Weymouth
Sailing
Club

Whilst the years often feel shorter than anticipated, it is not often the case that we can refer back to specific weeks (or even days) with a level of clarity that we can now. Like book marks in time, we all remember where we were when we watched The Prime Minister’s now infamous address to the nation and our feelings at his words that have etched themselves into our collective psyche: “You must now stay at home”. Doubtless too, we all recall Her Majesty’s reference to the late Dame Vera Lynn’s “We’ll meet again” in her unprecedented peace time address to the nation.

The weather forecasters had poured scorn on any chance of the clubs traditional Boxing Day race with storm Bella ready to ruin the day.

The commodore spent more time poring over weather charts than he did pouring cream over his mince pies on Christmas day, hoping for a weather window.

So, Lockdown 2.0 ended. The dinghies tried and as usual the weather gods ensured they failed, and so it turned to the Keel Boats and Squibs to restart the delayed winter sailing at Weymouth Sailing Club.

Those who live north of Portland woke up to be greeted with a cold and frosty Sunday morning. Sometimes this would have put a few off, but after 4 weeks without sailing, there was a childish excitement among the cove pontoons on the morning of Sunday 6th December 2020, and no one even noticed the fickle NNE blowing, and it was only just above freezing. We all just wanted to go sailing!

Youth on Boats teams have 10 days left to register but so far Team Stow, Staple, Keedy & Wolff have raised £585. So many thanks to our donors from the Club, Portland Marina and from the friends & families of our youth members. For more information about the walk and how to make a donation please follow this link: https://gf.me/u/y3kddx

It was good to see so many members around the club last weekend. Many were to be found beavering away in both yards giving them a good tidy up under the gentle leadership of Graham May, Yard secretary.

Glorious sunshine, a moderate northerly breeze and neap tides made up the setting for Sunday’s race, in which an encouraging total of 24 boats competed in three classes. Weymouth bay never ceases to demonstrate just how perfect its racing conditions can be!

On 7 November 2020 the YOBs are taking part in a sponsored walk to raise funds jointly for CoastWatch and for themselves. Any money raised will be split equally between the two causes. The walkers will either walk from Portland Bill back to the Club, or for those with shorter legs from Portland Marina to the Club. The Marina have generously offered to provide a half way fuelling station for the walkers providing hot chocolate and cake. The CoastWatch to Club Walk will be run in full accordance with Government legislation in force on that date.

Well I didn’t expect that!

At the end of 2019 I had a quite specific objective for 2020. Having raced in the Junior Offshore Group (JOG) on and off since 2016, most of which has been on Arcsine, I decided that I wanted to do a full JOG offshore season. Of course that would have meant trying to find another boat or boats for those times that Kathy is double handed with someone else. I had a few leads ranging from a very laid back J120 to a class winning 1969 Sagitta 35.

26 September 2020

1. Following the Government’s announcements on 22 September and the introduction of ‘The Rule Of Six’, the Club has reviewed new legislation and guidance to consider any changes needed to the Club’s current Covid-safe practices.

2. With immediate effect, members should wear a face covering when inside any Club buildings (except when seated at a bar or galley table) and are reminded to follow the HANDS, FACE, SPACE guidance.

A last gasp cruise to rinse the last of the sun out of the summer was planned by fellow Achilles 9m owners for the week commencing 20th September. The plan was a lazy sail to Swanage on the Sunday morning with a convenient mid morning flood tide, then a wander across to Yarmouth next morning. It was planned to return on Wednesday.