Saturday 28-Jan-12 12:13:42 UTC

THE VIEW FROM THE HELM

The New Year Pursuit Race and Social was very well attended and a successful day. Thanks to Karen Tyrrell for organising the social aspect and to Margaret Dowling for helping out on the day. Thanks also to race officer Mike Everest and his team for their efficient running of the race. There was a broad age range of sailors, with a good turnout of younger members, clearly keen to keep up their skills over the winter. The wind was a variable light westerly. A good selection of silly hats were to be seen on and off the water.

 

The RYA Volvo Dinghy Show takes place at Alexandra Palace on March 3^rd & 4^th, this is a really good day out. There are several of the big name chandlers selling all the new kit that you fancy and didn’t get for Christmas. Also nearly every active UK dinghy class is represented, mostly by enthusiasts rather than salesmen. There are also a number of lectures, demonstrations and competitions, ranging from ‘Our Sporting Life – Sail for Gold’ exhibition, taking you through the history of British Olympic sailing” through: basic rig tuning, racing rules and tactics, PY Numbers (a hot topic for some and a chance to win a new laptop for the club), to design an RS Tera sail and a treasure hunt for the children. There is also a prize draw, with four prizes, for clubs nominated by members when they buy their tickets in advance, so make the most of the lower priced advance tickets and nominate CMYC, top prize is a Rigiflex safety boat complete with Suzuki 9.9hp outboard and trailer.

Many of you will have heard of the Weald of Kent and Sussex Sailing Association (WKSSA), they provide a conduit between the RYA SE region and the clubs in the WKSSA region. Like many voluntary organisations they are having problems finding a new chairman, Barry Bone stepped down at the end of last year. This role involves attending RYA SE region meetings, representing the clubs of the WKSSA at approximately three meetings a year, plus the WKSSA AGM, all bar one of which are held at Chipstead SC. Consequently WKSSA was not represented at first of these, which was held at the Boat Show. If you feel that you could take this on please let me know.

As you will have seen in the last newsletter we have four work parties planned for January and February, unlike some clubs there is no obligation to attend, but please do come along and help to keep the club in good order and show your support for the Tuesday Club who do much of the maintenance.

Finally, if you have not renewed your membership yet please do so, junior members please nag Mum or Dad to renew for you. If you renew by 1^st March then you will qualify for the ‘prompt payment discount’.

Jeff

View From The Helm:
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