Reports 2009
Gunfleet Sailing Club held the fourth and final race in its Spring Series last Sunday 3 May and, as in all good finals, there were a number of contenders for the top position. A strong westerly wind greeted the fourteen boats that took part and, with sudden gusts blowing through, capsizes were inevitable. Even before the race got underway a number of boats went over, but undeterred the crews soon righted their craft and jockeyed for position on the line although Dave Rathbone unfortunately suffered gear failure in his Byte and was towed back to the shore by the Club Rescue Boat.
The first of the Gunfleet Sailing Club’s sail training days took place last Sunday 26 April with ten boats taking to the water and a queue of members waiting patiently to gain some tuition. A steady easterly breeze, blue skies and unbroken sunshine brought a large number of people down to the Club and the coaches were kept extremely busy passing on guidance and tips on how to gain maximum performance from a sailing dinghy. As well as the tuition it was an opportunity for those new to the sport to find out what fun can be had from sailing, whether single handed or with one or two
The Gunfleet Sailing Club was absolutely buzzing last Sunday 19 April with an ever-increasing number of young people taking to the water and having fun in dinghies. Despite a strong north easterly wind several Topazes went out, three up, and the children experienced the exhilaration of fast, and wet, sailing. Whilst all this was happening the Club held its third race in the Spring Series and thirteen boats took part. With an increasing wind strength, plus the fleet of Topazes just reaching up and down, the Club very wisely had both Rescue Boats on the water to ensure every
The Easter Bank Holiday was a particularly busy time for the Gunfleet Sailing Club. On Good Friday a large number of the younger members of the Club took to the water, many for the first time, and under the watchful eye of the new Safety Boat had a great time learning how to handle their craft.
The Gunfleet Sailing Club’s racing continued last Sunday 5 April when twelve boats took part in the first of the Spring Series. Unbroken sunshine and a light easterly breeze made for pleasant conditions and attracted a large number of onlookers to witness the event. Eddie White got an excellent start in his Solution and headed towards the shore as he sailed for the Kingscliff buoy. Several of the other competitors however, tacked out to sea and used the ebb tide to help them on their way, gaining considerable ground. One of the first craft around the mark was the Xen
The start of the Gunfleet Sailing Club’s 2009 season was celebrated last Saturday evening 28 March when the Fitting Out Supper took place in the clubhouse. Commodore Richard Walker welcomed the members, looked forward to a very busy and enjoyable programme of events to come, and optimistically predicted sunshine and pleasant winds for the first race of the season, being held the following day. He also presented the Cetoco Trophy to Simon Clarke as winner of the Club’s Winter Series of races. The members then sat down to the traditional fish and chips supper.
It’s all systems go for the younger members of the Gunfleet Sailing Club following the delivery of the Club’s second
Safety Boat last weekend. Thanks to a Grassroots Grant of £5,000 the Gunfleet was able to purchase a