Sail Chat - 8th and 9th June 2024

Must mention The Pirates Day on the Saturday, produced and directed expertly by Liz and Philip Dalby. A large number of very young children ( I think I heard 26) had a whale of a time including an obstacle sailing race, water pistol shoot-outs and an update 'walk the plank' on paddle boards, what a very fine use for them! Then Rounders on the park, followed by a super BBQ by Ian and Rob Bunner with loads of lovely salads.

Sunday produced a cool north westerly with varying strengths according to ones position on the race course. Officiating was John Heath with Anna and Claude timekeeping. The breeze was best downstream and shifty up as is usual with this wind direction. In the morning, David sailed Brians Comet, James his, Elize was in Pinky Seaweed, I, but briefly, sailed a Comet but got the the main under the rudder and forgot the bung, so retired. Paul and Sarah were in GP1, getting a bit wet but finished the race.

In the afternoon the wind freshened as did the attendance. In the GP's were Kevin and Maddie, Derek and Mary, John with Sue and Ellen in GP1 with Alex and Jade under race tuition, this boat proving to be a challenge! The Merlins showed up with Stuart and Nicola, John with Deirdre and Andrew with the jolly Ellie. Handicappers were James, David and Philip with Charlie and Sammy in Comets. Enterprises were Jane and Sarah, Ian and Susie and me with Paul. Conditions were frisky off the gybe mark at I and H, but upstream past the notorious Willow, decidedly tricky, short tacking on the Surrey bank sometimes worked.

Tea by Dorothy and Bar various.

Phill

Last updated 11:25am on 21 July 2024