Newsletter 14 01 26
Published 17:00 on 14 Jan 2026
Welcome to WKSC Newsletter
A round up of Club news this week... including sailing, training and upcoming social events. Also included are links to current boats for sale.
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Sailing and Club Calendar - What's on this week
Radio Sailing Thursday 15 January, 14:00
Star Meeting Thursday 15 January, 19:00 - 21:00
Illusion Friday 16 January, 14:00
Training Saturday 17 January, 10:00 - 13:00
Arctic Series 5 & 6 All Dinghy Classes (L) Sunday 18 January, 11:00
Gentlemen's Lunch Wednesday 21 January, 12:30 - 14:00
News & Notices
Boat Ownership
If you have bought or sold a boat this year but have not advised WKSC please email boatstorage@wksc.org.uk so that we can update the register. Also, if you think the current 2025 handbook shows incorrect information regarding your boat(s) please let us know asap.
Thank you
Thursday Talks and Tunes - Next Talk Thursday 22nd January
Helen Hughes is giving a talk about her experience of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leg she started on August 31 2025, on the 70' sailboat CV26 Washington DC.
The Galley
Seafood Shack is providing a delicious menu this week - Click here for the menu
Sailing Matters
SAVE THE DATE REMINDER:
FRI 17/7/26 ROUND HILBRE RACE
SAT 18/7/26 DEE SC REGATTA
SUN 19/7/26 WEST KIRBY SC REGATTA
MON 10/8/26 - FRI 14/8/26 WKSC SAILING EXTRAVAGANZA WEEK
COMING UP:
Wednesday Evening 17:30-19:00 Mirror Working Group - WKSC Shed
SUNDAY 18/1/26 Arctic Series Races 6 & 6 Start 11:00 All classes.
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You would expect there to be times in the middle of winter for there to be simply no sailing to mention especially with the likes of storm Goretti passing through. Sure enough last Sundays racing was postponed to another day because of hostile conditions. Yet an all - good old British weather, ever changeable and still enough WKSC members with indefatigable spirit to pop out for a quick sail on the lake as soon as the wind dropped. Well done Owen Chambers (Laser) and Steve Fleming (International Canoe)…. I clocked you as I walked round the lake on Monday.
The Mirror Project
Tomorrow evening the Mirror working group meet up to get going again in the new year with the new season not that far away. The target remains to get 15 x Mirrors sailing at the beginning of the season. Its fine to have a great target and to have fine ambitions but there's a need for reality check from time to time.
Mirror dinghies have been donated to the project, some have been bought for the project, some Mirrors were already owned by members and already sailing/racing at WKSC. In total there are 35 x Mirror dinghies on my project list. Many of the 35 are not at the club and are not on the clubs records nor will they be at the beginning of the season as they require work to be done on them before they become sailable and saleable. Eventually, though, it is hoped that more of them will be bought and sailed at WKSC. Some of the Mirrors are ready to sail. Its a mixed bag.
As a Mirror dinghy becomes owned by a member AND is ready to sail then, if kept at the club, it becomes liable for a boat parking fee and a lake license.
One objective of the project is to ensure that Mirrors coming through the project achieve a standard of being race ready. The top spec for being race ready includes a spinnaker with all its necessary kit. Otherwise Mirrors can of course be race ready but without a spinnaker. Other requirements include a launching trolley and a good cover.
Sailboat Racing is a WKSC community activity. Sailing together is enormous fun, naturally competitive, encourages the sharing of knowledge and experience. Racing is essential in developing sailing skills. You know that saying You cant teach an old dog new tricks…. well that doesn't apply! We are human beings, not dogs we have an unlimited capacity for learning which continues throughout our lives especially when it comes to sailing. Racing accelerates the learning process. It stimulates activity both physically and mentally. What other sport has a competitive age range like sailing?
The Mirror dinghy is unique in being economical to acquire, of a size and weight to be easily handled afloat and ashore, is comfortable for single handed or double handed sailing yet enough of a challenge to inspire many, many people to have a go at sailing.
Back to that reality check…. there has been progress just not as much as any of would have liked. Of the three Mirrors in the shed at the moment, one has been painted and varnished….. some varnishing still to be done but almost ready for fitting out. Another didn't need painting, has had the spinnaker kit fitted (well 95% of it), the third boat has been stripped of its old paint, some repair work was needed and has been completed - the painting process has begun. Tomorrow night we will start on spars on foils - sanding, revarnishing and refitting where necessary. Each Mirror will have a folder with a check list of work done or to be done. I've sent off for the folders! Every little helps!!
Away from the WKSC sheds Bob Jarvis and Bob Mosedale are amongst the Mirror gang who are working on Mirrors in their own sheds/garages. The foot is on the accelerator!
Mirror Dinghy White Tip in the care of Bob Jarvis … part of the Mirror Gang.
Another Mirror being worked on by Bob Mosedale away from WKSC.
Winter Boat maintenance
Elsewhere in the sheds work is ongoing with winter maintenance on Hilbres, Stars, Falcons and a Cruiser plus as reported previously on interesting rebuilding and refurbishment on Fireflies and a Classic Finn. I'll bring news and pics as they progress.
Who's that working on a Star over there?
Tony Marston
Sailing Secretary
Training
New VHF course available now.
Click here to book your Training Courses
Events
Thursday Talks and Tunes - next talk 22nd January
Helen Hughes is giving a talk about her experience of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leg she started on August 31 2025, on the 70' sailboat CV26 Washington DC.
She was part of the crew on Leg 1 consisting of 2 courses:
1. Portsmouth to Puerto Sherry, Spain
2. Puerto Sharry Spain to Punta Del Este, Uruguay
Everyone is welcome. Just turn up on the night, grab a drink, take a seat and enjoy the evening. The talk starts at 7.30pm.
Helen's Sunday Roast - Sunday 25th January - Book at the Bar
Snooker
Fixtures
21 Jan Hoylake SC - Away
25 Feb Wallasey YC - Away
04 Mar Dee SC -Home
18 Mar Hoylake SC Home (Billiards)
Wednesday Winter Quiz - Every Wednesday 8pm
Absolutely everyone is welcome. Get a new team together or turn up and join one. The quiz is a great way to stay social over the winter months.
Other Information
| Boats for Sale |
Boats for sale - Click here to view all Boats for Sale on the website. |
| If you would like something added to the newsletter please contact newsletter@wksc.org.uk |
Last updated 19:13 on 14 January 2026