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Newsletter 06 05 26

Published 17:00 on 6 May 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

A Note of Thanks

We should all be heartened by the actions of Club Members who responded so quickly and so positively when a kayaker collapsed on the Slipway on Saturday. The defibrillator was deployed immediately, CPR was started by members of the public and by our own members, a screen was rigged to protect the gentlemans dignity, and 999 was called with clear, accurate information. One member also contacted me directly, which allowed me to have the RNLI paged — this in turn brought the Coastguard into motion.

Because the incident was on the slipway rather than afloat, the 999 Team did not initially think to alert the RNLI. Thanks to that extra call, we had no fewer than eight Casualty Carers, a nurse, and a police officer on scene within eight minutes — crucial, as those delivering CPR were beginning to tire.

We were later debriefed by the NWAS Advanced Paramedic, who said: I wish I had the same response at every cardiac arrest I attend. You were providing good quality CPR, which allowed us to set up our equipment and give him the best possible chance.

The pilot of the Air Ambulance also passed on his thanks. He appreciated the hand flare used to pinpoint the location and show ground level wind, and he noted how clear it was from the air that the landing site was under control, with the public held back by members in high vis jackets. This allowed him to land immediately without having to circle to clear the area.

It is hard to take comfort when the outcome was so very sad. The gentleman passed away later that evening, surrounded by his family. His family have since returned to the Club to express their sincere appreciation for everything that was done to try to save him.

Rest in Peace.

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View From the Bridge

A busy week on the water, with sailing in full swing and preparations for the Wilson well underway. The Jubilee Pursuit Race was won by our Rear Commodore (S), Mike Hartley. A 40degree wind shift baffled many, but what a race — boats with similar PYs bunched together, fighting it out right to the line.

WILSON TROPHY — 2 sleeps to go!

The boats are out of the shed, the yard is cleared, final fettling is underway, and — remarkably — everyone has a bed. Huge thanks to Kathryn, and to all of you legends who stepped in to host. Portacabins arrive tonight. Once again, it all comes together… but it isn't magic. It happens because a small but mighty group of volunteers make it happen.

I'll say it again: if you want to help, reach out to me, to Jill in the Office, to Mike Hartley, Kay, JeanLouis, Ross, or anyone on GC. Their names and numbers are in the front of the Club Diary. We'll point you in the right direction.

It's brilliant to see so many new faces on the Beach Party (aka The Jons) and on the Start and Finish boats — and there's still space if you want to get involved.

If you've never seen the Wilson in full flow, come down and witness the extravaganza. Lets make this the event were world famous for: sailing, sportsmanship, professionalism, and hospitality.

Best Regards,

Chris

Sailing and Club Calendar - What's on this week

W8 & W9 Fast Handicap Wednesday 6 May, 19:00

W8 & W9 Novice Handicap Wednesday 6 May, 19:03

W8 & W9 Slow Handicap Wednesday 6 May, 19:06

Radio Sailing Thursday 7 May, 14:00

D1 & D2 GP14 Thursday 7 May, 19:00

W8 & W9 Lightning Thursday 7 May, 19:03

Wilson Trophy Friday 8 - Sunday 10 May

Monday Nights Adults First Course 2026 Monday 11 May, 18:30—20:30

Calday Grammar School Tuesday 12 May, 16:00—18:00

X1 & X2 Solo Tuesday 12 May, 19:00

X1 & X2 Laser Tuesday 12 May, 19:03

X1 & X2 Illusion Tuesday 12 May, 19:06

Gentlemen's Lunch Wednesday, 12:00 - 14:30

News & Notices

Team Racing Report

As I'm sure you know the 77th Wilson Trophy is this weekend and 34 of the best teams in the world will be arriving to race for the coveted trophy.

West Kirby Sailing Club has entered 2 teams:
West Kirby Hawks: Andy Cornah, Dom Johnson and Ben Field crewed by Fi Harrington, Sophia Johnson and Tom Foster. They got to the quarter finals last year but they will be fighting all the way to be victorious in 2026.
WKSC: Jamie Marston, Jonny Cross and George Colquitt crewed by Amber Price, Sophie Gatenby and Tom Underwood. This team gives our local juniors a huge opportunity to race against the best in the world with 3 very experienced helms.

Please come down and support them - there will be some familiar WKSC faces in other teams as well !

There is a small army of volunteers looking after the Fireflies - preparing them for the event, helping during the event and putting them away after the event. This is always a very social affair with continuous banter. If you want to help or simply enjoy the camaraderie whilst giving a hand, just come down - we will find you something to do.

Team Racing Gang

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.

The Galley

No Galley food this week as it is the Wilson weekend.

Sailing Matters

COMING UP (SAILING) :

FRI-SUN 8-10/5/26 THE WILSON TROPHY

SAT 16/5/26 THE MOSTYN RACE

SUN 17/5/26 Tidal Racing Spring Tide 5&6 & GP OPEN

SAT 23/5/26 MIRROR SPECIAL (addition to sailing programme)

SUN 24/5/26 Lake Racing Spring Lake 5&6

Mon 25/5/26 Billy Wilson Lake Pursuit Race30/5/26 - Spring Bank Holiday

SAT 30/5/26 PRESIDENTS RACE (change to sailing programme - instead of Coastal Dash)

All lake races as per Sailing Programme in handbook

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I am trying not to bore you in moaning about the weather but in reviewing the week just gone once again we lost another important tidal event to lack of wind : the Jubilee Pursuit Race (Sat 2/5/26); makes a change though from the recent period of strong winds. We might get to run it later in the season.

We are taking the opportunity to run the Presidents Race on Saturday 30/5/26 instead of the Coastal Dash.

Tuesday 28/4/26 Solo, Laser and Illusion

The results show the wind as SSE 1-18kts - that would have test your concentration !
4 x Solos ventured out for the first race which John Dixon won from Chris Goswell, but only 2 stayed out for the second race - the same two were first and second.

The ILCA7s Tony Clark won the first race, Warren Bidwell second and Lee Mathews third. Eleven boats racing. Only Lee was consistent in being in the top three, third again in the second race. John Ralph won and Gavin Roberts second. Again eleven Boats racing.

The ILCA6s had 7 x boats racing. Glyn Purnell had a win and a third, Steve Shallcroft had a win and a second and Alex Elliot had a second and a third.

Two Illusions raced; Peter Williams won the first race and Peter Bramley won the second race.

Wednesday 29/4/26 Handicap Racing

I cant find any results posted on the website. My diary tells me I didn't race as it was very windy with gusts over 30kts being recorded on the DSC weather station. Confusion ! Ive just found the results. 10-20 kts SSE for WKSC. Only three racing and only for one race. Who ordered this weather ? Liz Potter (D-Zero) won, Stuart Dawson ILCA6) second and Owen Chambers9ILCA6) third.

Thursday 30/4/26 GP and Lightning Racing

Just two GPs racing : Kieron Inman and Paul Jenkins won both races with Simon Harding and Paul Daniels second.

10-18 kts again which put off the Lightning sailors.

Friday 1/5/26 Optimist, Junior Handicap and Mirror

Very light winds. Two Mirrors got two races in but the Optimists and Junior Handicap only one as the wind died out.

Matt Geddes reports on the Optimist:

Well done to Friday night's Oppy sailors.

Shame the wind didn't play ball meaning only one race could be run.

Great job by all those who raced: Sophie, Mollie, Alice, Daisy and Theo.

Congrats to Theo winning, great battling with Mollie who finished a close second.

Although not feeling quite ready to race, great to see Seb and Ted out sailing their Oppys with Ted giving a ride to Rory (another potential oppy sailor?)

Special congratulations to Alice who was awarded this weeks Oppy Helm of the Week.

Despite her best efforts Alice didn't quite finish the races last week. This week after a great start she quickly slipped to last place and was there for most of the race. An example to all her peers, she didn't give up and managed to reel in Daisy and Sophie and with a great move at the very last mark bagged herself a podium (3rd place). Brilliant effort Alice!

Of note, Sophie lost out to Alice's top overtake and got caught by the ever reducing wind. Heard to complain "even the ducks are faster than me now!" She showed wonderful sportsmanship in congratulating her competitors, another great example set to her peers... high 5 Sophie

In lieu of a second race the RO gave a ready steady "hoot" setting of a no rules race back from the start line to the jetty. Lots of paddling, pumping and giggling saw happy smiley faces land back on the jetties. Thanks John!

Mirrors: Tony M with Crews Oliver Adams & Elliot were in a match race against Matt Melling and Margo. The latter started first but finished second and the second race the results were the same. But it was close.

Junior Handicap: There was a Feva and a Pico out sailing but I can't see the results.

Saturday 2/5/26 Jubilee Pursuit Race - postponed to another day through lack of wind

Sunday 3/5/26 Spring Tidal 3&4 NW 8-10 Kts

Star: 4x Stars competing: John & Vi Dowler won both races.

Stars on Sundays class racing pic by Alan Jenkins

Hilbre: 5x Hilbres competing: Jemima, Chris and Nick in Hirondelle won both races from Chris Booth and Ian Clarke in Hie, second

Falcon: 10x Falcons competing: Richard Robinson, Angus Armstrong and Hollie Marston won both races, Jonathan Atkinson, Sam & Abbie Murphy in Night Hawk, second. Mal Jones in Isidor was third in the first race and John & Linda Burthem and Peter Healy in Hawk was third in the second race

Fast Handicap Dinghies: 13x boats competing (8x classes): the first race went to Dan Skinner (Int.Canoe), Neil Marsden & Eve Bromilow (420) 2nd, John Carlin & Thomas Teubner (Albacore) 3rd.

In the second race: Neil & Eve (420) won by 7 seconds on corrected time from Dan (IC) and Tony Clark (ILCA7) 3rd.

Early May Bank Holiday Monday 4/5/26: Tidal Special: 4-7Kts N going NW

General handicap racing on a windward leeward course. 2 Races. 16 x boats competing (8 x classes)

The Hilbre Hicotee sailed by Peter Bramley, Nigel Bramley and Emma Blake won the first race from Mike Hartley and Steve Bromilow in Falcon Hawkeye sailing two up on a lower handicap. Jean-Louis Simons (Finn) third.

It was Falcons first, second and third in the second race: Fist Hawkeye, Second Nighthawk Jonathon Atkinson, Sam and Abbie Murphy, third Harrier: Richard Robinson, Angus Armstrong and Pete Fisher.

Mike Harley and Steve Bromilow (Falcon 57) holding off Jean-Louis Simons (Finn87) in the Tidal Special on Monday 040526. Pic Tony Marston

Just after the start in the Tidal Special Monday 040526 com the Committee Boat. Pic Tony Marston

Mike Hartley winner of the Yalla Dalla Trophy
For the Bank Holiday Tidal Special.
Look after the Commodore and hell look after you.
Pic by Liz Potter

THE WILSON TROPHY

Team Racing Report from the Team Racing Gang

As Im sure you know the 77th Wilson Trophy is this weekend and 34 of the best teams in the world will be arriving to race for the coveted trophy.

West Kirby Sailing Club has entered 2 teams:

West Kirby Hawks: Andy Cornah, Dom Johnson and Ben Field crewed by Fi Harrington, Sophia Johnson and Tom Foster. They got to the quarter finals last year but they will be fighting all the way to be victorious in 2026.

WKSC: Jamie Marston, Jonny Cross and George Colquitt crewed by Amber Price, Sophie Gatenby and Tom Underwood. This team gives our local juniors a huge opportunity to race against the best in the world with 3 very experienced helms.

Please come down and support them - there will be some familiar WKSC faces in other teams as well !

The Fireflies await the WILSON TROPHY
pic by Alan Jenkins