by Tom Whittingham

’ll spare you the weather analysis since it seems to be another repeat of the previous weekends.  I am pleased to say we had a highly successful week of training with the RYA youth and adult sailing courses and 2 novice windsurfers completing their courses.  I was especially pleased to hear the praise for our young team of instructors form multiple sources.   

The CVRDA event went ahead with many visitors taking an optimistic view of poor forecasts and travelling anyway.  Saturday afternoon soon became untenable for the vintage fleet and we stopped after two races.  However, we than opted for an early start on Sunay and got another tow races in in quick order before the scheduled Club racing.   The overall result saw Lyndon taking first place in an International Moth,  Gavin second in a British Moth and Ian Marshall third in an International Moth.   It was interesting racing to manage and to tounderstand how well everyone was doing on the CVRDA handicap was difficult. It was great to local support from Rob in his Europe, Stef and Nigel in the GP14 and John and Caroline in the Lark along with Owen and Bryan who crewed the Albacore.  Dust off your old boat and try this fun event next year.  

It was choppy of our Sunday swimmers and then on to Sunday racing which also exploited the committee boat already well situated on the lake to give good course options.   The wind seemed to have abated a little but remained very shifty to give us all a good workout, especially during the third race. 

This coming weekend we are hosting the Lions Open Water Swimming event that will be raising funds for Prospect.  Please support with your wallet if not your body!  This means the lake will be closed for sailing until 13:00hrs and the forecast winds could make for an exiting afternoon under sail. 

By the way, who turned the summer off?

We are hosting the Lions’ Charity Open water swim at Bowmoor on Saturday 5th August 2023. The event will be hosted again this year by Olympic medallist, Cassie Patten.  Cassie will give free tips and techniques on the day for swimmers of all levels.

This is the fifth Charity Open Water Swim organised by Lechlade and District Lions. This year the Lions will be supporting and working with Prospect Hospice who do brilliant work in Swindon, Fairford, Lechlade and District.

The event is open to all, and swimmers can reserve their places by clicking on the link. Registration will open at 8.00am, and the events comprise a 3k race at 9.00am; 1k, 2k, 3k challenge events from 10.30am; and a 250m taster session for beginners. The event will close by 13.00.Please support this event even if it is by swimming 250m or donating on the day.  

Wind surfing courses are available during the summer for juniors and adults.  Please see the link for details and booking. 

Monday31st - Thursday 3rd August

09:00 - RYA SailingCourses

Wednesday 2nd August

19:00 - Handicap Racing

Firiday 4th August

09:30 - Youth Training

Saturday 5th August

09:00 - 13:00 Lions Charity Swim - LAKE CLOSED until 13:00

Sunday 6th August

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Monday 7th - Thursday 10th August

09:00 - RYA SailingCourses

Wednesday 9th August

19:00 - Handicap Racing

Saturday 12th August

09:00 - Safety Boat Course

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

Sunday 13th August

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race

Wednesday 16h August

19:00 - Handicap Racing

Saturday 19th August

09:00 - Safety Boat Course

Sunday 20th August

11:30 - Handicap Races 

13:30 - Handicap Races

15:15 - Personal Handicap Race