Shustoke Sailing Club’sMAY 2010 NewsletterWelcome to our May 2010 Shustoke newsletter.

This is our second short newsletter to let you know what has happened and what will be happening.

Plus, if there is anything you wish to share with other Club members in the next issue please e-mail your comments and pictures to steve.ward.creative@blueyonder.co.uk

ContentsPage 1Laser Re-activation. A great success for visitors and our Laser Fleet

Page 2Sailing Calendar:Plan your racing events in May

A Deputy Rear Commodore House

Keep our new Membership Secretary up to date with your information

Page 3Social events

St George’s Day was a fun event for all who attended.

Page 4Social events

Race Week news

Shustoke could have a World Champion.

Page 5Commodore’s ramblings.

More information visit www.shustokesailingclub.co.uk

Activating the Laser FleetThe RYA, UK Laser Association and Laser Performance supported by Sport England have teamed up to launch a new programme aimed at helping Sailing Clubs ‘Activate’ their Laser Fleets.

The Laser dinghy is the most successful adult and youth racing dinghy in the world, with almost 200,000 boats having been built. However, not all are being regularly used and the ‘activate your laser fl eet’ programme provides an opportunity to increase participation in club sailing. The objectives of the programme include increasing general skill levels, improving standards and competitiveness of Laser sailors’ boats and ultimately increasing the number of sailors who compete regularly in club racing.

Paul Goodison MBE who holds Olympic, World and European titles in the Laser, has become an Ambassador of the project and will be spending a day with the sailing club that develops the most innovating way of ‘Activating’ its Laser Fleet.

SHUSTOKE HOSTSOn Sunday 11 April representatives from four local clubs: Tamworth, Notts County, Olton Mere and Chelmarsh together with Ashleigh Hemming and Tim Mardon from Shustoke Sailing Club attended a workshop here at Shustoke organized by representatives from the RYA, Laser Performance and UKLA.

The workshop enabled attendees to gain information and share ideas on activating their Laser fl eet and the ongoing support that is available from the RYA’s team of Regional Club Coaches as well as equipment maintenance, repair advice and equipment purchasing support from Laser Performance.

Each club received a document pack containing advice on topics such as how to develop and deliver a sports development plan, how to access funding, developing ideas on how to encourage Laser owners and sailors back onto the water and to help clubs re-claim Lasers that have been abandoned.

In the afternoon there was an ‘on the water’ training session run by the RYA’s Coaching Development Assessor, Matt Kilpatrick utilizing Laser Performance’s demonstration Laser’s. The session provided an insight to some of the methods and techniques utilized by the RYA for improving sailors’

performance including follow the leader and all charging the leeward mark.

The familiar Shustoke welcome was appreciated by all attendees and a special thanks goes to all those who helped organize and facilitate the day.

The Shustoke Sailing Club Fleet Captain is currently preparing an action plan for the activation of the Laser Fleet but if you would like to be part of the project either helping or participating in training sessions or would like any further information please contact the Laser Fleet Captain, Ashleigh Hemming on 07807 800 145 or by e-mail Ashleigh.Hemming@btopenworld.com.

Ashleigh Hemming 22 April 2010

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Your guide to ShustokeSailing Club Races Who are you?

We need to know!After many years’ service to the Club Carl Waring has stood down from the post of membership secretary. Our thanks go to him and we welcome Simon Durk who, in the interim, has temporarily taken on the post. Will members now please address any membership queries to Simon, instead of Carl!

Can all members also please check their membership details and update them with Simon. He and the Committee need to know who you are! If you have not already done so, please check the details of your boats and the skills that you can offer to the club that were included with you membership renewal letter.

Simon can be reached at enquiries@shustokesailingclub.co.uk or by snail mail at the club.

Simon steps in Carl stands down

WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACKYour committee members are anxious to hear your views and opinions. Please send complaints or praise to:

Peter Stewart: CommodorePeter chairs the Committee and is in overall charge of the Club on shore and on the waterstewartp@talktalk.net or 02476 462134

Kevin Rose: Rear Commodore SailingKevin chairs the sailing committee and is in charge of all sailing matters k.m.rose@hotmail.com or 07794 619156

David Dale: Rear Commodore HouseDavid chairs the social committee and is in charge of all onshore matters daviddale286@btinternet.com or 07780 956918

ANNUAL RACE SERIES Spring Series Sunday Race times 6th March - 30th May Three races 11.00, 13.30 and 15.30

Summer Series Sunday Race times 5th June - 29th August Three races 11.00, 13.30 and 15.30

Saturday Race times Four races 11.00, 12.15, 14.30 and 15.45

Autumn Series Sunday Race times 4th September - 28th November Three races 11.00, 13.30 and 15.30 Between 6th November 2010 and 27th March 2011 Saturday

and Sunday race times will be at the earlier times of 10.45, 13.00 and 14.30

Winter Series 4th December - 27th February

THURSDAY NIGHT SAILING6th May - 26th August Race time One race 19.00

RACE WEEK7th - 11th June 2010 Racing ever evening

REGATTA, BONIFACE TROPHY AND LADIES’ ROSE BOWL26th and 27th July Fun races, Junior Trophy and games on Saturday Dinner, dancing and music on Saturday Night Stay the night and camp on Saturday Night Bonniface Trophy and Ladies Rose bowl on Sunday

COMMODORES CUP10th October Three Races, best two to count

SHUSTOKE GAUNTLET13th February 2011 Two Open Pursuit race

Due to David Dale’s extended holidays this summer, he is having a well-earned break from his duties as Vice-Commodore House, and has coerced Mark Broad into standing in for him for 3 months. Mark has offered to do his best for this time – then “do a runner”.

You may have seen Mark trailing the fl eet in an old GP14 and so, despite having sailed since the age of 5, he is well suited to a role away from the water. For those (many)

Vice-Rear Commodore House

of you who don’t know him, he joined with his family last April and is probably best known as “Dawn’s Husband”, or “Chloe and Gemma’s dad”.

To help recognise him see this photo of the girls or this other of someone doing his best to stay incognito.

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St George’s DaySATURDAY APRIL 24THFor those that missed this, you might have escaped the “whit” of the Jester and the subtle touch the next morning of the Mead… You did miss a famous evening.

The event was well attended, well catered for (thanks to Sue Gill) and well watered (cheers, Bill) – and suffi cient people retained their sense of humour, amply shown on the water during the day, by dressing properly for the occasion in the evening.

SOCIAL CALENDAR 24th April St George’s Medieval

Banquet

31st May Barbecue and Acoustic Session - all player welcome

26-27th June Regatta

27-30th August Bala trip

9th September Quiz and Curry Night

25th September Autumn Fest

30th October Halloween Night

5th November Bonfi re and Fireworks

4th December Laying up Supper

SOCIAL SOCIAL CALENDARCALENDAR

St George’s DayFor those that missed this, you might have

the subtle touch the next morning of the

Barbecue and Acoustic Session - all player welcome

CALENDARCALENDARCALENDAR24th April

31st May Barbecue and 31st May Barbecue and 31st May

CALENDAR24th April

Banquet

31st May Barbecue and 31st May Barbecue and 31st May

CALENDAR St George’s Medieval

CALENDARCALENDAR St George’s Medieval

SOCIAL EVENTSDiary DatesMONDAY MAY 31ST

Whit Bank Holiday Barbecue, plus jam session (that’s music!) laterPossibly following a curtailed sailing day, this will be a very informal evening involving a barbecue and low key events.

This will provide a good opportunity to socialise with existing friends but also to make new ones in the new members – and to make them feel welcome within the Club.

SATURDAY JUNE 26TH

RegattaFollowing on from what we can all assume will be a hugely successful day on the water, there will be a casual evening of food and table-top games aimed at adults and children alike.

Details to follow.

At the fantastic St George’s Day there was royalty on show,

...and jesters while the serfs were properly oppressed by the gentry

There were fun and games to be had. Prizes for those successful were bountiful …

… while the consequences for those who failed were dire.

A big thank you to all those that helped on the evening, those that cleared up at the end and especially those who fi nished the mead (so we don’t have to drink it again).

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CHILDREN’S TRAINING COURSE

CHILDREN - GET YOUR PLACE NOW!The Club instructors have pencilled in a mid week RYA training course from August 9th to 13th. For the children this could be a combined RYA level 3 and ‘Start Racing Course’ run by John Dransfi eld.

In order to ensure that we have everything in place and get the process moving, it would be helpful if you could let John Dransfi eld, jmd@btconnect.com, and or Peter Williams, williams360@btinternet.com, know if your children would be interested in joining this course.

FOR SALE

Infl atable dinghy £300 o.n.o.

Telephone Gordon

on 01543301472

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Race weekPUT IT IN YOUR DIARIES

Race week will run every day from the 7th - 11th June, evenings only at 19.00 - last year it was a fantastic success so don’t miss out, put it on your calendars!

Race Week is a short series of fi ve ‘special’ handicap races using an average lap format. Three races to count which MUST include Friday when the prize-giving and a barbecue will be held. Bring your own food for the barbecue and have a picnic!

Members of the Mirror Fleet have very kindly volunteered be Offi cers and Assistant Offi cers of the Day for the week and Pat Manly with Bruce Garland also have very kindly volunteered man the rescue for this whole week of racing.

Shustoke sailor leads at Fireball World Championships, Barbados 24 April - 7th MayOn April 29th after three races, Shustoke Solo sailor, Simon Potts and his partner David Edwards were leading the Fireball World Championship.

The common sentiment heard among competitors was that the conditions were shifty and tricky. A lead could quickly evaporate, and by the same token, there was always room to move up in the fl eet by paying close attention to puffs and shifts. ‘Snakes & Ladders’ was how Matt Burge & Richard Wagstaff (GBR), winners of race 3 described it.

After three races, British boats are holding the top 2 spots with Simon and David Edwards in 1st, followed by Kevin Hope and Russel Thorne. Australians Ben Shulz and Phillip Bowley currently sit in 3rd.

Originally designed by Peter Milne in 1962, the Fireball is a one-design high-performance sailing dinghy. The Fireball is sailed by a crew of two, and sports a single trapeze, symmetric spinnaker and chined hull. The class is strictly controlled, but has adapted to advances in building techniques.

Lets hope Simon continues to win and take the trophy for Shustoke and Great Britain!

Other dates for your calendarCLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RACESEaster Sunday 4th April 2010

Boniface Trophy 27th June pm 2010 Replaces usual Club Sailing

Commodores Cup 10th October 2010 Replaces usual Club Sailing

Boxing Day 26th December 2010

Shustoke Gauntlet 13th February 2011 Closed to Club Sailing

3 out of 5 Races to count.

OTHER TROPHY DATES The Mark Archer Trophy 27th June pm 2010

Ladies Rose Bowl Trophy 27th June 2010

OPEN DAY EVENTS Shustoke Regatta 26th June

Sea Cadet Regional Regatta 4th July

Chernobyl Children’s Day 14th August

New visitors Open day 21st August

Mirror Open 12th September

Laser Open 26th September Closed to Club Sailing

Merlin Rocket 2nd October Closed to Club Sailing

Junior Open Provisional 16th October

RACE WEEK 5 ‘Special’ handicap races 7th – 11th June

Great DayWith coverage from many local newspapers the 10th April Open Day was a very well attended and successful event.

Senior Instructor Gareth Austin thanks all the volunteers who took our visitors for a sail. As a result we now have fourteen new members signed on to the four weekend training course which begins on Saturday 1st May. Gareth looks forward to welcoming the trainees and asks all regular sailors to give them opportunity to develop their skills on the water.

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HELLO TO ALL MEMBERS.I have now entered my fi nal year as Club Commodore. It was a little unexpected as I thought I had obtained parole for an early release, but circumstances changed at the last minute and now it looks as though I have to serve my ‘full sentence’.

I would like to thank the members of the committee who left offi ce at the AGM in March, welcome the new and give a special thank you to the hard working club offi cials who have agreed to stay on and continue to serve the members of our club for another year.

Your new Rear Commodore Sailing, Kevin Rose is young and enthusiastic. He can be seen regularly on the water and has raced several different classes so has a good knowledge of all aspects of the on-water activities at our club. I am sure he will welcome feedback from Club members so the sailing programmes we run at the Club are matched as well as possible to what the members want, so look him up if there is anything you think will help him in doing his job.

Our Rear Commodore House, David Dale is taking quite a lot of time away on holiday this summer so one of the social committee, Mark Broad has agreed to deputise for these periods. Please give him your support and help at the social events arranged for this year.

CHASE SAILING CLUBI would like to send a warm welcome to the members from Chase Sailing Club who have joined us whilst their reservoir is out of action, I hope you are all enjoying your sailing at Shustoke. For those Club members who are not aware of the situation, Chase reservoir has been drained whilst some essential repair work is being carried out. This work is likely to take in the region of two years and the members of Chase Sailing Club have had to fi nd new temporary homes until the work is completed and the reservoir re-fi lled. Some of these members have come to Shustoke and many of them can be seen regularly on the water swelling our race numbers. They are full club members for the period they are with us and I am sure will integrate well into the Club.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY VACANCYOur Membership Secretary, Carl Waring stood down at the AGM. Whilst the renewals are coming in, the club Secretary, Simon Durk supported by our Treasurer, Ashleigh Hemming, are covering the role but we do need somebody to take over the job. If you think you might be prepared to help please give me a call or send an email so I can explain the responsibilities of the role.

SLIPWAY ETIQUETTEThe numbers of launching trolleys being left in the water has been recently causing problems with a lack of space for people launching and recovering their boats. I have been informed that there has even been an incident of a boat being holed by running into a submerged trolley when coming ashore. Can I ask that the two man boats pull their trolleys up out of the water and to the side of the slipways to leave launching and recovery room and that everyone helps the single handed boats in doing the same.

GALLEY AND BAR HELPERS REQUIRED!Over the years we have constantly struggled in fi nding people to man the galley and help behind the bar. I think this has got worse in recent years and it seems that many people are reluctant to commit to helping in our volunteer run club that has no professional staff. The galley duty consists of preparing some simple food such as sandwiches in the summer and soup/jacket potatoes in the winter and serving it to the members during the lunchtime period. The bar duty involves serving drinks at lunchtime and after sailing to our members. If you are able help with any of these occasionally either Saturday or Sunday and would like to put your name forward or need more

information can you either see Mark Broad or David Dale for galley and Mike Edwards about the bar. Alternatively give me a call or send an email. We really want to provide a full service to our members but the small team who currently help out do desperately need to be increased in numbers to be able to do this.

CHILDREN FROM CHERNOBYL VISIT 14TH AUGUSTWe have supported for many years the local Solihull group of the charity that brings over children from Belarus every summer for a holiday in the UK. (http://www.chernobyl-children.org.uk/local-groups/solihull). I am sure that all of those club members who have helped in the past giving the children who join us for the day the opportunity to try out sailing and have fun on the water will say how satisfying an experience it is. Is there a volunteer out there who will co-ordinate the day’s activities? Last year Kevin Rose organised things but now that he has a ‘full time job’ as Rear Commodore Sailing we need somebody to take over this year. It is not too taxing a job but consist of organising galley, bar, people to take the children out in club boats, getting some ‘goodies’ for the children and liasing with the Solihull local group organiser. If you can help, or would like to volunteer for one of the jobs on the day give me a call or send an email.

OFFICER OF THE DAY, ASSISTANT OFFICER OF THE DAY AND RESCUE DUTIESWe constantly have instances where people are not turning up to carry out their duties. This places strain on the rest of the team for the day and on occasions we have only been able to run normal club sailing through volunteers stepping in at the last minute. I should not need to remind you that a condition of your Club membership is that you support the Club by carrying out the duties on the dates requested or arrange to exchange dates with another Club member. We will be contacting those members who have recently not attended on the day of their duty and those who do not turn up in the future to fi nd out why.

I look forward to seeing you at the club

Peter Stewart, Commodore

Commodore’s ramblingsCommodore, Peter Stewart, gives you the lastest news from the Club and it’s committee