Newsletter 02 07 25

Question - What had the following in common on Monday 30th June 2025; an International Canoe, a West Kirby 16ft Star and an International Finn?

Answer: All three boats took advantage of a beautiful day with a pleasant force 2 breeze and an afternoon tide, to go for an enjoyable sail. Such conditions have been a rarity of late.

Let's start with the REGATTAS : Saturday blown off - Sunday - nearly becalmed ... well  not quite.
Back a week, the wind was predominantly high and racing was suffering, more on that later. Friday (27/6/25) evening's Junior Regatta had to be postponed because of high winds. Fortunately Sam Sandow was able to run the Junior Regattas on Sunday morning and pleasingly, there were enough junior sailors to complete two races for Optimists and Fevas. All the results are up on the web site and the pics feature the winners. 

West Kirby Sailing Club Regatta - Saturday 28th. 

At 09:50 the wind measured a steady 18 knots and quickly moved up to more than 20. The decision to postpone was inevitable.
Climate change has become a reality and planning for this situation has become a necessity... bacon butties and other activities were the order of the day. Our 'community club' welcomed many visitors, lots of families, visiting the 'summer pavilion' which had more than 20 stalls showing and selling local products and a big table of sailing kit. It looked like many folk found a good bargain. The BBQ got going and enjoyed steady business right through to closing time. Was that it? No Sailing for WKSC Regatta? You will recall we had had the Illusion Regatta a week Friday back (reported on last week) and the Junior Regatta rescheduled from Friday evening succeeded on Sunday morning and then ....

WKSC Regatta postponement

Over 20 Community stalls

Dee Sailing Club Regatta - Sunday 29th

The wind relented at last by Sunday morning but then no wind ! The forecast was for a northerly 5 knot breeze at 12 noon. Boats launched and with a very light easterly made their way to the start area whereupon the wind died ! Jon Worthington, DSC Commodore and RO for the tidal classes got the racing started whilst I was leading the dinghy fleet to where I thought I could see some breeze darkening the water. With 20 minutes to High Water the northerly breeze thankfully filled in and the two races for both the tidal fleet and the dinghies were successfully executed just before we ran out of water.

Dee SC generously allowed WKSC to count the first race of their regatta towards West Kirby SC's Regatta and so when we gathered at Dee SC afterwards for an excellent buffet and liquid refreshment we were able to enjoy two prize givings... outside in the sunshine, on the lawn at the top of cliff overlooking our beloved Dee Estuary.

Great to see 13 Falcons and a 21 x boat handicap dinghy fleet racing including husband and wife team celebrating both their birthdays on the same day competing in the regatta. Happy Birthday Mike & Anne.

Thank you
The pictures (by Alan Jenkins unless otherwise stated) tell their own story but mention is essential to those who made it all happen:  
Sunday morning's Junior Regatta - RO and organiser: Sam Sandow. West Kirby SC & Dee SC Race Officers: Jon Worthington and Tony Marston, Committee Boat teams: Tidal - Allen Gregory and Mark Gatenby.  Dinghies: Sam Sandow and Stephen Bromilow. Rescue boat teams: Sam Riley, Ben Shoebridge, Lindsay Gatenby, Frank, Sue Lazer, Stephen & Charle Butler, Ross,  Bob Shepherd and Sarah Rees, Regatta Administration incl. results: Kay Eggleton, Regatta Posters: Emma Hall, Prizes: Sponsor: Tony Dangerfield & the Waverley, Liz Potter, Mike Hartley,  Rachel Price, Junior Regatta prize presenter: Patrick Bromilow, Community Stalls: Terri Atkinson & Emma Hall, Catering:& BBQ Helen Brown & Paul Weston, Candy Floss Ann. Rob & Team and the whole House Team with the additions of Jo Hayrynen and Jane Thomas:   If I have missed anyone or any group out - my humble apologies. 

There was just one boat that ventured out on windy Saturday: Neil Marsden and Olivia Creasy demonstrated great seamanship in their 420, sailing on the estuary for the duration of the tide.

Lake Racing
I mentioned the high winds effecting the numbers racing. For example Sunday (22/6/25) morning's handicap racing: 3 x Lasers, Tuesday (24/6/25): Solo, Illusion and Laser racing; a total of 17 boats (down from 30), Thursday (27/6/25) GP: Just one competitor (15 to 18 knots - well done Keiron! Only the Wednesday 25/6/25) handicap racing were lucky enough to enjoy middling wind strength: 14 x boats competing.

Last night's Solo, Laser and Illusion racing was conducted in Force 2 to 3 attracting 30 x boats. A good sight. The new raget id 40 x boats !

The Falcon Story and the Mirror Project will have to wait for another week. The editor in chief has called time.  

Tony Marston  Sailing Secretary