Weekly Club News - 19th September 2023
Published 14:22 on 19 Sep 2023
Important Dates
Our final Wednesday evening fish and chips is on 27th September after the conclusion of our Twilight Race Series! Look out for an email with a link to order your food on Monday 25th September.
It is planned that the Annual General Meeting of Spinnaker Sailing Club will be held on Sunday 3rd December. The formal Notice of AGM will be published shortly.
Autumn is Definitely Here
Sunday saw a spectacular lightning storm which sadly resulted in the cancellation of racing. While many of us will have been disappointed to not race the decision was taken in the interest of safety, and in line with best practice across sailing organisations.
Wednesday is currently expected to be a very windy day. The forecast is being monitored and if a decision to cancel racing is made this will be communicated to members as quickly as possible. As always can we please remind all members that it is their decision whether to participate in a race or not (as per RRS 4 as several children reminded their parents 2 weeks ago as it rained and they resisted encouragement they should race).
Social Sailing and Club Boat Hire
Don't forget we run social sailing every Thursday morning from 10.30! This is a great opportunity to get afloat knowing that a member of club staff is available to provide support.
Club boats are available to hire during social sailing, and throughout the week between 9am and 5pm subject to availability.
Why Do Our Youth Members Have The Best Socials?
Some of you may remember the comments made from some of our Solo sailors at last year's AGM that our youth sailors seemed to have the best programme of socials and events of anyone at the club, and some similar comments were made this week! Well it's true, our youth sailors are lucky enough to have a fantastic programme of BBQs, meals out, trips to New Forest Water Park and many other activities. The mums of the SYT sailors have regular "mums nights" either at someone's house or at the club. Meanwhile our Firefly sailors (who all like to pretend they're still children) have a busy social scene with group fish and chips and trips to the pub!
These social activities are all organised by the parents/sailors themselves, making use of club facilities and our all important WhatsApp groups. Building the social scene and programme at the club is something we have identified as an aspiration of the club in our 5-Year Plan and is something the Sailing Committee is keen to promote. If you would like to run a social event for other members please speak to your Class Captain or James.
Site Speed Limit
Can all members and users of Spinnaker Sailing Club please observe the 5mph speed limit from when you leave the tarmac of Ivy Lane, along our driveway, and throughout the entire site. This is to protect and preserve our gravel carpark and more importantly other people at the club.
A Message From Your Commodore
Dear Club Members
As the autumn rushes towards us, I think it's timely to recommend a bit of housekeeping. Can I encourage all members to check their boat/boats over the next few weeks, as the winter will soon be with us all, all too soon? Can I recommend you ensure your boat is nose up (securely) as that will allow the cover to "Shed" water more effectively? Also check the draw string and under straps are tight as that helps. Nothing damages a boat/cover more than water standing on the cover/in the boat - especially when it freezes. The clue is if your boat cover has a puddle on it when you arrive!
However , if you can't attend in a timely fashion, please contact your class captain - via their WhatsApp group or via an Email to the office is needs be - or me, as I am very happy to assist if visiting in person isn't realistic just now. I very often tip up the bows of boats when I in the dinghy park, and it just looks awful if they are neglected - and it devalues them too!
Can I also insist that if you store you boat with the mast up, it must be tied down to the chain that the club provides! This protects your boat AND your neighbours from damage. There are some alarming You Tube videos of 49ers and Catamarans summersaulting down dinghy parks, causing all sorts of damage! However, any boat can be flipped in our climate changed winds. Please also note, each berth is for one boat only, and ANY second boats must be stored in their designated area as agreed by the club.
If you do lock you boat/trailer to the chain, you can only use a combination lock AND give the combination to the office by Email . No exceptions please.
Philip Tinsley
Commodore
Last updated 09:41 on 20 December 2023
