JULY 2022 COMMODORE’S NEWSLETTER

Dear Members,

     June 2022 was a superb month and will be remembered for many years to come as it was the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

 

     The Royal Windermere Yacht Club celebrated the  Jubilee with a mixture of sailing and social events. On Wednesday, 1st June, the R.N.L.I. Wine and Cheese Evening “set the tone” for the weekend.  There was a large turn out of Members and considerable funds were raised for the R.N.L.I.  On Thursday 2nd, there was a strong Club Racing Programme and Carvery Dinner.  Friday 3rd saw the advent of Sprint Racing at the R.W.Y.C., a new innovation to the Club.  Richard Rigg (Riggy) was the Race Officer and managed to get five short races per fleet completed before the wind died.  By having short windward leeward courses, the racing was kept compact and provided starting practice and close racing.  Everybody who took part found it exciting……maybe, next year’s calendar should include a similar event.  The buffet and band in the evening, were superb and the dance floor was full.  This is always a sign of a band who play music that the audience enjoys.  On Saturday 4th June, saw traditional R.N.L.I. racing, followed by a sell out barbeque.  Finally, the weekend was rounded off with Club racing and tea and cakes. 

     Our thanks go to Riggy for organising the sailing programme and sprints;  Zoe who provided superb food over the weekend and our Rear Commodore, John Richardson who found the Band.

Training: 

     A lot has taken place during June.  The Paddle Board Club which started in mid May, despite inclement weather, has proved to be a success.  Paddle boards are being joined by all manner of craft and now that the weather is improving, more people are attending on Wednesdays – come down to the Club as this is a fun and relaxation night.  A word here on safety, I am afraid that, in keeping with all the Club activities, life jackets must be worn when on the water, whether the paddle board is hired or not.  This applies to any water craft in a Club activity.  The first block of Youth Sailing Club lessons has been completed and again, despite the poor weather, has been enjoyed by everybody who attended.  The next block started on the 24th June.  Contact Zoe for more information on Youth Sailing Club.  The Sailing Activity Weeks commence on the 18th July.   Matthew continues to be kept busy with all of the above, but we are concentrating also on Power Boat and Safety Boat Courses to give volunteers a better skill set with helping.  Contact Zoe if you wish to book a course.

British Youth Squad North Regional Junior Championship at Ullswater on 18th and 19th June 2022, was attended by James Kay and James and Amelie Aston.  Their first ever “away sailing competition” representing R.W.Y.C., ended with being the overall winners on the Feva X L and Tera Classes.  The weather was challenging, 90 degree wind shifts, wind 20 kts dropping to 10 kts.  In total, nine races and one fun race were sailed.  A great effort of sailing ability, concentration and stamina by all.  The weekend wasn’t eventless with James and James suddenly falling out, due to a broken toe strap.  Congratulations to James and James and Amelie.   Finally, the R.W.Y.C. is organising the purchase of hoodies and jackets.  Watch this space.

Duty Roster for Safety Boat and Assistant Race Officer: 

     Firstly, a big thank you to our Vice Commodore Chris Ducker, who stepped up to provide safety boat cover on Saturday 18th June and without whom, we would not have had racing.   It was disappointing to read the Hon. Sec’s. recent email regarding volunteers, emphasising again, that NO VOLUNTEERS, NO RACING.  All Members have an obligation to assist, where they can.  Because you do not race, you are not exempt from offering to take part in duties. 

Duty Roster is changing, you will be notified of your Roster Duties.  If you cannot make it, then, it is your responsibility to swap.  Remember not enough volunteers NO RACING.   If it wasn’t for those members, who constantly offer their services, we would all have to do more duties.  Please see Training (as in the previous paragraph), and book a Power Boat Course or Refresher.    

Sailing:

      Seventeen Foot Class – June saw some varied winds for the Seventeen Foot Class.  Their first Race Week saw a great turn out and our thanks to Nigel Tullett and Nick Heather for their talks on where to go on Lake Windermere and the Rules on the mornings of race days.  The remainder of June saw the same close racing as Race Week.  This Season, our average turn out continues to exceed 2021, with the racing getting closer than ever. 

     Flying Fifteens – The Class is having a good season with some good turn outs on Thursdays and Saturdays, but it is always Sundays when they have their biggest Fleet. 

     Dinghies – We are starting to see more Dinghies on the water on both Thursdays and Mondays.  Now that it is getting warmer, with longer nights, come down and join in and enjoy the racing.

July Calendar:

   Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July 2022 – Cruiser Interclub Championships 2

   Sunday 10th July 2022 – GP 14 Northern Bell Championships

   Monday 18th July – Wednesday 20th July 2022 is the second 17ft Race Week.

The Belle Isle Challenge:

     Nigel Rider, is reminding us, that July is the Start of the Belle Isle Challenge Season.

One lap of Belle Isle, starting and finishing at the nearest white buoy to the RWYC jetties.

Total distance of 2.10 miles.

Choose your own day, direction round and method:  Anything not motorised, therefore, sailing, paddleboard, kayak, canoe, rowing boat, swimming, etc.

Record your time in the book (honesty system!) which is attached to the outside noticeboard next to the Clubhouse entrance.

Enter as often as you like, to improve your time or try different methods.

At the end of the Season, we’ll announce the person with the best time in each category, and decide the Overall Winner!

This is a busy stretch of water so please:

  • Avoid getting in people’s way and
  • Take sensible precautions (e.g. swimmers could have a kayak escort).

All Club boats, including paddleboards, are available for use, THEY MUST be booked out with Zoe after the relevant forms have been completed.  Please make sure you read the policy which is on the noticeboard before hiring any equipment.

Access to the RWYC Clubhouse and Social Events.         

     Please see the Club Website for details and/or on the Club Noticeboard, inside the Clubhouse.  In all cases, please contact Zoe to book and confirm attendance.

     Penny and myself are looking forward to seeing you at the RWYC. We are generally around on Friday evenings throughout the year and Saturdays’ during the Sailing Season. 

     With Best Wishes,

     Nick Aubrey  (Commodore, RWYC)