Newsletter 29 04 26
Published 17:00 on 29 Apr 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.
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A View from the Bridge
Well, what a weekend! How do we top that?
22 Mirrors on the Lake, with people queuing to have a go.
The Gods of the Weather gave us 10 knots as the first boats launched whilst the sun shone down on the righteous! A massive WELL DONE to Tony Marston and his team who made this happen - Out of nowhere - by sheer hard work, grit and determination. After a good sail everyone moved up to the Club house for a BBQ and light refreshments. Honestly, words can't describe the feeling. Amazing!
Sunday was another great day raising money for the Wilson Trophy with the Champagne Breakfast. Laughter, bacon and eggs, good conversation and a little tipple to keep a glorious weekend going strong. Couple this to the capacity Friday nights we've had for the last few weeks, I think it is safe to say, the Season has started!
A last push for the Wilson Trophy.
We're still looking for some Volunteers on the Beach Party and to help around the Club and Yard doing a bit of general tidying.
You are cordially Invited to our 125th Anniversary Ball.
This spectacular event will be held at the Royal Liver Suites in the Liver Building, Liverpool Saturday 3rd October 2026
The tickets are £92.95 and are limited.
Tables of 10 - if you let us know who your ten are, it makes the table planning easier, and saves disappointment!
There will be live music, a 3 course meal with half a bottle of wine per person, a welcome drink, and a late Bar.
Hope to see you all there.
Please take note of Tony's Security message below in Sailing Matters.
Chris
Sailing and Club Calendar - What's on this week
W6 & W7 Fast Handicap Wednesday 29 April, 19:00
W6 & W7 Novice Handicap Wednesday 29 April, 19:03
W6 & W7 Slow Handicap Wednesday 29 April, 19:06
Radio Sailing Thursday 30 April, 14:00
W6 & W7 GP14 Thursday 30 April, 19:00
W6 & W7 Lightning Thursday 30 April, 19:03
May 2026
Illusion Friday 1 May, 14:00
W9 & W10 Optimist & Junior Handicap Friday 1 May, 18:00
W9 & W10 Mirror Friday 1 May, 18:03
JUBILEE PURSUIT RACE All Classes (T) Saturday 2 May
Spring 3 & 4 St/Hi/Fa Sunday 3 May, 10:45
Spring Tide 3 & 4 Fast Handicap (T) Sunday 3 May, 11:00
Spring Tide 3 & 4 Slow Handicap (T) Sunday 3 May, 11:03
Bank Holiday Tidal Special All Classes (T) Monday 4 May, 11:00
W8 & W9 Solo Tuesday 5 May, 19:00
W8 & W9 Laser Tuesday 5 May, 19:03
W8 & W9 Illusion Tuesday 5 May, 19:06
Gentlemen's Lunch Wednesday, 12:00 - 14:30
News & Notices
Safeguarding Update:
It was a privilege to be part of the Mirror Special Inaugural Event, last weekend. So many families, new members and juniors enjoying the sport and the weather! For any new members please note that if you have any questions safeguarding can be contacted at:
safeguarding @wksc.org.uk or see the information posters around the club.
On Monday evening the club hosted Smartphone Free Childhood www.smartphonefreechildhood.org, lots of discussion and information was shared between parents from local schools and it was a great opportunity to showcase our fantastic facilities and courses to potential new members.
Club Help
Do you have some spare time to help maintain our club?
We're looking for some members with decorating skills, joinery skills, happy to paint walls, fences etc. or just willing to join in and keep the clubhouse looking well maintained inside and out for years to come.
All materials will be supplied we just need a little help as and when there is a project to do.
Please contact Ross Capper on 07779 55 44 33.
Many thanks, I look forward to hearing from you.
Laser Vago Owner?
There is a Laser Vago in the club yard (see photos below) but we do not know who the owner is. If you are that person or know who is the owner please email boatstorage@wksc.org.uk to let us know Thank you Yard Manager
The Galley
Helen is serving a delicious menu this week - Click here for the menu
Sailing Matters
SAILING MATTERS 290426
COMING UP (SAILING):
Sat 2/5/26 The JUBILEE PURSUIT RACE (Tidal) HW12:08 8.63 Mtrs
Part of the Golden Series (Race 2 of 5)
Start for first class 11:00
See more detail later in this 'Sailing Matters' and watch out for SI's on the website, in WhatsAp Groups and at the club !
See handbook for all scheduled lake racing.
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Its a bumper bundle of Sailing Matters for this weeks newsletter. Thank you to all who have contributed, both narrative, pics and video.
Its strange looking back over the last week, my mind automatically focusses on Saturday when the weather was wonderful but before Saturday the weather was slowly recovering from a three week period of strong winds. Needless to say the strong winds have detracted from good sailing activity numbers. Such is life. BUT there's a couple of things to mention with respect to strong wind sailing:
First to Race Officers concerning lake racing. Your job is to run the race. Dont get into conversation with competitors on whether they want to race or not - that's entirely up to them. Set up to race and to start on time. If no one turns up then you can 'pack up and go home'!
Secondly to competitors: the lake is inherently safe - its an enclosed piece of water, relatively flat water even in strong winds, quite shallow. Yes it's possible to drown in the lake as it is in your bath at home. There are risks in going sailing. Its exciting in strong winds.
We, the club, are trying to always have a rib on the lake for safety purposes. This requires willing and capable volunteers to man the rib.
Racing will go ahead even if we cant man a rib. It is a sailors decision whether to sail or not. It is a parent or guardian's decision on whether a junior can sail in the prevailing conditions and wants to sail in those conditions.
Lastly we are incredibly lucky to have the lake - it enables even the inexperienced of us to have a go in strong winds.
Lets go back to the start of the week in review :
The Tuesday 21/4/26 Solo, Laser and Illusion evenings racing, reported on last week, suffered lumps of wind from the east regularly flattening some of the 7 or 8 ILCA7s and 4 ILCA 6s competing.
Wednesday 22/4/26 Evening Handicap Racing. Just three boats braved the elements - 15+kts. Liz Potter (D-Zero ) won both races from ILCA7s sailed by Steve Jardine and Stuart Dawson. The ILCAs swapped places for the second race.
At least the wind had swung to the south east.
Thursday 23/4/26 GP & Lightning - At last the wind moderated to a 5 to 7 kts SE. In the first race for the GPs Kieron Inman and Paul Jenkins won from Robert Thompson and Alan Jenkins with Paul Brereton Ian Johnson third. The second race John Elliot and Nigel Currie took third place with first and second places as per the first race.
In the Lightnings Judith Carter won both races with Amy Watkins taking two seconds.
Friday 24/4/26 Optimist, Junior Handicap and Mirror
At last the wind moderated during the afternoon. The Junior sailors in Optimists, a Feva and three Mirrors got to enjoy two races in a light breeze from the north west. Matt Geddes reports on the Optimists below. Phoebe Gatenby and Beatrice Parkey-Pharoah were sailing the Feva. In the Mirrors, where on Friday nights, only the Juniors get the points in a complicated system Ill explain later (!) Harry Goodwin-Marston was in the pole position crewing for his Dad, Amber Price came second helming with her Dad crewing and another Mirror without a junior in it came third.
Now then…. onto the Optimists from Matt Geddes: Big high five to all the Oppy hero's that turned out , beautiful evening and 2 great little races run.
Well done to all who raced Mollie, Sophie, Alice, Daisy and Theo. Congratulations to Mollie for her win in race 1 and Theo for his win in race 2!
Excellent to see Penny and Charlie out on the water, not feeling quite ready to race but getting more and more comfortable in their boats.
Special congratulations to Daisy as the first winner of the Oppy Helm of the Week trophy. Awarded for her tenacity and shear determination over the last couple of weeks in strong winds and a brilliant effort in this week's first races of the season with a well deserved podium (3rd) in race 2! Well done Daisy. (Please remember to bring it back on Friday so we can crown a new weekly champion!)
Saturday 25/4/26 The GRAND MIRROR DAY
What a day ! Wall to wall sunshine and a light breeze. It could not have been more perfect weather to meet the objective of getting as many Mirror dinghies on the lake and to give as many folk (mostly juniors) a sail in a Mirror.
If you remember we had set ourselves a target of 15 x boats. We had 22 out on the lake! OK - we had a little help from our friends from Dee SC, but even taking the DSC boats into account (5 x of them - well done to DSC for such great support), we still achieved our target.
22 Mirrors at the GRAND MIRROR DAY
pic by Tony Clark
The Vice Commodore kindly ran an impromptu race. Angus and Isla Armstrong demonstrated how a modern FRP, bermudan rigged Mirror could perform, winning easily, Paul Anderson (DSC) with at least two juniors in another Mirror of similar ilk to the Armstrong Mirror, came second with TOG Marston close behind in third in a wooden, gunter rigged Mirror. The short race was a demonstration of the fact that racing can be fun and brings everyone together.
Getting ready to start in the Impromptu Race on the
GRSND MIRROR DAY
drone pic by Andy Porter
An Impromptu Race on the GRAND MIRROR DAY
Pic Alan Jenkins
The Armstrongs Modern Mirror winning the Impromptu Race on the GRAND MIRROR DAY
pic by Alan Jenkins
Some junior sailors sailing their Mirrors in the Impromptu Race on the GRAND MIRROR DAY
pic by Alan Jenkins
The Start of the Impromptu Race on the GRAND MIRROR DAY
pic by Jean Meakin
After the start of the Impromptu Race on the GRAND MIRROR DAY
pic by Jean Meakin
Mirrors at the jetty on GRAND MIRROR DAY
drone pic by Andy Porter
Lets go Mirror sailing on GRAND MIRROR DAY
drone pic by Andy Porter
Early on GRAND MIRROR DAY as Mirrors gather.
drone video by Steve Bromilow
The Mirror gathering had started around 10:00 for rigging and chatting. There were plenty of things to sort on many of the Mirrors which had just come our from their winter hibernation. Onto the lake for a sail about in a light sea breeze that had filled in. By the time the race was concluded - around 14:00 sailors, followers and helpers were ready for the excellent BBQ provided by Helen Brown and team and some liquid refreshment.
Suitably refreshed Jonathan Atkinson spoke kind words of encouragement for the Mirror project / fleet / sailors /helpers and me and I responded explaining or attempting to put some words together off the top of my head about the Mirror Project. Now Ive had a little more time I can add to what I said to give a more complete picture.
Its easy to bask in the glory of one good day but there has been a significant team effort over time to get this far and theres a lot further to go yet before a really satisfactory position can be reached.
The groups I mentioned on Saturday are: the existing Mirror owners at WKSC many of whom have gone along with or joined in the project to enhance the fleet and become more active. From this group there has been a Mirror Working Group that have met on Thursday evenings to work on three Mirrors in the shed throughout the winter.
It must be said that progress has been relatively slow. But hang on a minute this was not an experienced bunch of boat builders, or an enthusiastic owner working on his/her boat. No - this was just a bunch of enthusiasts headed up by a manic IC sailor ! What could go wrong ?! In the corner was a bloke with experience who quietly and without being asked, corrected the work done by the group once theyd gone home. In this way three very different Mirror dinghies exited the sheds more ready to go sailing than theyd gone in.
Before the Mirror Working Group there have been sponsors/donators who had donated Mirror dinghies for the project. They had for various reasons kept a Mirror dinghy for some time, long after they or their family had stopped sailing it, perhaps for sentimental reasons; maybe their father had built it, or they had given it to their Sea Cadets or Scout group but it had landed back in their possession. Our Project Objectives had struck a chord with them and they were comfortable handing their Mirror over to us. Two of us have travelled about the country collecting Mirror dinghies. Some Mirrors have been bought with hard earned cash. Another party has loaned a large van to collect Mirrors which had no trolleys or trailers.
The WKSC General Committee understood the objectives of the project and approved the use of three spaces in the shed for the Mirror Group to work on boats.
There has been a volunteer fund raiser who has tapped into the generosity of members. Funds raised have helped to pay for paint, some necessary fittings, storage costs and other essentials to keep the process of acquiring Mirrors, sorting them out ready for a new owner.
House (The House Committee) have interpreted my ramblings about the need for sustenance for sailors and we are progressing together on achievable goals without causing financial problems to the club. The Boat Yard Manager has arranged for many spaces (over 25 so far) for Mirrors.
Saturday was exceptional and we can all be pleased with the outcome. The overall objective remains that through the Mirror dinghy recruitment of new family members and hopefully many junior members can be achieved whilst providing anyone, of whatever age, a way of becoming an active sailor at WKSC within an achievable budget. The enthusiasm and mutual encouragement of all concerned makes the whole project viable.
A BIG THANK YOU to everybody for making Saturday's GRAND MIRROR DAY happen and for making it such an enjoyable day.
Sunday 26/4/26 Lake Handicap Racing. Back to breezy conditions. Many white horses indicated the top end of a F4 or even a force 5 in the frequent gusts blowing from the SE. Such conditions put many sailors off. Consequently there were three ILCAs battling it out round the course and one intrepid junior in a PICO. The forecast was for the wind to moderate. It didnt ! True it was up and down but there was more up and therefore there ere plenty of downs - capsizes. Steve Jardine emerged the winner in the first race after Andy Bell went for a swim. Ioannis Koutsokeras who was a little late for the start finished third. In the second race Ioannis won with Steve second after few too many capsizes. Andy retired .
Peter Davenport our intrepid PICO sailor is rapidly improving his sailing skills. He finished the course despite a capsizing medley over by the outer wall. Peter discovered how shallow it is north of buoy 8. That was in R1.
Two club Fevas sailed by four Uni sailors were planing about, that was an indication of the wind strength !
Tuesday 28/4/26 Solo, Laser and Illusion. I will report on last nights racing in next weeks Sailing Matters
Light conditions for the President and Peter Williams yesterday evening.
Pic Alan Jenkins
Away from home Liz Potter reports on the D-Zero Northerns at Ullswater over the weekend:
ZIPPY ZERO at the ULLSWATER Northerns last weekend
The D-Zero Northern Championships at the Ullswater Daffodil Regatta by Zippy Zero 333.
Hello folks, its Zippy the DZero reporting back from my first trip of the year. We got to Ullswater on Friday in warm sunshine and no wind. Many of the 100 boats due at the multi-fleet Daffodil Regatta were arriving, so the dinghy park was a melee of hills, masts, covers and trailers. I was rigged quickly and taken off for a drift on the glassy waters, probably as a pre-season bath (plenty of ducks), but more to get Owner Liz used to crouching in an uncomfortable manner in my bow area.
The practise was timely, as next morning was equally windless, but me and my 11 D-Zero mates set off to race anyway. 3 races were scheduled and we started 5. The first was a half hour drift around a squarish course, though there was some confusion from race leader Nigel Austin about which yellow buoy came after the windward mark. The fleet set off like a row of lemmings toward a small yellow can in a remote bay, which was very pretty and also windless. Having found mark 2, and finished the first round, (in 7th place) we started Race 2, which became a super driftathon, ending in chaos at the windward mark, which had sprouted 3 boat lengths of floating line to windward. Interesting tide on Ullswater Lake, I thought. The rope snared several boats, which were desperately trying to lift underwater furniture to free themselves, before being sucked into the buoy. The abandoned flag came to seperate the 5-boat rugby scrum.
Race 2 was My race. A little zephyr appeared and led me to the top mark in 3rd. I then sneaked through to lead on the run, and led the race for the next lap, but got pipped by 2 boats on the finish. Then another start, where we drifted to mark one, which moved 100 m left, then 100 right before my eyes. These tides, I thought again. The race had been abandoned after the start, but nobody had mentioned it. The rib continued to relay the course and we set off for Race 3, as the fickle wind came and went. Another 7th for me, but the results were spread out through the fleet and I was in 4th place by the end of the first day.
Day 2 was drizzly and cloudy with no wind. They sent us out anyway and we drifted around for over an hour before they sent us ashore for a rest! 20 mins later the forecasted 5-8 knots filled in and we enjoyed two good races, both of which I won, giving me the runners up prize on the podium at the end of the day. The event was won by Wil Hitchman, a previous Northern and Inlands D-Zero champion and third was Nigel Austin from Cransley SC.
Liz Potter and Zippy Zero at Ullswater last weekend
Light airs for the D-Zero Northerns at Ullswater
Pic Paul Hargreaves
Our Liz clutching the second prize at the D-Zero Northerns
IMPORTANT SECURITY MESSAGE
Its up to all of us to keep the club secure. This includes not only the club house but also the sheds and the boat yard.
PLEASE do not prop the front or back door open. Membership cards and wrist bands enable members to open the doors.
PLEASE do close the roller shutters and the door of the shed if you find yourself last out of the shed or you even think there's no one else around.
PLEASE if you have moved the small tractor out of the shed either move it back in or hand that responsibility to someone else who accepts the responsibility of moving it back in.
PLEASE on leaving the boat yard if there's no one else around close and lock the gate behind you.
PLEASE Don't worry that you have locked someone in the shed or the yard. They can get out.
If a member of the public asks if they can use the toilet - if you regard them as being of urgent need then let them use the toilet nearest the door - the toilet with the sign for the disabled. Stand near by and ensure that they exit the club afterwards.
Thank you.
The JUBILEE PURSUIT RACE on Saturday 2/5/26 by its very nature requires the Handicapping Officer (me) to provide the start time of each class competing to the Race Officer. In order to do this I need to know which classes intend to compete !
PLEASE send an email to results@wksc.org.uk giving you name, class of boat and sail number.
If you havent competed in a pursuit race before here is some more information:
- The race is conducted over 90 minutes for the slowest class.
- The PY handicap for each class is used to calculate the start time for each class so that the slowest class starts first and the fastest class in the race starts last.
- If all the classes sailed to their handicap they would all arrive at the finish line at the same time !! (and chaos would ensue for poor old Race Officer!).
- Each class competing is allocated a start number and a start time.
- The Race Officer will display the allocated class start number for the next class start when he takes down the previous number and sounds a horn.
- Always check the Sailing Instructions for the detail of how the race is to be finished. The principle is that the Race Officer will capture all the boats positions at 90 minutes from the start. That is no easy task and why its important for you to read the SIs for the detail.
- We have had some extremely close finishes with 5 x different classes very close at 90 minutes. Equally it can be an easy winner well clear of everybody else.
It is great FUN but like any form of handicap race its only fair if you win !! There are many variables. My top tip is make sure you start on time at your allocated time. A sloppy start can cost you the race.
The forecast is for light winds.
GOOD LUCK - Dont forget to enter via results@wksc.org.uk
Tony Marston
Sailing Secretary
Training
New Activity - Let's Launch
Click here to book your Training Courses
PB2 Course
Events
Menai Strait Regattas 27th July - 8th August 2026
WKSC 125th Anniversary Away Ball - Saturday 3rd October 2026
You must be logged in to purchase tickets but you are welcome to book for non-members.
Menu
Starter - Pork Terrine, with Pineapple Salsa, Slaw & Pork Scratching, Cajun Style Dressing.
Main - Slow Cooked Featherblade of Beef, Celeriac Puree, Fondant Potato, Green Beans, Red Wine Jus.
Dessert - Sticky Toffee Pudding, Butterscotch Sauce, Clotted Cream.
Vegetarian and other dietary requirements available.
Other Information
| Boats for Sale & Wanted |
Boats for sale - Click here to view all Boats for Sale on the website. |
| If you would like something added to the newsletter please contact newsletter@wksc.org.uk |
Last updated 17:36 on 29 April 2026