Commodore’s October Newsletter
Dear Members, October 2023
As the Main Season draws to a close, there is still plenty of sailing to come in October and November. Racing is available for all classes, except for the Seventeen Footers, who will be taking their boats off the water. For those who have not sailed in these months, why not try it. The weather can be “very kind”. During October, on Saturday, the 14th, there is an Open Event for the Solo Northern Series and the GP 14 Northern Bell. To all those with Solos or GP 14’s, please turn out and support the event.
During September 2023, there were two main events, first the Commodore’s Day, which was held on Saturday, 2nd September. The weather was great and over 100 people attended and enjoyed fun on the water, a hog roast and ice cream. Then on Saturday, 9th September, the R.N.L.I Event which had been postponed from Saturday 15th July 2023, was held. This was another great success, sponsored by Lloyds Bank and M.D.N. Mechanical Services Ltd. This was well supported by the Fleets, although, in spite of difficult wind conditions, Steve Bewsher had to work hard to get a race in.
We were all very sorry to hear the sad news about the passing of Peter Gooch. Peter was a long standing Member of the RWYC and had served as Sailing Secretary. He was also the Chairman of the Windermere Branch of the RNLI and had been involved with them for many years. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and our thoughts are with his wife, Lyn.
Duty Roster
Our thanks go to all those who have made racing possible by volunteering. It is great to see some of our newer Members, coming down to the RWYC to help. “The more one puts into a club, the more one gets out of it”.
The Duty Roster still needs volunteers to fill the remaining gaps in the Safety Boats and Assistant Race Officer on Retriever.
Training:
Matthew Daly and his team have continued with Power Boat Training and on Saturdays’, there has been some good sailing for the Youth Sailing Club. Don’t forget, that RWYC clothing is available through the Club Website at Coniston Clothing. Now that the weather is getting colder, there are some excellent hoodies.
Belle Isle Challenge:
Belle Isle Challenge for 2023, has now been completed. For those who are unaware, the Belle Isle Challenge consists of one lap of Belle Isle, starting and finishing at the nearest white buoy to the RWYC jetties. Choose your own day, direction around and method. The total distance is 2.10 miles. Anything not motorised is ok. Therefore, any method including the following is acceptable: sailing; paddleboard; kayak; canoe; rowing boat; and swimming.
“This Season’s Belle Isle Challenge featured sailors (Solos and a Flying Fifteen), kayakers, swimmers and paddleboarders. The fastest circumnavigation still remains that achieved in 2020 by Paul Legge in a kayak (21 minutes), but swim times have come down over the years to 1 hr 12 mins (Nigel Rider). The fastest time achieved this year was by Toby Page with the outstanding time of 29:31 minutes for Stand Up Paddleboard.
Also noteworthy was former Honorary Secretary Ian Smith’s swim around Belle Isle; he is surely the first Hon. Sec. in the Club’s history to have achieved that.
After careful consideration, the Challenge Prize, has been awarded to both Toby Page and Ian Smith. The prize can be collected from Zoe.”
This year’s turn-out was rather disappointing, (I blame the weather – e.g. a couple of times we had every intention of doing the Challenge as part of Adult Squad but the weather let us down.)
Trophies:
In preparation for the Annual RWYC Prize Giving Dinner on Saturday November 11th 2023. If you have not already done so, before Saturday, 21st October, please return trophies won in 2022, to the Club House at the RWYC.
OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2023 – SOCIAL CALENDAR:
If you wish to attend any of the following events, you must book in with Zoe, or, put your name on the List which is on the Club Noticeboard, WHETHER YOU ARE DINING OR NOT. Our Social Committee works hard to provide these Winter Functions, please support them.
October
Thursday 12th October – Quiz Night – Supper @ 6.30 pm and
Quiz @ 7.30 pm – Quiz Master will be
David Heron, our Rear Commodore.
Thursday 26th October @ 6.30 pm – The Cumbria Clock Company. The Company
is noteworthy for being involved in the
restoration of Big Ben and the country’s oldest
clock in Salisbury Cathedral. This should be a
really exciting talk.
November
Saturday 11th November – RWYC Annual Prize Giving Dinner
Thursday 25th November @ 7.30 pm – Talk by Ted Parker about the River Tees.
December
Friday 22nd Dec. 2021 – Members Traditional Canape Evening
Tuesday 26th Dec. 2023 – Boxing Day Carvery (Lunchtime)
Sunday 31st Dec. 2023 @ 6.30 pm – New Year’s Eve Dinner.
The Club is now on Winter Hours, 1st October 2023 – 31st March 2024.
The Club is open daily. The Bar is open as follows:
Friday Evenings 5 pm to 11 pm; Saturday 11.30 am to 9 pm; Sunday Noon to 8 pm.
The Bar can close up to one hour earlier than the published times (as above) if no Members are drinking.
All Opening Hours can be found on the Club’s Website.
Penny and myself are looking forward to seeing you at the Royal Windermere Yacht Club.
With Best Wishes Nick Aubrey (Commodore, R.W.Y.C.)