Category: Reports 2021

After receiving 2 sides of paper on what we needed to do to gain RYA recognition at our first inspection, the Rollesby committee got to work on making sure that these things happened. From sourcing fire extinguishers for the powerboats and a map of the broad in case we get lost, preparing the training boats and replacing the accident book with hopefully more future entries than the 2 in the last 3 years!  

This year we have had 15 different junior sailors participating on Friday sailing sessions and we have gained several family and junior members as a result.  Not only have our junior sailors received certificates but we also have parents keen to learn to sail on our adult courses next year. The atmosphere on these evenings has been amazing with parents helping with launching as well as tea and coffee and home-made sausage rolls for everyone.  

We ran our first RYA L1 course for adults in September which was a very enjoyable 2 days training,  gaining 5 new members who are competent enough to take club boats for a sail and hopefully join in with club activities.  

A special thank you goes to Ellie Edwards who came to every Friday evening to coach her group, including running the evening when I was unable to attend. Thank you to Liz Phillips who helped most weeks during both blocks of sailing, her calm approach built everyone’s confidence. Thank you to Rhiannon Alger who joined the team in September; a big favourite with the children after spending an evening in the water while they all capsized an opi. Thanks also to Chris Foster who helped Ellie’s group before the summer and Richard Brown filling in when needed.  

Next year we are intending to run more junior sailing on Friday evenings, adult courses and an assistant instructor course.  The adult courses are in particular high demand so if you are interested or know someone interested they will need to reserve their place quickly.  

Tamsin Highfield 

(Vice commodore)  

WEDNESDAY EVENING SERIES 2021 FINAL REPORT

Over the Spring and Summer seventeen of the eighteen races scheduled were completed. One was abandoned part way through because of a thunder storm. The wind co operated on most occasions. The evenings were good fun and well supported with up to eighteen boats out on some nights. When this number are racing the personal handicaps of the first and last four are adjusted! A total of 38 different helms took part over the series.

The last race took place on a dull and blustery night on 25 August and Sixteen boats set out. Prior to the start there was only four series points between the places of the first five boats so the trophy was “ up for grabs.” A final discard would come into the calculation and Jack Ibbotson looked a good favourite for a
series win. Jack set of in his Wayfarer with crew James and was soon in the lead. In the wind and excitement however they repeatedly missed one of the marks on the course and so had to be scored “DNF.” ( as we all know the most important thing about being in front is to go the right way!)

As the race timed out seven boats had closed up together. Roger Wilson with his handicap at plus nine minutes had pulled through the fleet and just passed Richard Foster for a second place. Daniel Bull in his Laser was still
ahead to win the race and the series.

Series Places.

1st – Daniel Bull in his Laser
2nd- Richard Bailey and Ian Curtis in their Wayfarer
3rd – Ellie Edwards in her Splash–

Full results on web site here.

Dan has now accumulated a handicap of Plus seven minutes and so will need to work hard next year to retain the crown.

With the series complete an informal fun race will now be set up on Wednesday evenings for the next few weeks. This will be a pursuit race based on boat handicap only. Start time 17.30 hours

John Saddington

Report – 1^st Annual Summer Weekend Regatta – Saturday, 24^th July 2021

It was a good start for an event which was delayed by Covid for a year plus. It finally happened, a chance to enjoy some socialising as a Club over a BBQ and some drinks.

The day started with a well contested pursuit race made up of 11 boats. The finish was quite exciting with Daniel Bull over taking Mike Horwitz in the last 30 seconds to take 3^rd. And with seconds to go Roger Wilson’s bow crept ahead of Ellie Edwards to take 1^st place.

The social began with prize giving: Roger 1^st, Ellie 2^nd, Daniel 3^rd. The BBQ was then lit and the drinks came out. The evening ended with the three campers enjoying some whisky and putting the world to rights.

For those of you that missed it, no worries our plans are to do it again next year, but this time with Covid hopefully out of the way, we will be able to publicize and set a date earlier. And who knows maybe we will even expand it a bit and encourage more of you to join us.

Mike…

Halfway through the series, the evening handicap pursuit racing is proving popular with members.
In spite of our annual weed event the broad remains “sailable.”
Sixteen boats turned out on a “tropical” night. Shorts and tea shirts were the order of dress in the evening sunshine.

Daniel Bull recently joining the Wednesday sailors had an easy win but is now adding minutes to his start time to build up to a proper handicap. Richard Bailey in the Wayfarer in second place is also building minutes to his start. Mike Horwitz and Kevin Edwards had a competitive race with Mike edging in front for a third place.
At the other end of the fleet some of our members are on minus handicaps and enjoy leading round the first laps.

So far 28 boats have taken part in the series this year.

Results upto the 9th June here….

The third race of our summer pursuit season started under auspicious circumstances; it was not too cold and the wind was moderate!

It was good to see a couple of people who had not sailed before in a Rollesby race amongst the turn-out of 13 boats. We hope to see you back next week!

There was one Wayfarer, flying the flag for the double-handers! The wind behaved (as well as Rollesby wind ever does) and the sun sank slowly as the race progressed.

The Officer of the Day team was kept busy tracking movements up and down the fleet, so they never did manage that second cup of tea.

The result:

• R Bailey (Wayfarer)
• K Edwards (Solo)
• C Foster (Laser)

Perhaps all of us who, after the race, heard the bittern booming over the Broad were winners.

Ken.

There was a lack of wind at 6 pm and some members decided to give the race a miss. By the time the race got going though the sailors who stayed had the benefit of a gentle South West breeze. The breeze  gradually increased giving a lovely evening sail.

Jack Ibbotson joined the evening sailors this week and started in his Finn on a “scratch handicap.” Jack soon got to the front and stayed ahead to win the race. Next time he starts a minute latter and will soon establish his personal handicap.

The forecast for strong winds kept many regular participants at home. Six keen members went out however, to enjoy the pursuit race, with the north wind blowing down the broad.

With fast lap times Ellie Edwards in her Splash completed the first lap as the four Lasers were just starting.

The laser sailors had many capsizes and Ellie kept pace with them to keep the lap ahead and win. Clive Girling eventually pull clear other the other lasers for a second place.

Special mention of our new member David Taylor. With limited experience Dave set of sailing his GP 14 single handed and managed several laps of the course to finish the race still dry,