Newsletter 18 06 25

Family matters, never mind 'Sailing Matters' had me batting down the motorways to Cornwall - last Saturday returning yesterday - so I have relied on various spies to keep me informed on SAILING MATTERS  for this week's report and I'm very grateful to them for all of it.
And its good news - lots of it. I know, I know ... it should be good news - its summer after all and heating up nicely but with this climate change business you can't rely upon anything these days. Taking every opportunity to sail is the only way and that's not always easy as you will see.

The Week in Review

That windy spell reported on last week continued into this week 'in review', stopping the Classic Boat Challenge, GP's, Lightning's and the Junior Team Racing from going ahead but the Dinghy Tidal Sailing on Sunday happened  (thanks to RO Ian Maclean) just without the tidal component i.e. it shifted on to the lake where it became more acceptable to all. (Pics by Alan Jenkins). Better that way than 'clinging to the wreckage' out on the estuary ! The Junior Team Racing - coached (Thursday) became an indoor session in the training room usefully conducted by Hollie Wright.

As mentioned previously, solely relying on the forecast is not always the answer when determining whether to sail or not. The 'Tidal Classes Cruise' in the sailing programme for last week was threatened by a high wind forecast but our adventurous past Commodore Jean-Louis Simons with much experience of our waters, set forth in a Star with crew Chi Leung and Wei-Sum (Monday Nighters) for a pleasant cruise about the estuary (see pic by Wei-Sum). Some sitting out required as you can see but otherwise blue skies and smiling faces.

Tidal Class Cruising with JLS pic Wei-Sum

Dinghy tidal sailing but not as we know it pic Alan Jenkins

Tom Underwood Tidal Lake Racing Sunday pic Alan Jenkins

Tidal Racing Sunday  HILBRES

Falcons back at WKSC on Sunday after RMYC Regatta

Then there was the slightly amusing Wednesday evening handicap racing. The big north westerly sea breeze exerting itself during the day suddenly fell away when competitors got on the water for the 19:00 start. Mart and Cath Hartley (RO's) knew what was going on though. So they waited patiently for it to fill in from a different direction as the sea breeze died. The new breeze came in with a whallop knocking over the unwary!  I,of course, with my now well seasoned eight year old crew 'Oliver', went on to yet another unopposed victory in the slow handicap fleet. This is about to come an abrupt end as we are threatened by another Mirror joining the slow handicap fleet this evening crewed by none other than Oliver's younger brother 'Rory' and his  grandmother Sheena. More on this growing threat next week.  Suffice to say this new team is considerably lighter than Oliver and me.

Winding the clock back a little further, Saturday was the Royal Mersey YC Regatta. Six Falcons trailered across the peninsula to compete in brisk conditions but were back in time to race in Sunday's tidal racing along with the Hilbres. (Pics by Alan Jenkins)

Falcons competing at RMYC Regatta pic Alan Jenkins

Tricky launching and recovering at RMYC

Last night's Solo, Laser and Illusion racing saw the biggest turnout of the year/season so far - 32 x boats. Great Stuff.
RO Dan Skinner in collaboration with competitors managed to set a good start line and two reasonable beats notwithstanding the SW breeze blowing straight across the lake. (see pics by Dan Skinner and Alan Jenkins).

Record Laser numbers Tue 170625 pic Dan Skinner

Busy at the windward mark Tuesday night Lasers by Alan Jenkins

After race analysis Tuesday night Lasers by Alan Jenkins

A good start line by RO Dan Skinner pic Alan Jenkins

A two sided beat despite SW wind pic Dan Skinner

Please check out all the results on the website.

EVENTS COMING UP:

Commodore's Cruise
There's been some confusion concerning the Commodore's Cruise. It's in the Sailing Programme for the 5th July but its going to happen this Saturday 21st June, weather permitting. HW 07:28 8.23 Mtrs Keep your eye on the various whatsapp groups for further information.

Round Hilbre Race - Friday 27/6/25  HW13:09 8.69 Mtrs SI's will be available in time. This is a club event no entry fee !
WEST KIRBY SC REGATTA 28/6/25  
DEE SC REGATTA 29/6/25
Both regattas are identical - organised by the same people, run by the same people on the same patch of water for nearly everybody*
The joy of having three days racing (weather permitting) is unusual on the Dee Estuary and should be something for all WKSC and DSC sailors to look forward to. But the regatta is something more than that. Its a celebration of our club and its place in the community. That's the theme of this year's regatta. There will be a community fair going on in the shed ('Summer Pavilion') with stalls from many different organisations from across the Wirral.... something different. Check out the posters for when food is available starting with bacon butties at 10:00.

The 'Regatta' includes the Illusion Regatta which will happen on the lake on Friday 20/6/25 14:00 Start, the Junior Regatta:Friday night 27/6/25 and hopefully * some sailing whereby those not involved in racing can HAVE-A-GO on the lake on Saturday afternoon. This is yet to be organised - please watch the whatsapp groups and the club noticeboard for further information. Capable volunteers required as ever. 

Watch out for  a special additional newsletter next week giving more details regarding the Regatts. 

Still with 'Upcoming Events'  but not at WKSC :
2025 North Region Youth and Junior Championships at Ullswater Sat & Sun 21&22 /6/25.
8 of our juniors are going to this popular event. WKSC juniors have been competing for many years; the events includes section for 'Rookie' sailors who can use club boats, a 'Regatta' section and so on... very inclusive... very good ....BUT THEY'LL ALL BE BACK FOR OUR REGATTA THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY !!

Once again I've run out of time this week.    

Tony Marston  Sailing Secretary  

See above for details

Hilbre Cocktail Party - This Saturday - Saturday 21st June