by Tom Whittingham

  Saturday was probably our busiest day this Spring.   The adult RYA Level 1&2 course kicked off with 10 students starting their sailing adventure.  It was also the first Cruising Saturday, Ladies who Launch, and the inaugural and Social Sailing.  The net result was that there were dinghies everywhere and a greats buzz about the place on and off the water.   By early afternoon the sun displaced the cold air and made it a perfect evening for a bbq.  By Sunday morning we were sat in fog, unable to see the far side of the lake but that thinned out by mid-morning.  It may have deterred some early swimming though.  The wind was just enough for the training course albeit a bit shifty and all the races were completed without these different activities merging.      

I have raised the issue of club security recently and local events of Saturday night brought that clearly into focus.  Oxford Sailing Club was among a few other clubs raided in the dark hours and all their outboard engines stolen.  This club has easy road access without a lockable gate.  That is why it is so important to be meticulous about our own security and protect the Club assets.   If we lose our engines, that’s the end of training and racing until we can source replacements.    Please let us not get into that position, and take the time and effort to lock everything up securely.   

This Saturday will see the last session in a group of three chases called the Spring Sprint. As such we will be having an award ceremony and children’s party afterwards.  As previously we need parents to volunteer on powerboats, assistant officer of the day and shore duties.

If you have already paid this session is included, if you haven’t joined us yet, you can sign up here, https://bowmoor.com/product/spring-sprint-series/ 

Afternoon session; 13.30 - 16.00. Rigged and ready at 13:30 for the pre-brief.

Please bring cakes and nibbles to share after the prize giving.  Prizes are 1st, 2nd, 3rd in fast and slow fleets.

There will be a BBQ in the early evening so bring your burgers and buns (we supply the coals).  Bring your tent if you want to get acquainted with our beers, wines and spirits. 

We are delighted to be able to run our annual YOO Youth regatta again on Saturday 3rd June.  This is aimed at all sailors of school and Sixth form age from Bowmoor and visiting clubs. 

We are delighted to have generous sponsorship from YOO to make this event a success, keep entry low, (discounted to £5 for camp sailors and only £10 for other members and visitors). Generous Prizes across the fleets to reward success and encourage participation. For some of our newer sailors this is a chance to give it racing a go. 

The Bowmoor Youth team would like to encourage all sailors with RYA Level 2 plus who can sail around a course to take part if they wish to gain some experience on a race with other youth sailors. 

There will be one main handicapped start with an option for a Regatta (beginner) 2nd start for those wishing to participate with more support. Parent helpers and volunteers will be on hand to help those newer to getting around a larger Bowmoor course. (Please contact the youth team to offer your support)

If not already signed up through the camp, please register your interest in attending  https://bowmoor.com/product/yoo-youth-2023/  Further questions to youth@bowmoor.co.uk    See you there!

Entry is now open for the 2023 edition of the Bowmoor Sailing Club 5 Hour Race. The 5 Hour Race will be held on Sunday 2nd July 2023.

There will be a party on the evening of Saturday 1st July.

Visitors are welcome to enter.

Enter here

The Lakes Trust is staging a fundraising swim on Saturday 27th May between 10:00am and 14:00pm on Cleveland Lake near Aston Keynes.  Full details are at the link.   Olympian Cassandra Patten will be there to give coaching tips.

The weather was just perfect with a mild northerly offshore breeze to launch our first session of the year. Liz Fewings took our ladies through a quick refresher, covering launches and recovery.  Liz then  two courses for the ladies to practise a variety of tacks and gybes.  As the first wave of ladies launched, more sailors joined us and rigged club boats to take to the sunny blue waters.

A few hours of sailing, we worked up an appetite for lunch, followed by homemade lemonade scones with clotted cream and jam. Eleven ladies sailed, two more joined us for lunch. The weather was equally perfect for a second session in the afternoon. The powerboats were no longer required. The early afternoon was sunny and just the right temperature to enjoy a cold beer on the decking. I believe some members may have booked the club pod for the next ladies who launch session - what a great idea!

See you then - 17th June. where you can park a car.  Thank you. 

Wednesday 17th May

19:00 - Handicap Racing

Saturday 20th May

09:00 - RYA Adult Stage 2 course

10:30 - Otters

13:00 - Youth Sprint Series

Sunday 21th May

09:00 - RYA Adult Stage 2 course
11:30 - Handicap Races 
13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Wednesday 24th May

19:00 - Handicap Racing

Sunday 28th May

 11:30 - Handicap Races 
13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Monday 29th May

11:30 - Allied Dunbar Cup

13:30 - Allied Dunbar Cup

15:15 - Allied Dunbar Cup

Wednesday 31st May

19:00 - Handicap Racing

Saturday 3rd June

11:00 - YOO Youth Regatta

Sunday 4th June

 11:30 - Handicap Races 
13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race