Sail Chat - 13th July
Still the heatwave with us with temperatures up to 30C, we had a light breeze blowing up river from an easterly direction with some north in it. The ripple on the water was the place to go and it was somewhat erratic, given to holes and sudden little bursts of wind. Race team of Richard Page and Philip Dalby set an I mark just in the channel off Garricks and an E mark for the run and gybe upriver. Three Comets came out in the morning, the faithful Peter, James Bay and Tim, the sailing secretary being away in Ireland, and me and Paul in the Ent. Peter sailed the first two laps in close contention with the Ent, which of course has bigger sails, but two lumps in it.
In the afternoon there was a positive invasion by HSC standards and the age average plummeted. The Comets were joined by James with Charlie and Delila and Alex. Good show by the GP's with Kevin/Maddie, Derek/Mary, John/Sue, George/Chris and Trevor with Yogmur (with a soft 'g').
Just two Enterprises Ian/Susie and me/Paul. The lone Laser with Roger and in the Merlin fleet, fresh and enthused from Salcombe, came Stuart/ Nicola, John Bell with small crew Sammy, Hywel with even smaller crew Bethan and John Heath with Safa (Safa and Yogmur are partners).
The breeze in the afternoon was not as persistent as in the morning but was best off the church lawn and in the channel, when again many boats converged on way to the windward marks, there were two here! We are just not used to so many boats out, but bring it on.
It being a Merlin race team there were challenging course conditions with the leeward gybe mark in receipt of a possible 17 boats! This caused some consternations, at one stage, as three Comets languished close to the mark in almost no breeze and the new wind brought in a cocktail of GP's, Enterprises and the Comets and a charging Merlin with all up. The Merlin hustled its way in, sailing close to the wind, so to speak and left all in its wake. Places were lost and no doubt gained. Should have gone round the outside!
Considerate timing as it was very hot and so to a lush tea by Nicky and Deidre, two slice award! The Vice Commodore time kept alone in the morning but was grateful to Alison P for helping to count so many boats in pm races. A junior and senior swimming party enthused in the cooling Thames. The Commodore thanked all on duty and reminded us of next Fridays social evening.
Last updated 3:24pm on 15 July 2025