Sailing Matters 23rd September 2026
SAILING MATTERS 230926
This time of the year provides some new opportunities. As we move into autumn the focus changes to weekend sailing, either on the tide or on the lake. But to take advantage of the good tides on Saturdays we do need some folk to volunteer to be race officer. I repeat my request again from last week (see lower down) for volunteers to be race officers.
Just looking at some of the new opportunities coming up:
420 Training
The WKSC 420s are inviting north western based 420 sailors to join the club for 6 x training sessions - mostly on the estuary with significant coaches including our National Champions, Neil Marsden and David Bromilow. The 420 Hav-a-go session was cancelled because of high winds last Saturday but I am sure that if the 420 interests you, there will be more opportunities to 'have a go'. Contact Steve or Sally Bromilow or me.
Mirror Dinghy Sailing
If you are just getting going in your sailing adventure then perhaps Mirror Dinghy Sailing is for you (light, easily sailed, affordable... a proper boat. This is good time of the year to talk to the Mirror sailors at WKSC and plan for next season as well as just coming for a sail and trying one out. The Mirror Dinghy Thursday evening working group is also about to start up again.
The Introduction to Racing Course is still open for sign ups this coming Saturday but at a new time of 12:30. There is a good weather forecast for Saturday so we will take the opportunity to go afloat on the lake at 10:00.
Adult Training
Theres course for Adults starting up this coming Saturday morning which I think still has some places available. Look at the club website or email training@wksc.org.uk
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Saturday 26/9/26 Tidal Sailing
At the time of writing 'Sailing Matters' we haven't got a race officer for Saturday. Please check WKSC H'cap Dinghies WhatsAp group for any update to this situation.
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Normal sailing programme on Sunday 27/9/26 for tidal racing for Autumn 5 & 6
HW12:01 8.97Mtrs
Start 10:15 for St/Hi/Fa 10:30 Fast Hcap
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Catching up on Sailing this last week:
The Laser Training last Saturday morning, conducted by Gareth Owen attracted at least 12 x Lasers despite very breezy conditions - frequently gusting up to 25 knots. A number of races were run which demanded good boat handling. Gareth patrolled the course! = encouraging attention to lay lines and accurate mark rounding. As an observer from some distance away, sitting in my vehicle, I was impressed with the standard of boat handling. Yes there were a few capsizes but not many and the starts were tidy = nearly every boat on the line at the start.
Last Sunday for Autumn Lake 5&6 ….. The RO postponed for half an hour…. it was very breezy but the forecast was for the wind to ease down and it did. But it was probably the earlier forecast for too much wind that deterred folk from even coming down to the club. Ioannis Koutsokeras (ILCA6) and Stuart DHenin braved the elements for what turned out to be more of some useful practise than a race but they completed the courses for the two races.
Thats it for this week.
Tony Marston
Sailing Secretary
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P.S. Repeated from last week -
RACE OFFICERS REQUIRED !
You may have noticed a number of Special Tidal Events or Tidal Sailing in the Handbook / Sailing Programme.
All these events are utilising useful tides on a Saturday for sailing in the autumn / winter months.
I am down as RO for all of them. I am also running the Introduction to Racing Course. I cant do both at the same time.
Any of the days where the tide is greater that 8.7M could be run from the boat park which makes life easier for the RO and reduces the resources to make it work.
If you want to have a shot at being an RO for some or any of these events please come and talk to me. If we can pull a group of ROs together to run these races it could be a good series.
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AND
HELP NEEDED!! re Rescue Boat Crews
In order to keep everybody sailing safely, the club provides safety boats for all sailing on the tide and many events on the lake. However, we are finding it increasingly difficult to find crews for these safety boats. There have been a number of instances recently where races have almost been cancelled because of lack of people to help with safety boats.
People in safety boats dont need a lot of experience. There are usually two people and the second person is there to learn. You dont need PB2 or any particular qualifications to crew although if you are keen to progress your Rib driving skills then the club will help you with further training.
Can you help?
In addition, there are a lot of club members who do have sufficient skills and qualifications to drive a safety boat who perhaps have moved onto other things. If this is you, and you could help say once a month then that would be brilliant!
We are not looking for a weekly commitment necessarily any help would be extremely welcome.
If you would like more information or if you think you could offer some time either crewing or driving safety boats then please get in touch with Sam Riley (email captain@wksc.org.uk).
Note: PB2 Courses 28-29/11/26 & 23&24/1/27 ….
Book online WKSC WEBSITE with Password /TRAINING / Power boat course
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Last updated 23:47 on 23 September 2026