Bart’s Bash & Club Regatta: 20^th September

Last year, Bart’s Bash (in memory of Andrew Simpson and in support of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation) was an amazing experience both worldwide (largest sailing event ever!) and at Draycote where we got record numbers of all standards on the water.

 

This year it is being repeated on Sunday 20^th September and we want to have even more members and their friends competing – we want to clear the dinghy park!

 

The Bart’s Bash race will be in the morning: a mass participation race with a simple course; for all members of any standard and in any craft (allowed by the Regulations). Club boats can be hired for free, but book in advance – allocated on a first come first served basis.

 

Class starts for any fleet with 5+ boats signed up on the Bart’s Bash website by Wed 16^th September. At the time of writing, only the Laser will be having a class start – others will be starting in a handicap start (slow, medium and fast). Solos are close to achieving 5+ boats (4 so far). No other fleet has more than 2 boats. Get signing up – if you don’t sign up by Wednesday, you don’t get a class start. The slowest fleets will start first (reversing the usual pattern), so make sure you are up at the Club in time! First start aiming for 11.00am

 

It is certainly more about taking part than winning, but:

• First prize is a copy of Knox-Johnston on Sailing, specially signed by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for Draycote’s Bart’s Bash race!
• The first novice (participant in Get Racing this year) will receive the Tom Pearson Trophy, courtesy of the Miracle Class.
• Other prizes will be awarded for different categories depending on the pre-entries on Wednesday.

 

After the race, there will be a special US Diner experience in the wet bar with gourmet burgers, foot long hot dogs, milk shakes, waffles & ice cream. The bar will, of course, also be open!

 

In the afternoon there will be family fun, with on-the-water games for the children (6+) and a special windsurfer race for people using their own and the Club boards!

 

Please come down and enjoy your Club – and bring your friends (please remember to sign them in as guests). If the weather is inclement, please come anyway and we will organise some on-shore entertainment.

 

Other Events

Optimist Qualifiers: 5^th / 6^th September

A great success with 147 Optimists. Well done Dave Rowe and his team!

Flying Fifteen Open Meeting: Saturday 19^th September

Following their usual sprint format with lots of short races and some of the top sailors in the country competing! Do come and watch.

 

Laser & Solo Open Meeting: Saturday 26^th September

The Club’s two largest single class fleets welcoming visitors on the same day for what should be a great day of single-handed sailing! The bar will be open 3pm – 6pm.

 

Youth & Junior Championships: Saturday 3^rd October

A great opportunity for all our young sailors to participate in a series of races for some beautiful trophies and other prizes. Races and on the water coaching for those that need help and encouragement to get around the race track.

 

Successes

In addition to the great successes already reported we are delighted to report further success for our members:

• Serena de Nahlik won the 2000 (formerly Laser 2000) Nationals!
• Jack Lewis won the Tera Pro Nationals!
• Jeremy Davy & Martin Huett came second in the Flying Fifteen Worlds!

Well done to them all!

 

At Bart’s Bash you will be able to compete against some of our champions!

 

Staffing News

We are very sad that Dave Bevan has stopped being a Bosun. Dave has given an immense amount to the Club as a volunteer (Rear Commodore Sail and Vice Commodore) and as a bosun and we are very sorry to see him go.

 

We are delighted to announce that Andrea Halliman, who has previously been a member of the Club, will be our new Club Administrator (reporting to Dave Rowe). Andrea will be starting on 28^th September and working alongside Sylvia until Sylvia retires in November. We offer a warm welcome to Andrea!

 

Andrea will be working every weekday, 9.30am to 2.30pm. The main face-to-face point of contact for members, both during the week and at weekends, will remain the Waterside Reception / Shop.

 

Regulations

The Committee has recently agreed some minor updates to the Regulations including:

• Replacing the requirement for buoyancy certificates for all boats / boards at 9.2 with a requirement for them to be seaworthy and have adequate buoyancy.
• Changing the requirement for all camper vans and caravans to be parked in the lower car park at 6.3 to apply if they are being used for camping. However, Regulation 6.8 still remains: preventing any vehicle over 5.5 metres in length from parking in any car park area to the west of the Clubhouse.

 

The revised Regulations are here.