youth programme with the inaugural Spring Sprints and Otters,  and for the first gathering of Lady who Launch for 2023, the latter being more maintenance and social on this occasion. 

Regret cancelled this week due weather.  Normal service should resume next week.  

The youth training mangers are pleased to announce the first sprint series at Bowmoor Sailing club on Saturday afternoons starting 15th April - See Youth Calendar.  

The sprint series are designed to encourage young sailors at Bowmoor to participate and improve their sailing through some mini taster chases.  This is aimed at all sailors who have a minimum of RYA stage 1&2 and support will be available from more experienced youth sailors and parents.  The aim is for a friendly, relaxed and sociable, afternoon session to develop skills and confidence on the water. 

Focus will be on correct rigging, safe launching and recovering, taking part in a series of short chases, practice start lines, up wind and downward sailing, mark rounding. The emphasis is on participation and building on existing skills.

Young sailors will have the opportunity to socialise together after the event which in our experience is what brings them back to sailing time and time again, families may choose to stay into the evening and camp. 

This is an event run by all parents for the benefit of young sailors at the lowest possible cost.  We are asking for £10 per child for three Saturdays, the consistency helps sailors build up their experience.  Plus three sessions means we can run a little mini-race-series with results and prizes at the end of each series, each sailor will be able to track their progress throughout the three events.

This is not a turn up and pay event, we need you to book in advance, because Bowmoor Sailing Club has to ensure adequate safety boat coverage for our young sailor's experience.  So sign up here (https://bowmoor.com/product/spring-sprint-series/) to guarantee your young sailors place in this exciting new series of events.  Further details will be on the Bowmoor Young Sailor - WhatsApp group.

Please contact youth@bowmoor.com if you have any questions or would like to offer your assistance to our fantastic youth training team.

Ladies who launch official starts on the 13th May. However we would like to invite all members to come along and dust off their boats and do any maintenance tasks to get them ready for May. 

You can also “Ask Tom” any rigging, maintenance or fettling questions about yours or club boats.  See you there!

We are having a work party on Saturday 22nd April to get us ready for the Summer.  There are a lot of jobs to do both ashore and on the water, we’re planning: to build a canoe rack, clear out parts of the race hut, the boat shed and the club house, maintain and repair the race marks, and assemble the new Optibats too.  There is a variety of cleaning and painting to do.  Was always the more helpers, the lighter the work.

We’ll start at 10, and there will be soup and rolls for everyone working.

The Come and \try day is on Saturday 29th April, 10:30am to 15:30pm.  This is an opportunity to invite freinds to teh Club who are interested in learning to or resuming sailing.  For detailes see https://bowmoor.com/open-day-29th-april/ 

If you want to help, see the Bowmoor Facebook page calling for volunteers. 

The actual wind speed readings can now be found at https://www.windguru.cz/99806 thanks to the hard work of Nick Holmes.

Family membership eligibility is to parent(s) and their children up to the end of tertiary education - that's university or full-time college. It is not multigenerational, not does it include offspring who have left university even if they are now living with you again.  If your grown-up children want to use the Club, then they need to join in their own right, or only come occasionally under the Club rules for guests. 

May I remind you that cars should not be driven into or parked within the boat park other than to drop off or collect boats.  It is not a picnic or sunbathing venue.  This is clearly stated in the rules: no parking in or within 5m of the western boat park. 

Saturday 15th April

09:00  - RYA Powerboat Course

10:30 - Youth Regatta/Otters

11:00 - Ladies who Launch

Sunday 16th April
11:30 - Handicap Races 
13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Wednesday 19th April

19:00 - Handicap Racing

Saturday 22nd April

09:30 - Club Work Party Day

Sunday 23rd April
11:30 - Handicap Races 
13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Wednesday 26th April

19:00 - Handicap Racing

Saturday 29nd April

09:30 - Come and Try Day

Sunday 30th April
11:30 - Handicap Races 
13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race