News – Page 10 – Shearwater Sailing Club

New ‘All In’ Racing Series

This has been devised in response to a request for some shorter races and to solve the problem of several series that, in the past few years, have not attracted enough support. The series will feature approximately once a month and will consist of four ‘points’ races each lasting about 25 to 30 minutes. The morning, starting as usual at 11.00am, will be two races back to back, so please stay on the water at the end of the first race as the second race will start as soon as possible after the first race has finished. The afternoon’s two races will follow a similar pattern. Trophies will be awarded to The 1st Double Hander, 1st Single hander, 1st Lady Helm, 1st Youth, 1st Master, 1st Grand Master, and the Best Improver. It is hoped that the maximum number of sailors will be eligible for each category.

Definitions : Youth: under 18, Master 18 to 55, Grand Master over 55 . (at the start of the season) Novices had been defined as those who have not won a trophy. This cup will now be awarded to the Best Improver from those with a ‘Slow’ rating. (The computer program gives a % slow or % fast rating for everyone as result of all races sailed . Roughly the bottom 1/3rd of finishers are ‘slow’ as they are sailing below their handicap) The person, from this group, who improves their rating most by the end of the series will be awarded the trophy – I can explain more!
The sailing committee will review any problems that may arise with this experimental series.

Chris Barlow and the sailing committee

Working Parties and Fitting Out Supper 2016

Come along to one or both of our working parties, it’s a good way to get to know other members before the season starts. Working parties help maintain the clubhouse, start box, dinghy park and jetty. All members are invited to come and muck in. This year the working parties are planned for
Saturday 20th February and Sunday 28th February.
They generally last the morning only, from about 9:30 to 12:30, a light lunch eg soup and a roll will be provided.

The Fitting Out Supper will be held on Friday 26th February in the evening, at a local hostelry. There will be skittles and food. More information will be sent in an email.

Commodore’s Newsletter 2016

Dear all,

2016 has arrived and may I wish you a very Happy New Year.
For those of you who have not seen me around the club house or on the water my name is Clive and I have been given the honour of being elected by the members to be Commodore for 2016. I sail a Comet 704 which is a little like a cut down Laser. It is a boat ideally suited for small water sailing.

My introduction to Shearwater was by attending the Comet Open which the club holds each year. I drove down from London and was stunned by the beauty of the lake and its setting. Whilst sailing I was fascinated by looking up watching buzzards circling high above me as I vainly checked my burgee to try and work out the wind direction. When I returned to my old club I remember saying what a beautiful place to sail but a nightmare to race. Two years later I retired and moved to Bourton, a village near Gillingham. Shearwater was the nearest club and so four years ago I became a member. My views on the sailing have not changed, it’s still a nightmare picking the shifts but I was made very welcome by the friendly Shearwater members and the rest as they say is history. It is a great club!

The high winds and rain have not made me sorry that sailing for the time being has stopped. I should, like many other members cast an eye over my boat and carry out the necessary repairs before the new sailing season starts in March. I regularly fail in this endeavour.
The membership renewal form has been updated and is available on the website. Don’t forget to license your boat with Longleat Estate.

Details of the work parties (two to be held in February) and the first Social events will follow in my next newsletter.

It would be remiss of me not to thank the committee members who have stood down this year. We are a small club and rely heavily on the willing volunteers to ensure its smooth running.
This year there will be change in the organisation of the duty roster. All members are expected to do two duties throughout the year. Early inspection of the roster will enable you to select dates that fit in with you and your family. There are 38 sailing days requiring a minimum of an Officer of the Day (OOD); an Assistant Officer of the Day (AOD) and a Safety boat operative. In windy weather two people are needed on the safety boat. Mathematically, we need a minimum 114 volunteers to run the sailing on Sundays throughout the year. (The Sailing committee have generously volunteered to run the Tuesday evening racing between them). A commitment of two duties is essential if the work load is to be shared. If you do not sign up then you will be allocated your duty days.

2016 looks to be an exciting year. New race formats and a full racing programme. It only takes one sunny day and a good sailing breeze for me to wish I was out on my boat sailing around the lake and watching the buzzards circling. Roll on the 6th of March and the First Bash.

Clive Chapman
Commodore

November Newsletter 2015

The end of the season is fast approaching. We have our annual Prizegiving and Dinner on Friday 27th November 2015. All members should have received an email about this and all meal orders and payments must be made by 18th November to secure your place.

Unfortunately in October/November we had a couple of Sunday’s where racing was abandoned because of lack of wind! The reflections on the water were very picturesque and photo worthy as the lake was like glass! This is most unusual as October is often a very good month for sailing at Shearwater, with good winds. We have 3 sailing Sunday’s left so make the most of it, knock the cobwebs off your boat and take to the water. The last of these 3 will be the last Thrash,on Sunday 29th November, after which there will be mince pies and something fortifying in the clubhouse! Then all that is left to do is organise Winter storage for your boat, as all boats must be removed from the boat park by December 31st at the latest.

Thanks must go to all committee members who work hard to see that everything is in place for the club to continue. There have been several days with no members volunteering for duties at this end of the season. We are all set for the next 3 weeks but please remember that you need to do a duty as part of your commitment to Shearwater Sailing Club. It is quite good fun in the start box and you can learn a lot about what to do (and what not to do) by watching other sailors! So if you didn’t do a duty this year, next year’s draft programme will be in the clubhouse from the Last Thrash and at the AGM. Those duties not signed for will be allocated to members.

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Dinner and later at the AGM
I leave you with a photo from Yachts and Yachting of one of our members and a past commodore sailing in the Bosham Classic Event in a Hornet.
Lois