Stewartby Sailing

New Racing Mark Flags & Suggest Our New Class Flags

Karl Pountney — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:04:30 +0000

Over the next two weeks (Sundays 5th & 12th February) the current red racing mark flags will be replaced with new high visibility flags in Rescue Orange, Fluroescent Yellow and Pink. This follows successful trials on Boxing Day and in January and very positive feedback from racing members. No changes to the Sailing Instructions as required marks are indicated by ‘coloured flags’, however we’ve put together a simple visual guide which you can see by clicking the ‘continue’ link below.

Also, from Sunday April 1st we plan to start the summer series with new class flags. The current ‘K’ flag is looking a bit tatty and we’ve noticed over the years that race officers will sometimes mistake it for the 1st Subsitute pennant for a General Recall. We need 3 class flags: Handicap, Catamaran Fleet and Reserve Flag (for Open Meeting Start). Again, read the full article for more details but suggestions should be sent by email to racing@swsc.org.uk

New Racing Marks

Suggest a Our New Class Flags

Please take into account the following when suggesting the flags:

Take a look at the Hampshire Flag page for Maritime Signal Flags for inspiration.
You cannot choose any flags currently mentioned in the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing
(A, C, H, I, L, M, N, P, S, X, Y, Z, AP, 1st Sub)
Avoid flags (such as K) which could be confused with the recall flags X and 1st Sub.
Consider both letter flags, numeral pennants and NATO number flags (rectangular), plus any other flags.
Think creatively. We need flags for the Handicap Fleet, Catamaran Fleet and one for when Open meeting classes join in with Sunday Racing. Pick by colour, shape or because the flag has some meaning.
The Gin Pennant, Pilot Jack and Church Pennant are reserved and have special meaning so won’t make ideal class flags.
Send your suggestions to racing@swsc.org.uk

Indoor Sailing Simulator – Wednesday 15th February

Ruth Ivory — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:09:39 +0000

We have arranged to have the sailing simulator on site on Wednesday 15th February, this event has proved very popular over the last couple of years, and we will once again be providing a prize for fastest indoor sailor. For those of you that have not attended this event before details of the simulator can be found at www.indoorsailing.com. The bar and galley will be open, so if you are wanting to sail in the warm and dry come along and give it a go the simulator will be on-site from 6pm onwards I look forward to seeing you there.

Icicle Series Week 3 Results

Karl Pountney — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:45:33 +0000

The forecast lived up to its promised strong and gusty conditions. 7 brave crews took to the water in racing which at times was just a matter of survival. The Sprint 15s of Robert Finch, Jon Finch and Robin Hall revelled in the conditions claiming 1, 2 & 3 in the first race. After lunch much harsher conditions resulted in only half the fleet heading out. Everyone was struggling and there was little chance of the racing continuing after lap 4 and wisely race officer Ruth Ivory called everyone back in.

Many thanks to Mark Norman (OOD), Ruth Ivory (RO), Tim Browning (ARO) with Nick Jones (SB Cpt) and Chris Lawson in the support boat.

Results have now been published. Next week, January Working Party plus a visit from our Virtual Rigger, our mobile chandlery.

Notice of Sailing Section Annual General Meeting 2012

Karl Pountney — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:04:04 +0000

The sailing section AGM will be held in the Clubhouse on Sunday 26th February 2012 at 3pm and follows the January working party earlier in the day.

Any nominations for election to the committee should be made in writing to the section Secretary, and include the name and signatures of the proposer and seconder to arrive no later than February 12th 2012.

Any proposals for the ATM should be made in writing to the sailing section Secretary, and include the name and signatures of the proposer and seconder, again, no later than the 12th February 2012.

Sailing Secretary Contact Details:

Steve Ivory, Secretary Sailing Section,
Stewartby Water Sports Club,
28, Salisbury Road,
Flitwick, MK45 1UD

Icicle Series Week 2 Results

Karl Pountney — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:57:26 +0000

With sub-zero temperatures first thing in the morning, the Icicle Series lived-up to its name. Fewer members braved the cold and unpromising conditions, but as the wind filled in 10 minutes before the start of race 1, the remainder of the day was very pleasant indeed. The results from today are now available.

Thanks goes to the duty crew: Graziano Spano, Robin Hall, Chris Janes and Harry Janes. Please check the duty list if you are able to help in the coming weeks.

Icicle Series Duties

Karl Pountney — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:27:47 +0000

The 2012 Icicle Series Duties list is now available on this website.

As always, racing through the winter months may only take place is those taking part volunteer to give up one weekend per series to provide support boat cover or to run races. If you’re planning to get back to racing in March when it’s a tad warmer, you may like to consider getting your duty done in January or February, otherwise you’re results won’t count. To reserve your place please contact duty@swsc.org.uk by email.

Sign-up for E-mail Updates

Karl Pountney — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:00:56 +0000

Around 150 members already receive updated by email every time the club website is updated. If you’ve not signed-up yet then simply click on the Subscribe by Email link in the top-right corner of this page. Just provide your name and email address and click the Website Newsfeed box at the bottom. You can also subscribe to Duty updates at the same time if you wish.

Icicle Series Week 1 Results

Karl Pountney — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:16:27 +0000

A decent turn-out and relatively mild weather meant a really good start to this year’s Icicle Series. The results are now available.

Thanks goes to Karl Pountney, Brian Finch, Robert Finch, Marcus Finch and Jonathan Finch for providing the race management and support cover. Volunteers are required for the rest of the series, and in particular we need a Race Officer for week 2 (Sunday 15th January). Please email duty@swsc.org.uk if you can help.

Vacancy: Duty Manager for 2012 Season

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:43:56 +0000

The committee are currently looking for a volunteer member to manage the section duty list during 2012. The responsibilities include maintaining the duty list, updating the online version and notifying members of their upcoming duty. The role includes acting as a point of contact for members with issues or questions relating to the duty. You will need to fairly familiar with Spreadsheets and email and you can expect to spend approximately 1 hours per week preparing letters, emails and making updates to the list.

Over the next 3 months the club will be asking members to complete and return duty request forms and during this time the current duty manager (Karl Pountney) will assist new duty manager put the new duty list together and make preparations for the new season. After which, the duty manager will report to the committee and will liaise frequently with the Racing Coordinator with regards to events and the membership secretary to ensure new members are allocated duties promptly. As Duty Manager you won’t be required to join the section committee.

If you are interested in the role please contact the Vice Commodore by January 26th.

2011 Boxing Day Hangover Race Results

Karl Pountney — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:24:04 +0000

The results for this year’s Boxing Day Hanover Race have not been published in the results section. Congratulations to Simon Miles (1st), Jon Finch (2nd) and Harry Janes (3rd) who managed to bag the best of the festive prizes. This year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of Chris Janes, Nick Jones, Steve Ivory and Karl Pountney who capably managed the race management and rescue (shame about the course). Ashore soup and mince-pies were prepared by Mark Norman and Ruth Ivory.

Thanks to everyone who took part, those who came to watch and those who we’ve not seen at the club for a while. The next hangover race is 26th December 2012.

Remember, Icicle Series racing takes place on Sunday 8th January. Race Management and support boat cover for the first week is courtesy of the Sprint 15 fleet. We’ll be looking for volunteers for the remaining 8 weeks of the series so please contact duty@swsc.org.uk to get your name down.