News

Hi all.
Thank you club members.
We are only a small club member wise but I never cease to be amazed at your generosity and willingness to take on and complete tasks which benefit the whole club.
We now have constant hot water in the both changing rooms and the galley. Our thanks must go to Sandy Lavelle for installing a new electric boiler. No excuse for not washing our hands now.
If you look on the website all the race results are up to date. Our thanks must go to Chris Barlow and Pat Jones for all the work they have put into it.
Clubhouse poster. A new poster designed and produced by Pat can be seen as you enter the Club. Thanks Pat.

Clubhouse renovation.
Along with some improvements already made outside the Committee have decided that now is the time to smarten up on the inside. We propose to decorate the main area. ie The walls; ceiling; and woodwork over a three day period in October and also if time permits the changing rooms. I realize that most of the members work during the week, so this appeal is to the lucky few who have retired or have time on their hands or wish to dodge the shopping! We are hoping to attract a small group of willing volunteers of around 4 – 6 people who in a midweek period of three days can complete the decoration. If you are able to offer help for one, two or even three days would you email me clivechapman@outlook.com or give me a ring on 01747 841062. The second week of October 10 – 12th would be favorite at present. Thank you in advance.

Duties
With only 9 sailing Sundays to the end of the season we still have vacancies for duties over the next two weeks. Can you help? Use the website to indicate availability if you can. The rest of the season I am pleased to say is covered.

Sailing.
Annual points and Pursuit series yet to be finished as is Autumn points and Pursuit. There are only two All in Series race days left and these results go towards a whole variety of awards.
The weather as always is a factor we can’t control. The winds have been very variable from drifters to hold onto your hats. This weekend the winds will be on the lighter side for the All in series races.
See you on the water or carrying a paint brush!!

Regards to all

Clive Chapman
Commodore

Autumn is on its way and the wind is just as unpredictable as always. Some drifters and some great sailing.
Duties for September/October
There are vacancies for duties in September on 18th and 25th and on October 2nd. If you could help out on one these dates then please let Juley Simmons know via the Duties enquiries page on the Shearwater Website. I am grateful to members who have done extra duties this year. Can you fit in one more?

Buddy Sailing Policy at Shearwater Sailing Club
Lone sailing on the lake is not encouraged. If however you wish to sail the Club’s policy is that you must either sail together with another boat or have a responsible person on shore in possession of a mobile.
Your safety and that of your crew is your responsibility.
It is recommended that if you are a novice or a returning sailor getting back into sailing you should only sail when a Safety Boat is on the water. This is on a Sunday throughout the year or a Tuesday evening during the summer. There are also specific dates shown on the calendar and the website where social sailing is encouraged as a Safety Boat will be in attendance.
Any person who is a poor swimmer should be wearing a life jacket and nobody should launch without an appropriate buoyancy aid for their build and age.
Wear appropriate clothing for the conditions bearing in mind sudden changes that can occur.
A weather check the day before and on the day is essential. Wind speeds are always given as an average wind speed. i.e. A 10 mph wind may well have winds between 5 mph and gusts of 15 mph. Take a paddle in case the wind drops completely.
Only sail in winds you feel you are competent to sail in. In the event of a capsize check the safety of everybody and then right the boat. If there is a problem stay with the boat. It will drift into one of the banks.
Sailing s a wonderful sport but your safety and that of your crew relies on an element of caution about the weather and your own ability. Should conditions change it is better to return to the clubhouse than hope for the best.
Using the Club’s Facebook page is a good way of enquiring if other boats are going out.
The RYA runs many schemes to improve our sailing skills. Check their website for details.
Sailing Committee August 2016

Tuesday evening Sailing.
A reminder this Tuesday 6th of September is the last of the series. Starts 6.15pm. My thanks to the Sailing Committee for doing all the duties throughout the series.

Awards Dinner will be held at The Royal Oak Corsley on Friday 25th November at 7pm. So please make a note in your diary. Numbers will be limited.

Clubhouse improvements.
Your Committee is meeting next week specifically to discuss what clubhouse improvements that can be made both in the short and long term. It is hoped to target October to start the upgrade. Details to follow on how members can help. Please contact me or any Committee member if you have any suggestions.

Regards to all.

Clive Chapman
Commodore Shearwater Sailing Club

Hi all.
There must be something about Tuesday evenings. I should be sailing but thunder storms are moving up and down the Blackmore Vale. If the club had a web cam I could see what the weather was like on the lake but a decision had to be made and that is why I am writing this newsletter rather than risking the weather.

The last Familiarisation Day was well attended. Dave had his first sail in his newly refurbished Mirror. Mike Dickens was able to crew for him and ease him into sailing. Bill cruised the lake in his Firefly. Juley was able to gain some confidence by reacquainting herself with her 420 and Mark and Lydia enjoyed an afternoon on the lake in their Duo.

Many walkers stopped and talked to club members and there were two genuine enquiries about membership. It was an idyllic scene with boats cruising around our beautiful lake.

The next Familiarisation Day is Saturday 2nd July from 1pm. All are welcome. No racing just cruising. If you need support just ask. Safety boat will be on the water until 4pm.

We now have enough volunteers to man the Safety boat every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm in July. Social sailing is available to all club members. Bring the family down. If they sail with you don’t forget to sign them in. If you want to hire the club boats don’t forget to sign up and pay your money. Guests can go out with you but they cannot hire the club boats.

If the work party is active give them a hand in any spare moment.

Buddy Sailing. This is a reminder that all club members can sail at any time on the lake. Yes! Any day but only in daylight hours. The only proviso is that you have a Buddy on the shore watching out for your safety and who could raise the alarm in an emergency.

Lost and Found
Mike and I were searching for a lost Firefly tiller from the safety boat that was lost and by chance we spotted a launching trolley in the water near the dam. It wasn’t quite the raising of the Titanic but we were able to retrieve it. If any member has lost a launching trolley in the past can they get in touch with me? I would estimate it has been under the water several years.

Fishermen can be our friends. On Sunday morning the missing Firefly tiller was propped up against the clubhouse. I can only surmise that an angler hooked the tiller by mistake and hauled it in and very kindly put it outside the clubhouse. Thank you if you are reading this.

Last Friday club members and two dogs joined in a Treasure Hunt organised by Juley Simmonds. You had to find clue one and this led to the next. Ten cryptic clues in all. (with hints if you were desperate). It was great fun. All clues were close to the path between the Race Hut and the Start box. Thank you Juley for organising it.
In spite of the weather we have been having an excellent turn out on the water. Not been down yet? We would love to see you.
Regards

Clive Chapman