Bowmoor Sailing Club
Bowsprit 21st February 2024

by Simon Hinnigan

Commodore's Note

Last weekend delivered another great day of club racing in winter sun.  The carpark was again full.  What seemed like a really promising, consistent wind at the start of the first race turned a little light with shifts and lulls, but James Haydon’s course proved entertaining for the large fleet.  The sun continued though the second race with showers arriving just as we left the water.  As always, many thanks to James and the team for a fantastic day.

Next weekend we’ll close out February with the RYA Dinghy Show and club racing on Sunday.  March is the start of our open meetings and we’re hosting the Supernova, RS300, University Windsurfing, Laser and Byte Open meetings, please check the club calendar for details.

I really must thank the team who joined Tom and me on Saturday to cut up dead boats and boards to fill our second skip of the year.  Many thanks John Murrell, Phill Benn, David Fewings and Alex Weston.  It was a full day, the boat park is looking very organised, thank you.

There will be a members work party on April 27th to tackle the maintenance we need around the club, please put this in the diary.

Club Security: We continue to have an issue with the metal gate being left open during the day when no-one is on site, please do not do this.  On Monday both the gate and several lockers were left open and no-one was present at the club.  This puts other members property at risk.  Shared responsibility for club security is a condition of membership.  Please be vigilant.

News and Events
Sailjuice Winter Series 2023/24

The winter series finished with a final set of races at the Oxford Blue on Saturday 17th.  Going into the event Bowmoor was in second place out of 155 clubs and clear of third by 1,400 points.

So far, the club results have not been updated so we’ll have to see what prize giving brings this weekend.

For those who can make it, prize giving is at the Dinghy Show on Saturday at 10:15 on the main stage.  See you there!

Bowmoor Youth Newsletter

From Sarah Davies:

Spring is just around the corner and with milder sailing conditions approaching it’s a time to share what’s available for the 2024 Season.

There is a lot going on across the ability range, whether you are a novice young Sailor or budding racer, we hope the 2024 season will be a great one. 

Below is an introduction to the range of options to help you make the most of this season.  

What will be your aim for 2024? Make more friends?  Gain more confidence in the sport? Or represent Bowmoor at a local interclub event, open event or on the national circuit.

To support you please email youth@bowmoor.com or speak to one of the friendly Youth Managers, Sarah Pickard & Sarah Davies.

For new young sailors

Bowmoor RYA courses are now available to book. These are youth stages aimed for under 16s. Stages 1&2 run over four days throughout the summer holidays. 

For siblings of camp sailors there are a few places left on a May half-term course.  Booking on website. 

Bowmoor Otters, a Saturday morning monthly event is aimed at supporting young sailors and their families with the purpose of building water confidence and having fun with other families before any formal sailing qualifications have been gained. 

Come and try mornings – further information to follow.

Intermediate Sailors

Young sailors who hold RYA Stage 2+.  

Otters and Sprint Series Saturdays – continuing from 2023, dates on the club calendar

Member regular scheduled coaching – New for 2024, booking now available on website. 

Interclub sailing – New for 2024.  For Sailors up to 16 years old, min experience RYA Stage 2. Try sailing at another local club in the Cotswold Water Park, we have 20 spaces for Bowmoor Young Sailors to sail with others from local sailing clubs in the Cotswold Water Park.  Boats can be borrowed from the host club to make this as easy for parents to facilitate as possible.  Host clubs are very welcoming, and the day culminates with a BBQ social.  No need to transport boats to host clubs unless you want to. Please express your interest to youth@bowmoor.com.  

Save the dates: 

  • 11th May at South Cerney
  • 8th June at Whitefriars
  •  7th September Bowmoor hosting  

Club Racers

The Byte and Tera Squad training was successful this Winter and will be offered again next Winter for the hardy sailors. 

Our Byte sailors have Inlands, Nationals and Fed Week already in their calendar. Speak to other parents to get a plan together. What other boats can you get experience in?  

The RS Feva Nationals taking place before May half term camp is a great opportunity for 3 more pairs to attend and use the club boats.  Please speak to Sarah Davies.  

The RS Tera events are advertised on the Tera Class Association.  How many Bowmoor sailors will be representing Bowmoor this year?  

RYA Regional Junior Championships – Weymouth 22-23rd June – How many Bowmoor sailors can we get to this event?  The event doesn’t support Byte Class but sailors can pair up in RS Feva’s. Up to 16 years old.   

Improve skills with club racing on Sundays all year round and Wednesday evening (April – September) 

Join others for the monthly Sprint series (April to November).  Join other young sailors for fun back-to-back short course racing.  Experience club racing with support and improve on your existing skills, learn basic racing skills. 

YOO Regatta – Saturday 1st June - Annual Youth Regatta (Members and non-members)

Club Calendar

Sunday 25th February
11:30 - Icicle
13:30 - Frostbite
Saturday 2nd March
Supernova Winter Championship - Water Closed
Sunday 3rd March
11:30 - Icicle
13:30 - Frostbite
Saturday 9th March
RS300 Open - Water Closed
Sunday 10th March
RS300 Open AM - Water Closed
12:30 - Icicle (Change of start time)
Back to Back - Frostbite
Saturday 16th March
University Windsurfing Water Closed
Sunday 17th March
10:30 - Icicle (Change of start time)
Back to Back - Frostbite
University Windsurfing - Water Closed from 12:30
Saturday 23rd March
Laser/Byte Open - Water Closed
Sunday 24th March
11:30 - Icicle Series Ends
13:30 - Frostbite Series Ends

The full calendar is published on bowmoor.com/calendar/

View past editions of Bowsprit
Bowmoor Sailing Club
Coln Park Lake Fairford Road, Lechlade, GL7 3DT