Newsletter 29 10 25

Blown off again - last weekend ! The easier winds were mid week. Liz Potter got out for a sail but that wasn't quite as easy as she would have liked…Shes written up the experience for our edification !  (see below).

INTRODUCTION TO RACING GROUP
There's one thing about this unpredictable weather - it keeps one guessing whether any sailing will be possible at the week-end until the last minute and if it isn't then to be organised with some useful media for the enthusiastic Introduction to Racing group. Mike De St Paer certainly added to last Saturdays proceedings by demonstrating, with the aid of his DF65 Radio boat and an electric fan, airflow over sails and the required sheeting to ensure effective trim. And yes I am slowly getting organised with the media just in case !

Mike De St Paer discussing airflow with the Introduction to Racing Group

THE WKSC MIRROR PROJECT - Thurday evening working group
The Thursday evening Mirror working group had their first session in the shed last Thursday evening. The plan is that this will be a regular session from 17:30 to 19:00 every Thursday . One can be easily distracted in the sheds by other projects and by various individuals but do you know what … its all an absolute joy !!! On this first session all the necessary fittings that needed to be removed were removed and by Sunday this first Mirror (Cmon Eileen) in the update process moved a step closer to her final coats of varnish. 

Thanks to Derek L., Neill G., Mike C. and Sheena D.

Mirror Project Thursday evening shed work - with distractions !

COMING UP...
Thursday 17:30-19:00 Mirror Project Working Group in MPB Shed.
Saturday 10:00 Start for the Introduction to Racing Group.  
Coming up this Sunday, races 3 and 4 of the Frostbite series - start for the fast handicap 11:00 . Lets hope we get lucky with the weather.

ADVENTURES ON THE ESTUARY by Liz Potter

 In the absence of much racing news this week, let me tell you a tale of the unexpected when I went for a sail on the tide in my DZero Zippy last Friday.

The wind had been howling all week, so I was keen to get out on the tide on the only day that wasnt blowing over 20 knots. It was sunny and moderate winds from the west. I met Chris Gatenby and the lifeboat crew before I launched and we discussed my sailing plan, which was to head towards Dee SC with the incoming tide and return after about an hour. I showed him my PLB1 safety beacon which I carry in my life jacket pocket. The launching was a bit bumpy in the waves which had built up in the previous days storms, but it was a lovely reach in the sunshine and Zippy was humming a happy tune.

After ten minutes, I noticed a huge mushroom shaped cloud on the Welsh shore over Mostyn. Hum, I thought. That looks wet and might be very squally. Plan A would have been to dash back home, but the waves crashing onto the concrete slip were not enticing, especially if Mushroom produced 30 knots of wind to help me onto the lee shore. Plan B was to outrun the Mushroom and let it pass behind me. I sheeted in and started to surf the waves to get out of its way. By the time I passed Dee SC, Mushroom had doubled in size and had landed on the sea, still heading my way. I looked at the rocky shore and decided to create Plan C. This was to bolt for Sheldrakes, where I could land in the reeds/mud and get out and face the beast if needed. The wind was still steady as I entered the Shelldrakes channel. Wherever I went, my wind indicator pointed at Mushroom. It was coming for me! Once I had passed the moored boats, the channel became very narrow, so I fired up Plan D. This was to get out of the nook Id got into and brazen my way through Mushroom towards sunny West Kirby on the horizon. I turned around, quite a skill in the narrow channel, and disturbed a flock of 100 shell duck on the seaward marsh, who arose, screeching at me and the approaching storm. No sooner had I turned, the wind shifted to the North West, meaning I had to tack out of the small channel against the tide whilst dodging the moored boats. At least it took my mind off the Mushroom. When I looked up again, I was in it. The temperature dropped to about 6 degrees and a few spots of drizzle fell on me. The wind stayed a steady 10 knots from the North and the sky turned a foggy orange. After a few minutes, the sun came out, the wind reverted to Westerly and I escaped on my way home.

 It was a very strange experience and it was good to have a safety beacon, someone who knew where Id gone plus a collection of emergency plans. What I didnt know was that Ben Shoebridge had seen me go out and was running a safety course at the club. He had prepared a RIB and had clocked the Mushroom and its mates further out over Point of Ayr. He was pleased to see me round the corner off Caldy on my way home and stood down the emergency service. A heartfelt thank you Ben, it could have turned out otherwise.

Tony Martson

Sailing Secretary

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