Sunday 29th June 2014

"Sunday 29th June 2014 "

More light winds again today . I was involved in the training and was out with  Tom  in the club GP. We sailed between two marks , beating then running back . We practiced tacks and gybes for about an hour . Tom did well , the problems came when the wind direction changed , its difficult to get your head round, but the wind direction is seldom constant on an inland water . Being effected by the surrounding hills and obstacles . All part of the fun!! In the afternoon I sailed with Nicola . There was just enough breeze to get round , but it was frustrating . After an initial 20 boats taking to the water only 3 turned out for the last race . We were one of them and miraculously the wind strength increased and we had by far the best sail of the day . Unfortunately the O.O.D set the course for light winds with only 3 laps and it was all over in 20 minutes . Made the day though .

Wednesday 25th June 2014

"Wednesday 25th June 2014"

More light winds , but not as bad as this photo. Its Bassenthwaite and I think 1966 . It was a good Wednesday night sail , a light breeze but it was steady and we completed the 4 laps which were set . As a rule the races are under an hour , but tonight it was 1 hr 6 min as we started the last lap . It was a risky decision from the O.O.D but with plenty of daylight left and no sign of the wind dropping it was a good call . Get it wrong and you will get some serious earache . I was sailing with Jo-Anna and the course had 3 beats and 3 spinnaker legs so we got in some serious spinnaker practice, and tried to improve our roll tacks. I have to admit I am ready for a bit of a blow now , but checking the weather forecast , I could be in for a wait .

           Would you like to race this round the world single handed ? 

  She Did !!!

Wednesday 11th June Sunday 15th June , Sunday 22nd June

"Wednesday 11th June Sunday 15th June , Sunday 22nd June "

Summer has arrived , and Hollingworth Lake is a wonderful place when the sun shines . Membership of HLSC costs £225 per annum for joint membership , that's an amazing £112.50 each add the £63.00 boat fee and for less than 50p a day you have 365 days a year access to the lake and clubhouse plus storage for your boat , organized racing with rescue cover , Sunday , Wednesday and Friday evening during the season , and beer at £2.00 a pint . A no brainer !! To put this in perspective in you were not a member it would  cost £15.00 a day to launch a boat on the lake , plus you would have to transport it there and store it somewhere. Not always , but the warm sunny weather brings light winds , and this was the case on Wednesday 11th June Sunday 15th June and  Sunday 22nd June . At midday on Sunday 15th there was no wind and racing was postponed for an hour . By 2 o'clock a small breeze picked up and we managed to get two races in . Light winds bring a new challenge , its a knack , some people have it . I tend to rely on luck . Never give up , 30 boat lengths behind , you get the wind first and you can catch and pass your competitors very quickly . There is no better feeling than creeping up un noticed , gliding past and waiting for the comments from your becalmed rival . Prepare to get the same treatment at some point in the race , but do enjoy it while it lasts . Light winds are a good opportunity to practice roll tacks , spinnaker gybes and catching up on the gossip with your crew ( if you have one ). I prefer a stronger breeze , as very light winds can be boring and frustrating as well as challenging, but you have the scenery to enjoy and none of the scary moments that strong winds can bring , so ideal for novices .  

Sunday 4th May and Wednesday May 7th 2014

                                                             

Sunday 4th May and Wednesday May 7th  2014

I sailed 3 races Sunday and 1 on Wednesday race with Karen . Sunday was light winds and the Wednesday was very gusty . Our results were 1st 2nd 2nd and  1st . Very impressive if you ignore the fact that only two boats sailed(in our class) and when we were 1st the boat behind retired on both occasions . So cynically you could say we were last in every race .However I am having none of it we got 2 firsts and 2 seconds . We turned up, started on time, followed the rules, completed the course ,and  finished . The results in the club will show 2 firsts and 2 seconds , so there! I have to say this is an ongoing joke in the boat , it started when I sailed with James my son . He insisted we had come last while I bragged we had won .Had a good tip off Karen as well , when writing down the course stagger the marks left and right .

                                                    F

                                                                       D

                                                                       E

                                                                       A

                                                                       B

Wednesday 30th April 2014

Wednesday 30th April 2014 


Light winds for the first time this season . I was sailing with Nicola who has also only started sailing recently but is picking it up quickly now. Tonight would be a good opportunity for spinnaker practice. To Nicola's surprise we were in the lead after the first mark . A couple of weeks ago I made a glib comment to  Adam saying it wasn't a disaster that we hadn't time to check the course as we could follow the other boats . Realizing this was poor advice I vowed to leave the club in plenty of time in future to allow us to set watches and take down the course . Luckily I had heeded my advice and we headed for the correct 2nd mark . Our lead didn't last long however , unfortunately not even to the next mark, but not to worry, the course had 3 spinnaker gybe's per lap so Nicola had plenty of chance to learn a new skill . With 2 marks to go the wind dropped off completely . After a short discussion we both agreed on the paddle and headed for home . A bit disappointing not to finish but we at least we had a good hour's sail .    

Sunday April 27th 2014

 Sunday April 27th 2014

 Had a good days sailing today . My crew was Jo-Anna who had only started sailing last season . There was a good breeze in the first race , we were both on deck and we concentrated on our upwind sailing . The boat seemed to be going well and we held our own against more experienced opposition . The GP has a large foresail and Jo-Anna has struggled uncleating the sail ready for a tack . It is more technique than strength so we practiced this and we managed some great tacks . In the 2nd race the wind got up considerably ,  we were subjected to a 10 minute squall with heavy rain . I was expecting Jo-Anna to want to retire , but no chance . WELL DONE Jo-Anna !! 

Wednesday April 23rd 2014

"Wednesday April 23rd 2014"

 I was back with Adam tonight and the capsize the previous Sunday had only served to increase his enthusiasm . There was a decent breeze but nothing like Sunday . On the agenda tonight  was flying the spinnaker. This was completely new for Adam so we went through the drill on shore first . The spinnaker is my favorite sail and once mastered by the crew is a very rewarding and enjoyable experience . It will take a few weeks to get the hang of but reaching in a strong wind with the spinnaker flying is exhilarating . There were only two GP's out but what a race ! Mind you John might not agree . We were a good 6 to 7 boat lengths behind when we reached the last mark G and the line was only 50 meters away . I don't know fully what happened but John's boat stalled and after a good tack we started to creep up on him. We were also heading to the favorable end of the line and won by a fraction . Happy days . They do say never give up especially in light fluky conditions