Newsletter 11 03 26
Published 15:00 on 11 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
As you may have seen, the cannons are back!
They have been beautifully restored by Martin Whittingham-Jones. They are currently under a boat cover either side of the mast, awaiting a grand unveiling.
Fun fact, the cannons are not actually 'cannons' they are Carronades. Martin has reflected this by constructing Carronades Carriages for them to sit on. Martin has provided a short history of the Club and the Carronades below.
A massive thanks to Tig and his Team from FC Hardware who came along in their HIAB Truck to transport them to the Club and lift them in position. I'd like to give a shout out to Chris who skillfully lifted them both over the glass and through the rigging of the mast!
Great numbers out sailing last weekend! Unfortunately, I didn't make it on the water on Sunday as the Fred's Party (Falcon Association) broke me.....well done Teri and Kate!!!
Chris
OUR GUNS REINSTALLED
It is perhaps appropriate that in this our 125th year we bring out of storage two large and old cannons.
They remind us of an extraordinary event in our club history. The completion in 1955 of the clubhouse we enjoy today.
Before that time our membership stood at a few hundred, and we operated out of a large shed and an old Crossville bus. It was not long after the end of World War II. The country was still adjusting in many ways , employment was uncertain and finance also.
Thus it was a brave and farsighted decision to go ahead and build what was then ,and still is, a striking design.
The new clubhouse soon became the place to be and membership increased steadily until in the 90s when it peaked at 1250. Also the superior facilities were able to cater for the great expansion in dinghy sailing in the 50s 60s and 70s. We had Fleets of cadets, fireflies and GPs, so large that we had to split our evening racing into two divisions for each class. Fleets of 20 fireflies and even more GPs were the norm. The vital apres race social was well catered for in our spacious rooms.
Leading up to 1955 the committee debated long and hard and struggled to make its mind up as to what to do. The old guard only wished to refurbish the existing building, and they were in the majority . The younger members recently returned from active service were forward thinking.
It was two successive Commodores who had the vision and strength of personality to force the issue and get the agreement to build the structure which has so contributed to the success we are today.
Donald Smith and Reginald Cross
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In 1957 the two commodores were returning from a trip to Holland when their plane approaching Manchester airport crashed and all on board were killed.
Our two guns were presented to the club by their employers in memorial and stood outside until they were put into storage when the new patio was expanded. Today they have been refurbished and remounted and will again stand in front of the club.
Martin Whittingham-Jones
Sailing and Club Calendar - What's on this week
Radio Sailing Thursday 12 March, 14:00
Thursday Talks & Tunes - Live Protest with Tony Marston & David Taylor Thursday 12 March, 19:30 - 21:00
Falcon Meeting Thursday 12 March, 19:30 - 22:00
Illusion Friday 13 March, 14:00
Training Saturday 14 March, 10:00 - 13:00
Six Nations - SUPER SATURDAY! Saturday 14 March, 14:00 - 22:00
The Lash (organisers: Liverpool/Manchester Uni) Saturday 14 - 15 March
The Christie Cup Wednesday 18 March, 12:00 - 17:00
Gentlemen's Lunch Wednesday, 12:00 - 14:30
News & Notices
From the yard... Weather Warning
There are some big winds in the forecast for the rest of the week. Please make sure your boat is securely tied down and your covers are fastened properly.
Thursday Talk - Tomorrow - Protest!
Everyone welcome.
Team Racing - The Big Lash - 14/15 March
This weekend Manchester and Liverpool Universities are holding their annual team racing event at WKSC. We are keeping our fingers crossed for clement weather and we are expecting 24 university teams so please make them welcome.
Get your tickets for the Start of Season Sailing Bash - Saturday 21st March
Tickets behind the bar. See poster below in Events.
Radio Sailing News
Last Thursday we restarted our 2026 season. The day started as clear and sunny but quite suddenly turned cool.
With winds from the east south-east water was smooth and a course parallel to the lake wall was set.
Seven boats turned out and it was good to see Keith Roberts back from a long layoff. There are a number of regular sailors unavailable all of which bodes well for the future
We aim to start at 2 PM on Thursdays and if anyone is interested please come down and talk to us before the start you will be very welcome.
We normally run 8 races quickly back to back and these usually take up to an hour and 1/2 of intense action.
We continue to have the use of a club rib to set courses and act as a safety boat and we have an automated voice starting system.
For anyone contemplating dinghy racing , watching radio sailing can show in miniature all the starting tactics and course management required for full size competition.
Also these little boats require very careful sail trim again a reflection of full-size practice.
Please come and see us on Thursdays.
Martin Whittingham-Jones
Six Nations - This Saturday - Super Saturday
Safeguarding
This month children and adults are being asked their opinions as part of a public consultation being launched by the UK government, looking at how best to keep children safe online.
The new consultation lasting three months will gather opinions from young people and adults on how best to keep children safe online across social media, AI chatbots and gaming platforms. Whilst we await their decisions it is useful to discuss internet safety with all our junior members and how to stay safe online.
Top-Ten-Tips-To-Stay-Safe-Online-Poster
The Galley
Seafood Shack 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
COMING UP (SAILING):
Saturday & Sunday 14 & 15/3/26 The Big Lash: University Team Racing
Saturday & Sunday 21 & 22/3/26 The Start of Season Championships: All dinghies & Falcons
——————————————————
TIDAL SPECIAL Saturday & Sunday 7 & 8/3/26
Foggy conditions but with an adequate SE to S breeze persisted throughout the week-end for the Tidal Special racing.
18 x boats competed on Saturday which included 4 x Fireflies from Liverpool University, 2 x International Canoes one Finn and one Mirror - all joining the regular gang of hardened winter sailors.
Getting read to launch for last Saturdays Tidal Special (pic Tony Marston)
Glyn Purnell (ILCA7) and Steve Ferrington (Solo) were equal on 9 points at the end of the days racing but Glyn won the last race which decided it in his favour overall. Steve had to be satisfied with 2nd overall and a win in the first race. Ioannis Koutsokeras (ILCA7) was just one point behind in 3rd place overall. All very close. Jean-Louis Simons (Finn) won the second race - not bad for the first time out this year. Also worthy of mention Eve Bromilow and Tom Underwood (420) who are improving their racing consistency all the time - 5th overall
It was Dan Skinner (IC) who was back on form winning the first and last race in Sundays racing. His 3rd in the second race gave him a total score of 5 points and the overall win. Steve Ferrington (solo) had two 2nds and a 5th; total of 9 points and 2nd overall. Tony Clark came 3rd overall with two 4ths and a 3rd; total 11 points. Glyn Purnell, Saturdays winner was sailing with a radial rig - not enough horse power in the slightly lighter winds on Sunday - 5th overall. Gavin Roberts also suffered in the lighter winds dropping out of the top 5.
Last Saturdays Tidal Special (pic Alan Jenkins)
Jean-Louis Simons approaching the windward mark in last Saturdays Tidal Special (Pic Chris Gatenby)
Dan Skinner winner of Sundays Tidal Special seen here on Saturday without the fog (pic Henk Thomas)
420 sailed by juniors Eve Bromilow and Tom Underwood in the Tidal Special (pic Henk Thomas)
Firefly 14 raced by Jack Dunne and Jacob Holmes (Liverpool Uni) in the Tidal Special last Saturday (pic Chris Gatenby)
The two days racing were not part of a series. Each days racing of three races were independent helping those who could not guarantee to sail on both days. There were no discards. That changes in the Start of Season Championships (Sat & Sun 21 & 22/3/26) where two discards will apply but still 3 x races per day.
THE BIG LASH Team Racing Event will be worth watching this week-end. Some 24 northern university teams will battle it out on the lake in forecasted breezy conditions …. lets hope it isnt too breezy. Liverpool and Manchester Uni. sailors have been practicing a plenty …. I wonder how much practice all the other teams have had.
WEATHER WARNING:
There a Met Office forecast of gusts up to 40 knots tomorrow Thursday at 13:00.
Please check your boat is well secured.
COMING UP: Thursday night talks:
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 not to be missed.
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 !!
WKSC PY List 2026
I have posted the WKSC PY List 2026 on the notice board in the club and it should be on the website under Sailing - you do need to log in to the website to see it.
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 havent been removed yet.
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.
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
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. |
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Last updated 15:22 on 11 March 2026