4th Oct  11th Oct  18th Oct  25th Oct  22 Oct  25th Oct  30 Nov  20 Dec  26 Dec

Adverse seas and bitter winds put paid to the New year's day sail at the club.
Boxing day however proved an interesting test of resolve. At any one time there were 5 crews in the icy waters due to the gusty conditions.
The safety boats were traditionally manned by the Deal and Walmer lifeboat crews, which was just as well given the weather.
In a packed and steamy clubhouse full of members, still stuffed with turkey, mulled wine was served along with minced pies. Nearly £200 was raised in trhe raffle for the RNLI with unwanted Christmas presents.
The chaotic sailing did produce a winner however in the shape of Chris Shelton in his Phantom, though everyone received a bottle hooch for taking part.
The sailing at the club now closes for the season till the 28th March. You should all have
received a christmas card with the winter activities list to keep people occupied in the mean time with quiz nights and Burns night etc. Happy New Year !!!!!

Brave are the few who took to the water on Sunday 20th December. It was deep snow still, ice a brown sea, sub-zero temps and a strange gusty stinging NW which did decrease.

This was the last of the winter series and only the second to be completed though with 26 boats overall. The last back in halcyon warm sun with swallows still plucking insects from the air.

Winners were Richard White crewing with Martyn Styles and the Rear commodore Rick Clemence in a RS400. Second was Chris Stubbs and Katy Restall in an RS400 who also won the 'Winternip' and the RS400 prize. Third was John Cass and Julia Blackman in a Buzz.

The ' Winter Chaser' for the slow handicap was a stunning victory against all odds and doubters
for John Sharvill and Tim Waite, mighty are the meek !

The winter 'Hotshot' for top cadet went to Seb Hansell, who else ?

The club house was packed for the prize giving and the canteen and bar crews were praised. Along with stalwarts John and Derek on the bridge.

See you all on Boxing Day for the 'Turkey Blaster' and a minced pie- last race of the year !

30 Nov

The prize giving banquet was a successful evening despite the biblical floods !. We also have a new commodore , Jeremy Blackman, with Rick Clemence officially becoming 'Rear Commodore'.

Sailing was again cancelled with ominous winds stirring in the channel not to mention showers. Still it gave revellers time to clear their heads from the night excesses and clear up the mess.   There was a constant litany of prizes for the Hansell family, much deserved. A new laser prize introduced by Jeremy, is a funky laser cut crystal and the first recipient is Stuart Bradbeer for  being top laser. Several new members were delighted to receive prizes, and Adam Heeley world cup winner was there with a coterie of athletic looking types.

Captain Birdbath, the mysterious figure who contacts empath Ed Styles, gave a resume of the gossip year. The trials and tribulations of Rosie Lord's class change figured highly !   Thanks to everyone who helped organise the evening from the decorations to pulling pints. Lets hope we can get the last three winter series completed.

22 Oct

Another cancelled race for the 22nd November due to SW gales and a vicious scoured beach has left cliff face of shingle which hopefully might shift naturally.  

Last weekend of the 15th however was a rare window in sun, and a dodgy looking SW actually decreased for a change. Steve and Judy Restall took the race in their Rs 200 but badly damaged their boat on landing a reminder of the sinister conditions of late. Richard White and Martyn Styles were 2nd and Ed and Sarah Styles 3rd. Nigel Cureton headed the singlehanders in his Contender beating a large field of lasers.  

At least it remains mild, mild enough for several swallows to be present. My personal best is 24th Dec though long way to go yet.  The AGM was well attended and the prize giving supper on the 28th should raise spirits and rid suits of moths !

25th Oct

A nasty SW gusting 20 knots at times ended the autumn series on Sunday the 25th October.
Most people chickened out, even the hardcore laser fleet were not seen, as a very low tide added to the threatening mix.

Flocks of late swallows heading north for some reason were a reminder of the mild air.
Only 3 boats started the slow handicap Sunday points with Chris Shelton ruling the waves, but there was a sterling performance from Stephen Comfort in his new dark blue wooden hulled streaker. Paul a Deb Harris were 3rd in a Laser 2000.

Dom and Jenny Johnson's RS800 whipped around the course barely on the water at times taking both races in some style. Nigel Cureton in his contender was 2nd in the Sunday and John Cass and Julia Blackman who hesitated in starting, snatched 2nd in the autumn points.

As a casual observer it all looked very exhausting even with the extra hour in bed !
Don't forget folks ! The winter series starts next week with one race at 11.
Gossip, well Annie Lindley was spotted at last and the red diamond on the beach mark has fallen off with corrosion in the rivets.
 

18th Oct

There were two races on Sunday the 18th October completed in light NW winds and warm sun.
The big showdown in the slow fleet with the 'top guns' resulted in a win twice for Frank Catt in his
Streaker, Chris Shelton relegated twice to 2nd in his Phantom and Ben Hills twice to 3rd in his laser.
Twenty six boats took part in the Autumn points which was the penultimate race and no races have been
abandoned !

The fast fleet was dominated in the Sunday points by the Buzz fleet with Simon Cory 1st crew unknown,
Ed and Sarah Styles 2nd and Chris Dutton and Martyn Wyman 3rd who seem to be having their best year to date.

The old style Hornet of Clinton Styles and Mark Styles won in style by blasting everyone out of the
water for the autumn points yet could only finish 6th in the first race.
Things of note and gossip ;

Oskar Bisset in his Tera seems to be still terrifying the rest of the fleet, though it was noted
his new boat had some battle scars.

Phil Halldron is back from his advanced sailing course in Corsica.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Abba night which had 45 people and great music including
numerous records hanging from the ceiling which was a hazard for the club treasurer !
The Rosie Lord Byte saga saw her struck from behind at the 2nd mark by a laser, a 5th finish out of 5
and an 8th place, wonders never cease.
It was good to see Patsie at the club.

11th Oct

Sunday the 11th of October was another blissful days sailing with both races completed.
Sunday points fast was won by Richard White and Martyn Styles in their RS400, Ed and Sarah Styles
2nd in a Buzz and Chris Dutton and Martin Wyman 3rd also in a Buzz.

The slow race was won by Chris Shelton in his Phantom who competed the maximum 4 laps, Nathan Brazil and Clare Roper 2nd in an RS200 followed closely by Seb and Jason Hansell in their RS200.
The Autumn points 4 winners were a repeat of the first race but John Cass and Julia Blackman were 2nd in their Buzz, Chris Stubbs and Dave Webb 3rd in an RS400.

Second to Chris Shelton was Alex Church in his Topper with Roger Philips and Toby Freeland 3rd in a laser 2000.

Some big questions remain however 1) Where was Simon Cory ? 2) Where was Frank Catt to challenge Chris Shelton ? 3) Where are the other Byte sailors ?
Does any of this matter? the resident dozy looking seal didn't seem to think so.
Gossip, yes Heike won her battle with Rosie Lord at the lower ends a reverse of last week though Rosie's old Topper in the hands of Megan parker also beat her, but hey Rosie has finished 4 out of 4.
In total 25 boats took part in what can only be described as a new autumn renaissance

4th Oct