Orford Sailing Club
June 2010 Newsletter

COMMODORE'S NOTES

Many thanks to Jonnie Howard and the 30 members of the annual working party who have got the Clubhouse and dinghy park ready for the 2010 season. David Robinson has yet again cleared the build up of mud from the ramp ready for the pressure washing which was a great success last year and organised again this year by Tony Hough. Great job done!

Paula and Simon Kerr have also done the rota for OOD's AOD's and Safety boat manning. Another great job done. We as members are most fortunate to have such an enthusiastic team of volunteers not just those mentioned above but all the committee and the members who do the duties which make the club tick. We always need more!!!

The Club is now a member of the RYA On Board youth scheme thanks mainly to Penny Kay and team. Hopefully the Club Toppers will lead to more youth sailing and may be a bit of Match Racing.

The pontoon has been extended and is now held by two large steel piles. This will make one of the clubs major assets even more useful. The support boats will have access at all times without worrying about lifting the engine so much to save the propeller from damage and the cruisers will have a longer period when they can use it.

We now have CCTV working. The committee felt that sadly the world we now live in means we have to protect club assets the best way we can. The support boats are now kept near the engine shed which has a camera with night vision watching over it.

For those who use face book there is now a Club Group where you can put photos on and chat etc

As always non sailing members are most welcome to come to the Club and watch the goings on on the river and have some refreshment!

I hope you all have a good season and that we get a hot summer - must be due for one sometime. And I look forward to seeing you during the season.

James Robinson – Commodore

TRAINING REPORT

The Junior Beginners Course (Stage 1, 2, 3, and 4) is now full and we are operating a waiting list. We still have a few spaces available for the new Topper sessions for 8-11 year olds, and on the Start Racing/Sailing with Spinnakers and the Adult Beginners courses. Unfortunately we have had to cancel the Seamanship Course due to lack of interest.

Qualified instructors – if you would like to help on any of the above courses please get in contact with me.

We are also considering running RYA Powerboat Level II (£125) and/or RYA First Aid (£40) courses during the summer subject to sufficient demand. If you would like to register your interest for either or both of these please contact me by phone or email giving a list of preferred dates and we will organise courses if there are enough people interested.

Jill Robinson, Training Administrator
Email training@orfordsail.org.uk

SAILING SECRETARY’S REPORT

I am pleased to report that we have had 3- 4 boats out for the first few races this season with some interesting results. The first race was declared a dead heat when the handicap calculations produced 0.14 sec difference! However subsequent investigations showed that the Feva S should be sailing at 1 point less at 115 so the Wayfarer got it. The Hacon Cup round the island race was shortened due to very light wind, though it increased somewhat by the finish. The Whitsun Cup was won by a Feva S sailed by Paul Kunert and his daughter, winning 2 of the 3 race series.

We look forward to seeing more boats joining in as the summer progresses.

Team Tournament AUGUST 22nd (Briefing 09.30)

For a bit of fun and to improve tactical skills we are organising a day of team racing. This will comprise a number of short races of teams of 2 boats sailing against 2 boats, and will take place in toppers or fevas depending on numbers. Ideally we should like 4 teams and each team will sail against each other team making 6 races in all. You need a basic knowledge of the racing rules but they and tactics for holding up the opposition will be explained in a short talk before the racing.

RYA goods

The RYA is offering discounts to clubs when goods are ordered through the club website. So if you are looking to order publications or products from the RYA please visit our website first!

Website Information

Don’t forget that much racing as well as general club information is on the OSC website (www.orfordsail.org.uk)

Items include the club calendar, training dates, club training notes to improve your sailing abilities, and guides including for Officers of the Day and VHF use.

Chris Gill

SENIOR FLEET RACING NEWS

Plunged from cold northerly winds and very unseasonal temperatures at the beginning of the sailing season, we are now enjoying perfect sailing weather, so hope to see lots of you 'seniors' out there on the water. By seniors, I mean anyone over the age of 21 in this instance!! Chris Gill has worked out a very full and exciting programme for the season and we all love the old favourite’s events. Chris has also put up notices in the Clubhouse for those wanting to match up with a crew/helm as this often stops people from getting out sailing, so no excuses there! Please dust off the cobwebs from your boats, wash and renew the sails, sheets and rigging and look forward to seeing you on the water.

Vicki Bingham
Senior Fleet Captain

CLUB CLOTHING

Get yourselves kitted out for the new season!

Telephone Sheena Barrow on 01394 450737 if you want any of the OSC items that she holds for sale:

Ties  £3.00
Burgees  £22.50
Hoodies (navy)  £22.00

N.B. Keys (£5.00) and extra copies of 2010 Year Book (£3.00) are also available from the Hon. Sec. Wendy Marshall on 01394 450090

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday 21st August: Regatta and Summer Party in evening
Wednesday 26th August: Junior Regatta
Saturday 14th November: Laying-Up Supper at Town Hall

Calendar erratum: please note that the A&O BBQ in August starts at 15.00, not 18.00 as originally stated.

© 2002-2010 Orford Sailing Club.  Updated 2 September 2010