combs sailing club newsletter · 2014. 12. 14. · you feel you would like to sail during the...
TRANSCRIPT
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British Ladies Kitesurfing Champion Coaches Norman Back in September the three-times British Ladies Kitesurfing Champion visited Combs to give Norman Whiteley
some advice on how to make his GP go faster. Can you spot the family resemblance? The champion is none
other than Norman’s granddaughter Hannah Whiteley. You can find out more about her exploits here.
From the Commodore’s Cockpit
Now that the Combs sailing season is over for this year I am back on the couch taking it easy, in between
taking the mast down on my boat to protect it from the wind, doing a powerboat and a safety boat course at
Glossop as well as trying to organise some winter activities.
I have been doing the powerboat and safety boat courses with several other Combs members so we are better
placed to help people on the water and to instruct others on driving the safety boat at Combs.
Those of you who were at the dinner or AGM will have heard that Sport England have offered us a grant of
Combs Sailing Club Newsletter
December 2011 No 218
© John Saunders
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£36,539 to install mains electricity at Combs. That together with £10,000 of our money should allow us to
install electricity to all the buildings at Combs as well as CCTV and equipment to protect the plumbing from
frost. One of the grant conditions is that we must have it done by 31 March 2012
so you can look forward to new levels of comfort at the sailing club next year.
There is due to be a cheque handover ceremony at the club on 16 December and
there will be no publicity until then, so this is just to keep members informed of
developments.
To secure this grant we have undertaken to increase participation at Combs over
the next three years and I hope you will all enjoy the extra opportunities that this
will bring.
With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Russell Talbot
Editorial
Thanks to Russell for putting together a newsletter for me last month. I was unable to do so as I came off my
push bike and spent a few days in hospital recovering from a knee injury, dislocated finger and then a clot in my
leg. I’ve been recovering well, and even managed to get back on the bike again only three and a half weeks
after the accident.
Thanks to all of the new contributors this month and to all of the usual people who make this newsletter
possible. There is a bundle of things that help to round off the year, overall results, reports on training, the
Dinner Dance and AGM, and follow-ups on the Byte Nationals and Enterprise U21s. You’ll also find an
invitation to the Glossop Winter Series, but if you take part, make sure we see you back in the spring!
Andy Butler
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness © Stuart Reid
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AGM 2011
The Combs Sailing Club AGM took place last week at the Railway Inn in Whaley Bridge. Attendance was down a
little on last year, at least in part due to freezing snow, which deterred members outside Whaley Bridge.
The main events of the evening were the election of new officers, committees and amendments to the
constitution.
All the amendments to the constitution were passed and the updated document is now available on the club
website. For those who aren’t familiar with the constitution this is the document that says how the club should
be run, what the committees do and who should be on them. It should now be clearer and better suited for
the coming years.
As far as the officers and GP committee were concerned all were re-elected apart from Chris Fletcher who is
standing down to have more time to spend with his expanded family. Of course Chris has many useful skills so
he doesn’t get away that easily. He is still helping us with our electricity project. Thank you Chris.
The sailing committee were also re-elected and in addition Alex Bowden was co-opted onto the sailing
committee.
I’d like to thank all the committee members for all their hard work over the last year. I know from this year
that we have a good team in place for the coming year.
Russell Talbot
What A Year!
Rarely at an AGM does one realise just how much has been accomplished in a year.
Well, the 2011 AGM was such an occasion; the list of achievements was pretty impressive. The commodore’s
report covered it all in a reportish kind of way but only after listening and taking it all in did it become apparent
just how much has been done this year.
So much so that I’ve been persuaded to actually put it down in writing.
As a member, who doesn’t manage to sail enough, I feel immensely proud to belong to Combs Sailing Club. I
feel inspired by so many people: to learn to sail better and to do what I can to contribute to make the club the
amazing success that it is.
I won’t repeat the commodore’s report or even attempt my own list. There’s too much to remember and too
many people to potentially forget.
So, if I may, just a big thank you to every one, on behalf of every one, for being part of Combs Sailing Club.
Keith Muncey
Round The Hearth
Sunday 4th December concluded the sailing season with the final round of the Frostbite Series. Up to then
twelve races had been sailed; Neil & Stuart Reid were one point ahead of Mike Craddock who had a four point
advantage over Keith & Linda Wright. The weather conditions were not good for the final day. As Stuart was
not available to crew the GP14, Neil decided to compete in the Supernova. Mike was helming the Phantom and
they were joined on the water by Andy Brown and Rick Whitehouse. Unfortunately, the weather conditions
were such that racing had to be abandoned before any races could be completed and so the results prior to
Sunday 4th stood and Stuart & Neil were the series winners. Congratulations to the Stuart & Neil and well sailed
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to all who competed in the end of season series. If
you feel you would like to sail during the coming
winter months Glossop Sailing Club are holding a
winter series through to 26th February.
Martin Ellis has the unenviable task of putting
together the duty roster for the 2012 Sailing
calendar. If you have any dates which would not be
convenient to do duties, can you please ping
Martin an email. Martin Ellis
As I mentioned at the AGM, the Sailing Committee
are in the process of revising the Sailing
Instructions. We hope to issue the amended
instructions prior to the start of the 2012 sailing
season.
We are also hoping to hold a Racing Rules
Workshop during the closed season. We will hold
the workshop at a local pub. The regional RYA rules expert has agreed to come along and present the
workshop, we just need to agree on a suitable date. We will advise the membership when we have a firm date.
Bob Pyett
2011 Season Roll of Honour
Trophy Event Helm Crew Silver Fleet Winner
Dennis Troop Trophy Handicap Trophy Louis Saunders - Kevin Belfield
Coronation Trophy G.P.14 Coronation Keith Wright Linda Wright NA
Glossop Jubilee Cup Menagerie Coronation Louis Saunders - Will Lomas
Firefly Challenge Cup G.P.14 Summer Trophy Not competed NA NA
Crown Quart Menagerie Summer Trophy Louis Saunders - Alex Bowden
Russell Challenge Cup G.P.14 Autumn Trophy Norman Whiteley Neil Reid -
Philip Sainter Trophy Menagerie Autumn Trophy Louis Saunders - Robert Rawlinson
OM Smith Salver Over 50's Norman Whiteley - -
Holden Challenge Cup No G.P.14 Trophy in 3 Seasons Previously
Not awarded - -
Combs Selling Plate No Previous Trophy Kevin Belfield - -
Firefly Flush Bowl Single Handed in 2 Man Boat Neil Reid - NA
Copper Pot Single Handed Trophy Louis Saunders - Alex Bowden
Junior Skippers Under 16 Trophy Edward Caunt -
Davison Pursuit Trophy 2 x 1 Hour Dave Staley - Alex Bowden
Jack Beattie Pursuit Trophy
1 x 2 Hour Paul Thompson Alex Bowden Tony Lawton
Ron Wearing Pursuit Trophy
2 x 1 Hour Mike Craddock - Keith Muncey
Stuart and Neil Reid
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Shuttle Trophy Junior Pursuit Not awarded - -
Fothergill Trophy Most Improved Helm Dave Staley - -
Hong Kong Trophy Most Successful Crew Linda Wright - -
Howard Cup Leading Combs Boat in G.P. Open
Will Lomas Norman Whiteley
Leslie Smythe Trophy Handicap Series (H) Paul Thompson - Edward Caunt
G.P.14 Trophy G.P. Spring Points Series (A) Norman Whiteley Will Lomas-
Rags Smith Memorial TR (Hailer)
Menagerie Spring Points (A) Louis Saunders - Andy Pyett
Alf Jenkins Trophy G.P. Summer Points Series (B)
Norman Whiteley -
Junior Points Series Trophy
J.P.S Will Lomas - -
Tony Wilson Memorial Trophy
Laser Day Russell Talbot - Alex Bowden
Quayle Tail Ender Last Wednesday Race Louis Saunders -
- Menagerie Summer Points (B)
Mike Craddock Edward Caunt
Anniversary Trophy Anniversary Regatta Mike Craddock - Edward Caunt
- Wednesday Handicap Series Louis Saunders - Will Lomas
- Wednesday Single Handed in 2 Man Boats
Pete Gardner -
- Wednesday Single Handed in 1 Man Boats
Louis Saunders - Will Lomas
Bobrykowski Trophy First Wednesday Race Louis Saunders - Will Lomas
Whiteley GP14 Junior Trophy
Best placed junior helm in GP Open
Will Lomas -
Lifeboat Pennant 1 - Keith Wright Linda Wright
Lifeboat Pennant 2 - NA
Lifeboat Pennant 3 Louis Saunders -
August Challenge (single handed)
Mike Craddock
Frostbite Series Neil Reid Stuart Reid
Supernova Series
Kevin Belfield
Tony Lawton
Ladies Series Alex Bowden
406 Trophy Activities away from home water
Rick Whitehouse
Well done to everyone on this roll of honour.
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2011 Sail Training at Combs – a Personal Experience by Robert
Rawlinson
Prior to embarking on the CSC Level 1 Training Course, my only previous sailing experience had been a
weekend RYA course at Carsington Lake in mid November 2010, a lesson in being cold. Memories of chipping
ice out of the Pico, of knees knocking and teeth chattering from the repeated capsizes and constant clanging
(like the church bell at a wedding) between my head and the boom.
On starting level 1 at Combs in April, I was to all intents an absolute beginner, Carsington having been frozen
(or beaten) from my memory.
Turning up at the clubhouse on day one, I was interested to note that the sum of the ages of all the other
participants just about equalled my own. This was to be my inspiration; to keep up with the sharp minds and
reflexes of my co-trainees.
The course is suiting me perfectly. I appreciate that some starters take the “dive straight in” approach, but
through the course, I am gaining a well rounded understanding not just of how to sail, but of safety, how the
boat sails, sails best, stops, the effects of each element of the boat, the rules of the road (water) and most
importantly, how to stay in the boat. This seems a good
pay-off for a little time spent listening and learning. I
have no doubt this has got me to a decent level of skill
and confidence far quicker than learning on my own.
The training has been an equal mixture of land-based
instruction and on-the-water practical. From the very
outset, there has been an emphasis on getting you on
the water, whether single-handed in a Topper or as
crew or even helm in the GP. There have even been
races at the end of some training days.
With the encouragement of the course trainers, my
ambitions horizon has shifted. At first I was just glad to
get the boat to move. Then having got it to move I was then happy for it to go where (more often than not) I
wanted and finally, jubilant to sail a course. I have to admit to ducking gybes by all means, quickly devising
avoidance tactics until I learnt the art, in the GP with trainer Paul.
At the end of the training season, I am ecstatic to say that I have been deemed safe enough on the water to
have earned my levels 1&2.
I never imagined, at the outset in April, that before the end of the season I would take part in races. My next
ambition…. to not always be last.
• Would I recommend CSC sail training? Without question?
• Was it worthwhile? Absolutely
• Has it enabled me to sail with some confidence? Yes, thank you
I am now looking forward to next year’s training and of course, I shall keep swatting up the rules.!!!!!
Where can I sail in the winter??????? {See ad from Glossop elsewhere in the newsletter, but make sure you’re
back at Combs in the spring! - Andy}
Robert Rawlinson
Why am I going round in circles?
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Combs Presentation Evening and Dinner Dance Nov 2011
Combs Dinner Dance 2011 was my first and was thoroughly enjoyed by me and my family – Jacqueline and
Marnie (8). I wasn't there to collect prizes – you have to turn up for races to be in with any chance for that –
and for most of them you must beat Louis Saunders (well done Louis!). We sat with the Irish Rovers on
Wayfarer table. I was there for good food, good company and a good time and that's exactly what I got. The DJ
responded well to our requests and we bopped away until Marnie suddenly ran out of energy – at 11:45.
I've been a member at Combs for a few seasons now. Although I haven't raced much, I know many faces from
helping out with Training, participation on Family days and from my AOD and PB duties. It was good to chat
with people I hadn't seen for some weeks or months – and see them collecting prizes. Jacqueline commented
on how young and friendly the Combs Club members are. Perhaps it's just that I
usually take her to events that attract only wrinklies?
I don't know how or why but the dinner inspired me to make more effort to join
the racing at Combs. I've spent a lot of time in GP14s but perhaps it's time to try
wetter sailing? Maybe I should try a Phantom? Marnie is keen to do more
sailing but it's proving difficult to fit in with dance and swimming and numerous
other activities. Jacqueline doesn't like water but has enjoyed a trip out in a
Wayfarer at Combs so maybe there is hope for her yet!
I think we'll be back for the dinner dance 2012.
Paul Brereton
© Tony Berry
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2012 Dinghy Show
Next year’s RYA Volvo Dinghy Show will take place on Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of March at
Alexandra Palace in North London.
The RYA says “The RYA Volvo Dinghy Show is a fun-packed event that offers all the materials to improve your
sailing - in fact it’s more than just a show. Whether you’re top in your class or have just got on board for your
first time, this is the show for you. There are free talks and workshops covering first steps through to the latest
racing tactics and techniques, equipping you to make the most of your sailing.”
I say “It’s a great opportunity to see all the latest boats and gear and to have a close look at a good selection of
some of the equipment and clothing on offer – something you can’t do locally.
This year we have booked a minibus to take members to the show on Saturday the 3rd of March. There will be
space for a maximum of 17 members so please let me know as soon as possible to ensure that you get a place
on the bus. Cost will be about £10 plus entry to the show.
Russell Talbot
Byte Nationals, Warsash October 2011
There was a report by Rick on this event last month. Here is a photo from John Saunders showing nearest –
Byte National Championship, middle distance – Finns, far distance – big boats.
Caption Competition
Just one entry for the last caption
competition:
“Please God, let me beat Louis just once”
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This month’s competition –
thanks to Chris Fletcher for
the image:
News of a Winter Series at Glossop (if you can break the ice!)
Ideas for a
caption to Andy