Saturday Club on 17th May was certainly a cooler morning than in previous weeks, but there was a strong turnout of 22 sailors aged 4-14, using their own Topper’s, Tera’s and of course the club Oppies.

A fresh NE breeze made for challenging conditions but all of the helms and crews did very well indeed in coping with this, even if some might have felt a little daunted at first. Well done to Matt, Andy, Nigel B, Nigel R and Des for their efforts on duty, and thanks to everyone else for rolling up their shorts and getting wet.

There was a fair bit of excitement in collecting some of the returning boats at high speed from a broad reach. Rudders, dagger boards and the nerves of the beach crew were all still intact at the end of the session.

Saturday Club Report 31st May
A warm, sunny morning with a light Northerly wind to keep everyone cool, just about perfect conditions for learning. Thanks to Charles, Simon, Matt, Guss, Tim and Kerry for manning the boats and the rota duties. Starting the day with a fully rigged tow to the far end of the lake to keep away from the Regional RIB final, certainly made for a great sight. Finn, Emilia, Emily, Louise, Amy, Ella, and Peter then enjoyed a lovely sail on new territory for the Saturday Club team; even going as far as marker buoys 3 and 4!

Follow my leader quickly turned into landing on the Island, where emergency rations of donuts and juice were sent for at break time. The safety boat then led everyone on a circuit of the Island before rafting up and sailing back to shore. Most of the Saturday Club then seemed intent on getting their “Swimming 100m (3m from shore badge) and testing out their wet suits at this point.

A good time had by all.

Saturday 7th June 2008.

Lovely light winds from the north with nice sunny weather made for excellent learning conditions in the first session, even if the Oppie sailors sometimes felt themselves becalmed, they all did really well. In the second session we took advantage of the very low winds and the relatively small number of sailors needing club boats, and some of the Saturday Club team had their first experience of sailing Toppers – a lot of fun for all.

The sailors enjoyed the conditions and spent time beating (sails in) going towards the wind as much as possible, reaching (sails half out) across the wind and running (sails right out) with the wind behind the boat. Everyone then took part in some follow-my-leader fun and tacking (turning the bow of the boat through the wind) and gybing (turning the stern of the boat through the wind) altogether, it all looked very well choreographed – from a distance!

14th June: The predicted fresh breezes were delayed by a few hours and made for a fine morning yet again with nice light winds and warm conditions to begin with. Well done to the sailors as there has been a noticeable improvement in the skills of the sailors in dealing with the beating and running that was set up in the first session.There is a growing confidence about how to position the boat and where the sails should be set at each point of sailing, with a lot of cooperation and laughter in the boats being sailed two-up.

After the break a lovely long follow my leader was set up, with marker buoys 9 & 7 coming into play for the first time this season – where next for the Saturday Club !? The wind then began to freshen up markedly to give the sailors a good test of their beating ability (close to the wind) in sailing back across the lake. There was much excitement and tales of daring-do on the beach when everyone made it back without mishap.

As the conditions worsened a capsize drill was carried out with a variety of solo and dual efforts being completed in driving rain.

Hot chocolate and lunch was then the order of the day. Thanks to the parents and helpers for a good job.

21st June 08
Four families showed up (10 kids) despite rain and lack of wind. Club toppers and two of our own boats found there way to the training lake. Nige B showed off his skills sailing out to get Orange Safety as we couldn't find oars for the dinghy!

Very impressive sailing by all. Katie sailed a Topper by herself and we had a Laser out handled nicely by some of the older girls. After some tight mark rounding and copious chocolates (sorry Pauline) a follow my leader with the die hards and not yet too cold remaining clubbers resulted in some great tacking on a short beat and then it was all volunteers derigging and sos & chips for lunch.

Not a bad effort considering lousy weather and impromptu arrangements on the training lake.