In this issue: What's next with the Survey; Sailing Programme after Lockdown ends; Toppers Wanted; Duties; Amazing Open Day; PSA Testing; Ladies Sailng and a little bit about covid
So after a gap of three weeks - your newsletter is back and there is lots to read
A little bit about Covid
Until the Government confirm their final plans for lockdown easing, and our Governing Body - the RYA - give guidance, we cannot change any of the rules at the Club. So please continue to use the changing rooms sparingly, leave bags in the car, wear masks indoors, and check in with the NHS App. Hopefully by the time of the next newsletter, there will be more news.
Signal from the Sailing Secretary Sailing Programme
Assuming restrictions are lifted on the 19th July our sailing programme will change to a more familiar structure of Novice races on Saturdays at 1pm followed by a Pursuit and a General Handicap race. Sundays will have two GH races in the morning starting at 11am followed by another two GH races in the afternoon. The afternoon races are usually much less busy so perfect for new racers or new members who want to join our racing programme.
That will take us to the end of October. The full Sailing programme up to the end of the year can be found on the website, or by clicking the button below, but this may be subject to change, as in the autumn, there are a number of Open meetings and other special events so keep an eye on what’s coming up.
We are preparing a new Pursuit Race start sequence, so watch out on the website and on the board by the Course Board for that. More in the next newsletter.
For those who are new to the club or a little uncertain, have a quick look at Fraser’s guide to racing at Papercourt on the button below.
Congratulations – Spring Series Results
Whilst the Covid restrictions have persisted we have been running Sundays with 3 back-to-back races with all 31 races included and 16 to count. Congratulations to Mark Carleton in his RS Aero, followed by Amer Sarssam in his Scow, Andrew Hill Smith in his Laser and Mark Fuller being the first Solo in the line up. Well done to everyone who took part.
RYA Inspection
Although GCSE’s and A levels were again cancelled this year, as an RYA recognised training establishment we were still examined by the RYA to ensure we are doing everything right. Pleased to say we passed with flying colours with special thanks to Tom Key, our RYA Principle, for managing and prepping for the exam, supported by Chief Instructors, Fraser Hayden and Chris Granger also a mention all our instructors who “make it happen”. Great work by all – thank you.
Training Whilst junior training is ongoing on a Saturday morning the Adults have been training too. So far this year 58 Adults have taken part in training with another 28 booked on to sailing courses*, plus another 19 who are lined up to undertake training to become instructors over the next few weeks**, and further Power Boat courses lined up too. Huge congratulations to all our students on their achievements, and well done to our adult training team who have delivered to far greater numbers than usual as we try to catch up from everything that was delayed by covid.
* There are just a very very few training places left for Adult beginners in August. Contact training@papercourt-sc.org.uk asap if you are interested.
** one place left on the Dinghy Instructor Course which runs for five days from 16/8 with obligatory pre-assessment on 25th July. Contact Tom_key@hotmail.com if you are interested
Following a successful Powerboat Level 2 course earlier in the week we now have another 7 qualified PB2 members – well done.
And talking of Power Boat drivers and adult training……………………….
Power Boat Drivers can you help?
When we run adult training, we need a safety boat to stay nearby as the instructors are now back in the boats with learners. We have a number of Saturday morning and holidays courses arranged going forward, so if you have your PB2 Certificate, and want to hone your skills, we would be grateful if you could help us. Contact Tom on tom_key@hotmail.com if you could help out on any Saturday up to the end of September, or on 4-6 August or 25-26 August. - please note that this does not count towards the normal rostered club duties.
Desperately Seeking Toppers
With the influx of new junior members wanting to sail in the Topper groups on Saturday mornings, we are reaching out to see if anyone has an outgrown family Topper lurking in the boat park or in a garage that needs a new home. If it floats, has spars, foils and a sail there will be an interested family waiting to snap it up. Please contact Jeremy Riley on jeremyriley.uk@gmail.com if you can help more of our youngsters get afloat.
Duties up to December
A big thank you to all the members who have carried out their duties over the last few months especially to those have filled vacancies at the last moment or volunteered on several occasions.
The rota for July to December can be found now on the club website and we would ask that you volunteer for an appropriate duty as required under the club rules (one duty per Adult member in each half of the year). Please note that a Wednesday night counts as a ½ duty. The calendar is provisional and staffed on the basis of no ongoing covid restrictions. Vacant duties will be auto-allocated at the end of July.
For new members, details of each duty are on the website under the duties section or click the button below. They are not as daunting as they appear and other members will be happy to answer any queries at the time! Most new members start with OOD (Tea bar) or Safety Boat Crew or ARO which any member can undertake.
The Committee would like to thank everyone for their outstanding efforts which made our Open Day such a success on 26 June; we hope you enjoyed the day too.
“Friendly, welcoming, informative, relaxed, amazing range of boats and naughty!” (the cakes that is!)
Just some of the comments from the 300 plus visitors who enjoyed our hospitality and trips out on the water, some more than once!
There was a real buzz, it was great to see all sections of the club coming together and showcasing PSC; even the sun made an appearance.
We had 15 completed membership applications on the day and 8 who indicated they were considering joining and took forms away - this may be a new record.
Thanks also to everyone who was kind enough to bring delicious cakes for our visitors - always a Highlight!
Open Day - Did they enjoy the boats or the cake more??
Members Survey - What's Next
The Survey team have been busy analysing your comments and views and here are a few snippets:
'Training programme is fab - varied and with fantastic instructors.'
'love Ladies Sailing and cruising.'
'I think the new Tuesday morning sessions are a great idea'
'I personally like the Quiz nights and the odd bbq'
'surrounding area of entrance to club house could be a bit neater perhaps. but overall the club is fantastic!'
There is a wide variety of races so I can pick and choose when and what I want to do - excellent
There was more - so much more - and the various sub-committees will be taking a look at all the comments relevant to their specific activities, whilst the Main Committee will devote their next meeting to discussing all the more wide ranging suggestions and comments. We thank you for your time and input into helping the club going forward.
Ladies Sailing - next date Monday 2nd August
On Monday we had our July ladies sailing evening. There was a good turnout with 14 boats on the water and even more ladies as some boats had ‘bubbles’ of people. Everyone enjoyed their sail despite the shifty southerly wind dying and getting wet in the rain, a typical British summer! This was more than compensated for by a delicious BBQ (indoors) and opening the bar. Thank you to all our helpers.
The next ladies evening will be on Monday 2nd August and if the rules are relaxed by then we can once more offer taster sails for those who are nervous of sailing on their own. Please do come and join us in our friendly, relaxed, low testosterone environment.
If you would like a taster sail, or have any questions please get in touch.
Jackie - jackiebonella@aol.com
Gardening your Berth - a message from the House Committee
We can all agree that weed growth this year around the boat park has been exceptional. Work Group strimming parties are able to keep the main runways grass and weed low but operators stay clear of individual boat berths to respect owners' property.
It would be great if everyone could chop down the weeds growing in and around their own berths and you can even use the Club tools in Shed 2 if you need to. Ray Meerabeau, House Chair
PSA Testing at the Club - Thursday 22nd July from 7pm
REMINDER:
For all gentlemen members and friends over 40 to have a simple blood test to check the level of prostate antigen.
More information can be found on here, including how to sign up.
(Scroll down to the PSC one on 22nd July. The password is 'PRIVATE')
There is an optional charge of £12 to cover costs.
Did you know?
You can cruise on the lake on Tuesday mornings - but check calendar on website, Wednesday evenings from 6.30 - dusk until first week of September, Saturday afternoons, and all day Sunday. You can use the whole lake, but may choose to stay at the clubhouse end if there are fiercely contested races happening at the far end.
Every Wednesday Evening Cruising from 6.30 - Dusk
Tuesday Mornings Launch and Lunch but check website calendar first
New Late Summer Sailing programme from 24 July (subject to lockdown regs)
Ladies Sailing - 2nd August 6pm onwards
Sailability Restarts 30th July - (subject to lockdown regs)
Please do not unsubscribe as this is our best method of communicating with our members. If you are thinking of unsubscribing, please email newsletter@papercourt-sc.org.uk and have a chat with me about why you want to, and I will try to resolve any issues you may have, or delete you from the mailing list. Jenny Snow, Newsletter Editor
