Newsletter 04 03 26
Published 11:00 on 4 Mar 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. ..
A View from the Bridge
Spring has sprung! The weather has turned, the winter has gone (we hope!?!)!
Well, we have all been busy, the wooden wonders in the far shed are all undergoing their final coats after their winters deep renovation. The yard has been cleaned by a gang of amazing volunteers. The training boats have all been fettled by the fabulous Training and Team Racing Team, and the Team Racing gang are continuing to bring the Fireflies into the light for another season.
We have been in discussion with the Council over the Lake and Lake Licences. It is fair to say that we had a very good conversation with the Leader and the CEO. These conversations were organised by Adam Valentine and headed up by the Vice Commodore. They are on side and want to help us get the Lake back in order. As you can well know, Wirral Borough Council is not flush with money, so they weren't in a position to promise us the earth, but we are definitely moving in the right direction to make the Lake sustainable and available for everyone.
We have again got permission to run the Lake Licences for our members from West Kirby Sailing Club, so we are in the final strokes of sorting that out - more to follow. But needless to say Kay and Jill have been working tirelessly on this (is there anything they don't work tirelessly on??). We, quite genuinely, look forward to working with the Council on the Lake in the future.
Anyway, got to dash now, have a good week!
Chris.
Sailing and Club Calendar - What's on this week
Radio Sailing Thursday 5 March, 14:00
Thursday Talks & Tunes - Tony & Mike Thursday 5 March, 19:30 - 21:00
Illusion Friday 6 March, 14:00
Six Nations Friday 6 March, 20:00 - 22:00
Star Committee Meeting Saturday 7 March, 10:00 - 12:30
Training Saturday 7 March, 10:00 - 13:00
Tidal Special All Dinghy Classes (T) Saturday 7 March, 12:00
Six Nations Saturday 7 March, 14:00 - 20:00
Fred's Party Saturday 7 March, 19:00 - 23:30
Tidal Special All Dinghy Classes (T) Sunday 8 March, 12:30
Gentlemen's Lunch Wednesday 28 January, 12:00 - 14:30
News & Notices
2026 Club Handbooks
The 2026 Handbooks have arrived. If you have not already received your copy by hand, handbooks for Wirral members are in the club foyer sorted alphabetically by area. Please collect your book as soon as possible and if you can deliver to your neighbours as well, that would be a great help.
All books for 'Outport' and 'Non Wirral' members will be posted this week.
If you need extra books they will be available from the bar or the office next week
Any queries please speak to Jill Marsh in the office.
Thursday Talk - This Thursday
Everyone welcome.
Six Nations - This Saturday - 14:10 & 16:40
FOOD - Burgers, hot dogs and chips will be available for the two rugby matches on Saturday.
Fred's Party - Saturday 7th March - This Saturday
Everyone welcome.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding have been busy training new staff and instructors and although the full club safeguarding policy can be found on the website Safeguarding : West Kirby Sailing Club we have produced a short guide for all members. This guide is intended to provide essential safeguarding information, making it easier for everyone to understand their responsibilities and the clubs procedures.
Safeguarding children, young people and adults a short guide for club members
The Galley
Helen will be 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
Please note:
The 2026 Handbooks have arrived from the printers. If you have not already received your copy by hand, (Kay is, as I write this, peddling like a wild thing, around the Wirral delivering handbooks - its amazing the lengths future Mirror sailors will go to get fit ready for the season ahead), handbooks for Wirral members (not already delivered) are in the foyer sorted alphabetically by area. Handbooks for non Wirral and outport members will be posted.
COMING UP (SAILING):
Friday 6th March 17:30 - 19:00 Mirror Group Working
- Yes Friday night this week because of the Thursday night talk by Mike Hartley and Tony Marston.
Saturday 7/3/26 HW13.08 8.76 Mtrs Start 12:00 Tidal Special
Sunday 8/3/26 HW 13.42 8.4 Mtrs Start 12:30 All dinghy classes Tidal Special
Details as usual will be at the last minute depending on weather. Just turn up and race allowing enough time to rig, change and attend a briefing.
Week-end 14th&15th March 'THE BIG LASH' University Team Racing. No other lake sailing.
Week-end 21st & 22nd March HW 12:11 9.58 Mtrs & HW12:50 9.45 Mtrs Tidal Start of Season Championships for All dinghies.
Week-end 27th & 28th March RYA/UKTRA Team Racing Championships. No other lake sailing.
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INTRODUCTION TO RACING 2025/6
The last of the Introduction to Racing 2025/6 sessions was held last Saturday morning. The weather turned out to be better than expected. Individual coaching was possible for those attending. Three short races were held. Thanks to Mike De St Paer, Steve Ferrington and Graeme McWhannel who have given stalwart support to the sessions from the start in September.
As we move into the season the Novice Handicap Racing is scheduled for Wednesday evenings and on Sundays, when there's no tidal racing. This provides a good opportunity for those new to racing to have a go with a lower level of intimidation than normal. On course coaching for novice sailors and being part of a group all at a similar level is good fun and rewarding as sailing and racing skills develop. There is also plenty of scope for crewing for someone else too which further expands experience both on the lake and on the estuary.
For the junior sailors new to racing (and their Mums and Dads) Friday evenings are the obvious choice for getting going. I will write more about this next week but Optimist, Mirror and Junior Handicap racing there's lots to look forward to AND its not just racing…. there will be adventure cruises (not on Friday evenings) to Sally's Cottage and Hilbre Island and Flint Castle and there's more BUT you are on a need to know only basis and right now you dont need to know !!!
Pictures this week provided by Jean Meakin, Tony Marston, Alan Jenkins, Gavin Roberts and Owen Chambers.
The last session of Introduction to Racing 2025/6 provided 121 coaching.
EARLY SPRING LAKE SPECIAL Sunday 1st March
Three two lap races were what was on offer for last Sundays Lake Special. A fresh SSE breeze veering to SSW kept the RO busy changing the course for each race. There was a different winner for each race too. The first race went to Tony Clark (ILCA7), the second to Gavin Roberts (ILCA7) and the third to Stuart Dawson (ILCA6) but it was Tony who was the most consistent with 1,3,2 score to win overall. Gavin had one really bad tack in the last race when the wind piped up which took him out of the top three. Stuarts score of a 3,4,1 gave him overall second just 2 points behind Tony. Steve Ferrington (Solo) had a 5th to count from the first race in this no discard special three race series which with his 2nd and a 3rd gave him a third overall. A low cloud obscured our view of Wales in the third race and threatened to soak us all. Conveniently it only glanced by; it did come with more wind though making things a little more exciting for a while.
The low cloud obscuring Wales brought more wind and threatened a soaking.
The Lake Special last Sunday provided some exciting racing. Gav Roberts moment of glory in race 3.
Matt Melling demonstrating no rudder racing last Sunday.
Its Matt again - hes photogenic.
(continued) The Golden Series
The last in the Golden Series is the Round Hilbre Race and if the weather behaves, it can be the best of the lot.
Because there are two trophies for the series, one for the tidal classes and one for the dinghies, the Stars, Hilbres and Falcons finish through the line (committee boat to port and outer distance mark to starboard) on the way back from Hilbre. The dinghies, however, get an additional two legs, down to Sally's Cottage and back finishing going NW through the finishing line (committee boat to port, inner distance mark to starboard).
Of course wind and tide are major factors influencing competitors decision making for this race, more so for this race than for any other race in the Golden Series, in my opinion. Others may disagree !
It should be said that its rare that we get to sail all five races. There are no discards. There are prizes for each race.
Just a reminder of the races making up the Golden Series
- Presidents Race Sat 18/4/26
- Jubilee Pursuit Race Sat 2/5/26
- Mostyn Race Sat 16/5/26
- Long Distance Race Sat 13/6/26
- Round Hilbre Race Fri 17/7/26
COMING UP: Thursday night talks:
Thursday 5/3/26
Mike Hartley (Rear Commodore Sailing) and Tony Marston (Sailing Secretary) are talking on the subject of:
WHY WE GO RACING .
This is full exposé on what motivates us to race - but that's not what you think ! There's the now and then aspect to both speakers and to probably all the audience, juniors and adults alike (should anyone attend !).
This will be a fully interactive, 3D talk, developed by AI and NS. This is not a talk to be missed. For a kick off you get two for the price of one. The price does not reflect the true value of this once in a lifetime performance.
How much does it cost? There is no cost, no price - its priceless ! The Safeguarding Team are well aware of the risks.
Thursday 12/3/26
David Taylor and Tony Marston are going to hold a
LIVE PROTEST HEARING
featuring a protest by Tony Clark (Laser) against Liz Potter (D-Zero)
If you want to see why and how a protest is dealt with in the sport of sailing then this session is a must.
ALSO
after a short break a second protest that did not actually happen, will be heard because the incident happened and it will provide some good points to consider, discuss and enjoy…..entertainment for all concerned !!
MIRRORS
News of two more Mirrors coming into the WKSC fleet.
MIRRORS
Welcoming Gavin Roberts and Owen Chambers to the fleet enjoying some sunshine on Tuesday 030326
MIRRORS : Owen Chambers sailing his newly acquired Mirror previously owned by Adam Thomas, Tony Marston, Jean-Louis Simons and Joe Barnes
MIRRORS: Do you get that feeling that WKSC is about to be overrun with Mirrors ? You should !
Well done Owen Chambers and daughters May and Elsie, out for their first sail Tuesday 030326.
(You said that last week Tony.
I know but these are another two ! - But I cant give you any details yet - Exciting though isnt it)
Mirror Group Working party is on Friday night this week (6/3/26) 17:30 to 19:00.
THE WKSC FALCON FLEET
'Harrier' Falcon 37 skipper Richard Robinson and 'Windhover' Falcon 43 skipper Howard Williams are rejoining the active racing fleet this season. Very good news. Good luck to both skippers and their crews.
WKSC PY List 2026
I have been working on the PY's for this season following the updates from Great Lakes Handicapping and the RYA. I thought I would have it completed and published this week but its going to be next week now… all being well.
BOAT PARKING & LAKE LICENCE FEES for 2026/7 have been posted on the club website, invoices will be sent out later in the month or early April. Please note that the lake licence fee has not increased from last year. Also the 2025/6 fees haven't been removed yet from the website.
Tony Marston
Sailing Secretary.
Training
Click here to book your Training Courses
Events
Thursday Talks and Tunes
Just turn up on the night, grab a drink, take a seat and enjoy the evening. The event starts at 7.30pm.
Fred's Party - Saturday 7th March
Everyone welcome.
Start of the Season Bash - Saturday 21st March
Everyone welcome.
Helen's Sunday Roast - Sunday 22nd March
Star Party - Saturday 11th April
WLYC 24 Hour Race 2026
What is the 24hr race The Southport 24 Hour Race, hosted by West Lancashire Yacht Club (WLYC), is a prestigious, annual dinghy sailing endurance event on Southport's Marine Lake, combining intense team racing with a massive community festival, attracting clubs from across the UK for a non-stop test of skill, strategy, and stamina, featuring boat classes like Enterprise, GP14, and Firefly. Last won by WKSC in 1968
Race Format Duration: The race starts at 12 noon on Saturday and finishes at 12 noon on Sunday, running continuously through the night. Location: The race takes place on the enclosed waters of the Southport Marine Lake, which contains two islands. Teams: It is a team event, with most entries consisting of around 18 sailors per boat. The race is a test of teamwork and endurance. Also needed is good shore-based team to support and encourage the sailors. Crew Changes: Teams operate in shifts (typically one to two hours) and can only change crew in a specially dedicated docking area. Competitors are not permitted to sail for more than one team during the event. Scoring: The winner is the boat that covers the greatest distance (most laps) in the 24 hours. Lap times are tracked, and the relative performance of each lap is calculated based on the average duration of all laps completed within specific time intervals. Boats: The race is sailed in classic dinghies, with recent events including the Enterprise, GP14, and Firefly classes. Categories: Various categories exist, including 'Unrestricted', 'Masters', 'Ladies', and 'University' teams, which compete for special prizes. The event, hosted by West Lancashire Yacht Club (WLYC), is a major social gathering in the UK dinghy sailing calendar, with loud music and large number of spectators. The event is set up on the Friday afternoon and normally kicks off with a party in the evening.
Check out the link to last years videos of the event.
Please join the WhatsApp group to express your interest. Our ultimate goal would be to have two teams, one for taking it seriously for which helms and crews are needed, the other one would be a more relaxed team to get as many people out to experience at least one lap of the lake and to feel the buzz of the event with no pressure.
We need you
Helms
Crews
Shore Team
Help fundraising
Sponsors
No age limitations Juniors welcome (especially for light winds!!)
Snooker
Fixtures
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 - 3.3 Meter Air V Floor Inflatable Boat and 6HP Parsun Outboard £1200 PRICE REDUCED to £995Click here to view all Boats for Sale on the website. |
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Last updated 11:59 on 4 March 2026