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Op-eNews: the bi-monthly newsletter from IOCA (UK)
2014 Volvo Gill Spring Championships
Arrival Information
We are very much looking forward to a fantastic event at Royal Torbay Yacht Club this weekend. Torbay is beautiful with some fabulous sailing conditions and something for everyone ashore. The yacht club has bent over backwards to help us and the reception has been more inviting and friendly than we could possibly have hoped.

Like most seaside clubs, RTYC nestles in to the surrounding community and space is limited. As a class we will need to help each other and be patient with one another during arrival and departure. We will also need to be mindful of the local businesses around the harbour side.

We have prepared a map which shows the key areas, please study it and read the notes below prior to arrival as this will help to get the weekend off to the start that it deserves.

The most significant challenge to the weekend will be the arrival and departure. The space at the top of the slip way is limited at the best of times but this winter's storms have led to some unscheduled maintenance works which have cordoned off some additional areas. These may be cleared by the weekend but that is not guaranteed. Please try to remember these key points:
  • Unloading only at the top of the slip - really! In - drop - out, that's it!
  • Arrive with trolleys easily accessible.
  • Do not park blocking the access or we will get grid-locked.
  • Take Optimists to their coloured Zones on the sea wall. They will be labelled, park in the right zone.
  • Help each other and volunteer to come back to help others, many hand make quick unloading.
  • Be thoughtful to the local businesses (some lovely coffee shops for later)

Venue Map


Car parking


The club is up on a hill, between the slipway and the club there is a multi-storey car park above the shops. Both levels have been reserved for us for the weekend, the top level for camper vans and the middle level cars. There are approximately 60 spaces so absolutely no space for trailers (see below).  Car parking charges apply - pay and display - cash only.  There is additional parking in the town which is 5-10 minutes walk away.
 

Boat Parking


The optimists will be parked along the sea wall in a single row perpendicular to the wall. Boats will need to be parked strictly in colour group zones as tallying and launching will be by colour group on Saturday. Don't worry about being at the far end, it is only 200m and the sailors will be given plenty of time to launch in the morning.

In most conditions they will be more sheltered there than first appearances would suggest. There is no history of vandalism or theft from this area but it is a public area so we would recommend not leaving foils or sails in the boats overnight. There is a large chain running down the side of the wall which could be used to secure painters of padlocks to.
 

Trailer Parking


All trailers will need to be taken to Daddyhole Plain (see map). It is only 1/2 a mile away & we need to keep clear space around the slip.

REMINDERS


For many sailors, following a winter of training this may be their first major IOCA main fleet event.  Here are a few reminders for sailors and parents to help the event run smoothly
 

Tally Bands


Will be ORANGE. Please ensure all sailors
  • Know their Tally Number
  • Collect their tally band before going afloat
  • Return their tally band PROMPTLY when they come ashore


Group Colours


Please see the Colour Group & Tally list on the event website for your initial colour group Blue, Yellow, Red, White

When you arrive your boat will need to be parked in the correct colour bay on the harbour wall

At registration collect 2 of the correct coloured ribbons for your group
  • 1 ribbon is for the top of your sprit
  • 1 ribbon should have your sail number written on it and must be attached to your trolley
  • You may need to change ribbons for Sunday


Contact Numbers


The tannoy at the club is only audible in the bar and restaurant.  If we need to reach a parent we will need to call the mobile number you provided
  • Please check we have the correct number at registration
  • Please ensure you have your mobile with you
  • If you are leaving the site/will be on the water - please let the race office know who should be contacted if your sailor comes ashore

If you haven’t done so already, now is also the time to make sure you have:
 
  • Volunteered for a duty
  • Checked your buoyancy test is dated AFTER 30 March 2013
  • Packed your Optimist Log Book (with buoyancy certificate)
  • Named EVERYTHING!
  • Printed a copy of the Sailing Instructions
  • Read through all the relevant documentation on the website
  • Pack plenty of WARM clothes the sunshine can be deceptive (and doesn't last long - remember the weather at last year's Springs!)

SAFETY REMINDERS


Parents of all sailors are reminded that:

The slipway is across a busy main road from the club

NO climbing on the harbour wall

Only part of the sea wall has barriers - please take extra care especially when the wall is busy with optimists, sailors and rigs.
VOLUNTEER HERE
Sadly, there are still a huge number of spaces on the Volunteer Rota...

Drop Off / Unload / Loading  - Just some extra pairs of hands to make the drop off/pack up run more smoothly.
Registration  - Essential to check all the sailors are present & we have the correct details, plus someone to check in the ribs.
Measurers - You know who you are!
Tally Helpers - The sailors cannot go afloat until they have all tallied.  When the sailors return, the safety fleet cannot stand down until we are sure all sailors are safely ashore and accounted for! It's only a short job before the sailors launch, and when they come in, but it is essential.
Launch/Recovery - Waders optional! 4 oppies should be able to launch at  a time, much quicker with an extra pair of hands
Trolley Dollies - Quick removal of trollies back to their colour zones will ensure less congestion and quicker launching 
Pier Marshal - Just to keep an eye on things whilst the harbour wall is busy
Bridge - Sea Shore Communications
Mothership Helpers - Ideally one male and one female helper are needed each day. 
Commentary - Already out on the water - it would be great to have a point of contact for regular updates.
Recorders - Take down the sail numbers as they;re called out by the Caller! Essential for those all important results!
 
We do expect ALL families to help in some capacity during the weekend.  There are a HUGE number of volunteers behind the scenes - safety, race management, event management, results.  In many cases these volunteers have been working on the event for months beforehand; are first on site/last to leave; are out on the water all day/all weekend and often have other family members signed up for a role!

So, if you are not already signed up - Please use the Volunteer Button above.

CHANGING ROOMS


There is very limited changing space at RTYC (changing rooms are approximately the same size as those at Burghfield) .  We would highly reccommend that sailors arrived changed and ready for sailing.

If sailors are using the changing rooms - please ensure EVRYTHING that is not in use or being worn is put back into a closed bag.

Sailing Instructions have now been published on the Springs Webpage.

CATERING AT RTYC


Bacon or Sausage Baps available from Spinnakers Restaurant (upstairs) from 8.00 am on Saturday and Sunday. £3.00

Teas, coffees, snacks and light refreshments available throughout the day.

Sandwiches available to take on the water. £3.00

Pasta dish available for the sailors when they come off the water on Saturday and Sunday £1.80.

Curry or Lasagne available from 6.00 pm on Saturday.  £6.00

An order form for Pasta and Saturday Supper will be available at registration to help the caterers with numbers.
Van / Carpark Entrances

MOTORHOMES


Parking is available on the top floor of the carpark opposite the club.  Space is very limited - only a couple of spaces left.  Please complete the booking form on the Springs webpage and return as soon as possible.

Friday arrivals -please arrive after 2pm as there is no access until then (height restriction in place).

Safety RIBs


If launched at Torbay, RIBs will share the same unloading area and slip way as the Optimists, this area will be very congested.There an alternative slipway at Paignton, 4 miles (15 mins) by road but only 1.8nm back by water RIB. We have spoken to the harbour master there and he was very welcoming. There would be no launching fee for safety boats (he will have a list) and there is trailer parking available on the sea wall for around half a dozen trailers, the rest can come back to Daddyhole.

If you have a separate car and RIB driver, please please use Paignton, you will save yourselves time at both ends of the event and help to ease congestion and reversing trailers around the Optimists.
 

RIB Trailers


There is NO trailer parking at the harbour side. All Trailers will need to go to Daddyhole Plain (see map) just 5 minutes away.
 

Support RIBs


Support RIBs will not be able to launch at Torbay, please use Paignton. There will be a launch fee and berthing fees payable in Torbay harbour.

Route to Daddyhole Plain

Head southeast on Beacon Hill toward Parkhill Rd, Continue onto Parkhill Rd, Turn right onto Daddyhole Rd, Slight right to stay on Daddyhole Rd
Destination will be on the right.  Use low gate onright hand side.
IBI Sailing will be at Torbay for the Spring Championships. Our box trailer, with every conceivable Optimist spare part, will be located on the top level of the car park in front of the Club. If you need larger items such as foils, spars and sails, please let us know in advance.
Please contact Charles Ainsworth  Tel: 01243 513002
Peter Newton will be on the water taking photographs on Saturday, and will be displaying the photos for order, in the club on Sunday.
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